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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island.

Waiheke is the largest island in the Hauraki Gulf. It lies about midway between Auckland and Coromandel, and covers an area of about 26,000 acres. Its shores are extremely broken, and contain many picturesque bays. The land, most of which is covered with healthy grass or native bush, is particularly suitable for sheep, of which large flocks are fattened there yearly. At the census of April, 1901, the population was 162—81 males and 81 females. Sheepfarming is the chief industry, and some of the holdings contain 5000 or 6000 acres. A store, post office, boardinghouse, a public hall, and school constitute the township. As a watering place Waiheke has long been popular and its scenic beauties, rural aspect, fishing grounds in sheltered waters, and shores clothed in native bush, attract hundreds of townspeople, who make it their summer haunt, while thousands patronise the excursions thither on summer holidays. Cowes Bay, on the eastern side of the island, where a jetty meets the steamer in deep water, and where sports are frequently held, is a favourite spot for excursionists, and on a summer's day crowds of pleasure yachts throng the waters of the bay, where a commodious boardinghouse provides accommodation for visitors, and there is a bicycle track in the neighbourhood.

Grey, Eliezer Birch, Settler, Waiheke Island; Post Office, Cowes. This gentleman, who is a relation of the late Sir George Grey, was born at Cloverhill, Moira, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1831, and was educated at Soldierstown in that county. His father intended him for the legal profession, and with that intention he entered the employment of Mr. John Rae, the celebrated Belfast solicitor, but remained with him only a short time. In 1852 he went to New York, America, and was engaged in business there for a couple of years. He then returned to Ireland, and remained there for two years, during which he married. In 1860 he emigrated to New Zealand, and arrived in Auckland by the ship “Northern Bride.” With the intention of devoting himself to farming, Mr. Grey bought a farm at Kaipara, but seeing better possibilities by being nearer the city, he afterwards sold his land and purchased his present estate at Waiheke Island, one of the most charming of the many beautiful places around Auckland. He owns about 1200 acres, on which he has erected a pretty homestead, where he and Mrs Grey dispense hospitality to their numerous Auckland friends. Mr. Grey worked most indefatigably at fencing and reclaiming his property, and in all this he was duly assisted by his family, as they grew up, a family consisting of two sons and two daughters. Mrs Grey was a thorough helpmate to her husband during the early struggles of his pioneer work, and is known and respected as one of the kindliest ladies on the island. Mr. Grey has been a consistent Liberal all through his life, but owing to his comparatively isolated position, he has not been able to take part in the political contests of the day.