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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Russell

page 565

Russell.

Russell, in the Bay of Islands County, was the first settlement and is the oldest town in New Zealand, and is situated on the shores of the beautiful island-studded bay. It was originally known by its native name of Kororareka, and as such it was sacked by the chief Heke in 1845. The Bay was a resort for whalers from the very early times of the fishery, and is also full of many interesting reminiscences. It was there that the first missionary station was established in 1814 by the Rev. Samuel Marsden, and the famous Treaty of Waitangi, which converted New Zealand into a British Colony, was signed in 1840 at Waitangi, a mission place on the shore opposite to Russell, which was also the seat of Government for some time. The chief resources of the Bay are coal from the mines of Kawakawa, kauri gum, timber, and whale fishing, though the latter is not so flourishing as it was in former times. There is very little general farm cultivation in the district, but both soil and climate are favourable to the growth of subtropical fruits, which will probably become the staple of a considerable industry in the near future. To tourists and holiday seekers, Russell presents many attractions in the way of scenery, fishing, inland excursions, and generally an easy enjoyment of life without care. Russell has comfortable hotels, a bank, four churches, and a public hall, library and school. Steamers call frequently, and the town possesses all postal and telegraph facilities.

The Post And Telegraph Office, Russell, Bay of Islands, is a single storey wooden building. Kawakawa is thirty miles distant and Opua four miles by water.

Mr. John Hollywood, Postmaster at Russell, was born in Dublin in 1859, and came to New Zealand per ship “May Queen” in 1873. He entered upon his duties at Russell in 1895.

Blow Hole, Hokianga Heads.

Blow Hole, Hokianga Heads.

Masefield Bros, (John Masefield and Alexander Masefield), Fish, Fruit, and Meat Preservers, Russell, Bay of Islands. Auckland agents, Seegner, Langguth and Co. Branch at Batley. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. This firm's business was established by Mr. Joseph Masefield at Helensville in 1883, but he removed the following year to Batley. In 1885 the business was taken over by Messrs. Masefield Bros., who carried on a steadily increasing trade there for four years, when they in turn removed to Russell. The freehold comprises 200 acres on which are erected the residences of the brothers, and the works which consist of six buildings occupy an acre of ground. The factory is built of wood and iron with a total floor space of 1600 square feet. It is fifted up with all the latest American machinery and all the requisites for carrying on large operations. The machine-room adjoining the factory has a five horse-power engine by Masefield, of Auckland; there are also machines, presses and dies for making tins of all shapes and sizes, such as guillotines, rolling, seaming, floating and crimping machines. All the cooking is performed by steam in a separate room, where the tins are filled, washed and thoroughly tested by a special process; they are then
Hanna, photo.Mr. J. Masefield.

Hanna, photo.Mr. J. Masefield.

page 566 sent on to the store-room, where they are lacquered, labelled, and packed ready for export. There is storage capacity for 1000 cases, but the demand for Messrs. Masefield Bros.' “Star” brand mullet is so great that the store-room never gets full. The most popular size is the one pound tins, of which a stock of over 10,000 is kept ready for filling. The firm import all the necessary materials for preparing their products for the market. The fish-house is twenty-five feet in length and well fifted up with benches and vats. Very special atten tion being given to the cleansing department, salt water is pumped into the fishhouse and the fish thoroughly washed and inspected before being sent to the smoke-house. Smoked fish forms a not inconsiderable portion of the firm's trade, their “Star” brand kippered mullet and schnapper being well known. Besides preparing fish for the market, Messrs. Masefield Bros, can beef and fruit to a large extent, but though they are in a position to preserve all the raw materials placed in their hands, the want of sufficient supply is the main difficulty. They have succeeded in working up a fine trade, not only in New Zealand, but with the South Sea Islands and the Old Country; their products have stood the test of the extremes of climate and have reached a very high standard of excellence. Messrs. John and Alexander Masefield, the proprietors, are sons of Mr. Joseph Masefield, the founder of the firm, and were born at Kaipara in the years 1866 and 1869, respectively. They there entered the business which subsequently became known as Messrs. Masefield and Sons, and in 1885 the firm having removed to Batley, the brothers took over the concern. Prior to their arrival on the East Coast of the North Island, fish canning had long been looked upon as a most unprofitable industry. Messrs. Masefield Bros., however, succeeded in dispelling that illusion for their “Star” brand is a household word throughout the North and in many other parts of New Zealand.
Hanna, photo.Mr. A. Masefield.

Hanna, photo.Mr. A. Masefield.

Masefield Bros.' “Star” Preserving Works.

Masefield Bros.' “Star” Preserving Works.

Trade Mark.

Trade Mark.

Joyce, Thomas, Settler, Paihia, Russell. Mr. Joyce was born in the Bay of Islands in 1832, and spent the first twenty years of his life at the mission stations, chiefly under the care of Rev. T. Burrows. During Heke's war, Mr. Joyce was an eye witness of many stirring scenes; he saw the cutting down of the Flag Staff at Russell, and also the engagements at Ruapekapeka. Mr. Joyce has a vivid recollection of the landing of Bishop Selwyn in 1846, and his progress to Waimate. He has about 200 acres of land at Paihia and also two fine cottages which are brought largely into requisition during the summer months, by visitors to the seaside. Mr. Joyce is married and has five sons and seven daughters.

Mr. T. Joyce.

Mr. T. Joyce.

Mrs. Hannah King Letheridge, who resides near Russell, and is said to be the oldest living white woman born in New Zealand, was born at Ohihi, Bay of Islands, in 1815, and is the daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Hansen, whose father brought the first missionaries from Sydney to New Zealand page 567 in 1814, per brig “Active.” Mrs. Letheridge's father was associated with the Rev. Samuel Marsden and the early missionaries, and was highly respected by the natives, who in times of tribal warfare protected his family from molestation. It was no uncommon thing for Mrs. Letheridge to be an eye-witness of the cannibalism of the Maoris, who, after a fight, brought captives to their feasting ground on the beach adjoining the residence of the Hansens, and there killed and cooked their victims. Mrs. Letheridge resided at Ohihi till 1830, when she went to live at a native settlement called Koutu. Her first husband was the late Captain Clapham, to whom she was married in 1837. They bought land in Kerikeri, where they lived peaceably till Heke's war broke out and put the whole country in a blaze. Captain Clapham returned to Sydney with his wife and for many years was a successful whaler, but he was lost with his ship in 1855. Two years later his widow was married in Sydney to Mr. Jeremiah Letheridge, who purchased a large piece of land at Purerua, which he farmed up to the time of his death in 1881, when Mrs. Letheridge removed to her present residence. For a woman of her years, Mrs. Letheridge is remarkably active. She does all her own work, and a well-kept kitchen garden bears evidence to her industry.