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Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies, Volume 2, Issue 1, 1987

Mabin or Maiben

Mabin or Maiben

Someone has pointed out to me that, whereas the article I wrote for the Journal on Newstead (Volume 1 No. 5) referred to the house in Manuka Street as the former home of W.F. Maiben, the Nelson College Old Boys' Register spells that name as W.F. Mabin.

There are five editions of the Register, dated 1900, 1909, 1925, 1955 and 1981. The first and second editions were written by Mr Harold Moore, who reprinted a facsimile of the original advertisement from the Examiner of 22 March 1856.

This describes the house, rather quaintly, as 'the late residence of Mr Maiben'. This facsimile is repeated in all the editions of the Register.

I have a letter from the late Mr W.F. Airey, in which he said that he had a snuff box, engraved with the name of W.F. Maiben. In case that was not proof enough, I found in the Library the Examiner of 1856 and there was 'the late residence of Mr Maiben'.

Apparently Harold Moore, knowing the family of Mabins, assumed that the Examiner had spelled the name wrongly. I am assured by a descendant of the well-known family of Mabin, that their forefather built the house at 98 Nile Street, now owned by the Bridge Club. Near the front door the name Mabin House is retained.

The Maiben of Manuka Street is not related to the Mabin of Nile Street.