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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Ellerslie

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Ellerslie.

Ellerslie is situated about two miles to the east of Mount Eden, and borders on the eastern extremity of Remuera, of which it is really a continuation even in the matter of its scenic characteristics. The Ellerslie racecourse, situated on the western boundary of the district, and occupying a small area of level country amidst surrounding hills, is reputed to be one of the best in the colony. There is one commodious hotel in the district, which all round gives promise of a prosperous future.

Ellerslie Public School. This school has been established ever since the Education Act came into force. A number of years ago the old building was sold, as it proved too small to accommodate the children of the district. A new site consisting of three acres was purchased by the Board of Education and a new school erected at a cost of over £1000. The building contains three large rooms and two class rooms, and the former are built to accommodate eighty scholars in each. The number on the roll at present is 158, with an average attendance of 128. The staff consists of the headmaster, an assistant, and two pupil-teachers. Ellerslie was the only public school that gained the gold medal (first and special award) for freehand, model and geometrical drawing, at the Auckland Exhibition of 1898–99.

Mr. Evan Richards Lillington, Headmaster, Ellerslie School, is a native of Southampton, and was trained for the teaching profession at a very early age at the Wareham national school. At the time of his passing the preliminary examinations he was only thirteen. After passing the usual examinations, he went to South Africa, where he remained for five years as headmaster of the Paarl and Kaffir College, Cape Town. On his return to England, he was engaged as assistant and headmaster respectively in large London schools. After ten years of London experience, he sailed for Sydney, New South Wales, where he was appointed assistant master to the Wesley College, Parramatta River. Thence he was appointed first assistant to the model school, South Australia, but he found the climate too trying, and decided to come over to New Zealand, where he has been engaged for more than twenty years. His last school under the Wellington Board, was the largest in the province, namely, the Newtown school, which he gave up to visit England. On his return to the Colony, he decided to make Auckland his home, and was appointed to the Tauranga school, which he left to enter his present appointment at Ellerslie. Many of Mr. Lillington's old boys are in prominent positions in various parts of the world.

Hanna, photo.Mr. E. R. Lillington.

Hanna, photo.Mr. E. R. Lillington.

Ellerslie Hotel (Thomas Enwright, proprietor), Ellerslie. This hotel is situated opposite the Railway Station, in the pretty suburban township of Ellerslie, about five miles from the city of Auckland, on the man south line. The building is of two stories, with a promenade balcony. There are stables attached to the hotel. Under the capable management of its proprietor, the Ellerslie Hotel has become very popular with visitors and travellers.

Mr. Enwright, the present Proprietor, was born in Kerry, Ireland, in 1859, and when he came to New Zealand in 1877 he made the province of Auckland his home. He was engaged in various callings for some years, and his first experience in hotel keeping was at Mercury Bay. After selling his business there he went to the Thames, where he engaged in mining, but returned to Auckland a few years later. He was then for some time in charge of the Northcote Hotel, whence he went to the Thames, where he took the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, which he sold at the end of twelve months, to buy the Wharf Hotel, which he carried on till 1897, when he again sold out, and took over the Thistle Hotel in Queen Street, whence he moved into his present house. Mr. Enwright has for many years been a prominent member of the Waikato Lodge of Oddfellows, and he takes a great interest in football and athletics generally. He married Miss O'Reilly, an early resident of the Thames, and they have seven children.

Hanna, photo.Mr. T. Enwright.

Hanna, photo.Mr. T. Enwright.