Individual Details

Residence

Reminiscences of Elizabeth HANNCKEN (continued from "Emigration")

"Father chose Coromandel as it was then being spoken of as being the
intended capital of New Zealand, and he there opened a store, the
Maoris being his only customers. At the same time father went into the
timber cutting business but also for the supply of split shingle, and
for this purpose he acquired the timber cutting rights from the native
owners of the different blocks of land.
I have in my possession an agreement dated 16 October 1840 in which
father purchased the whole of the standing timber Blocks Kopouri,
Kopare, Karapa, and Koraniumu and the consideration embodied in the
agreement is as follows:- Two boxes of Cartridges, Ten Blankets,
Twenty Gowns, Ten Waistcoats, Three Coats, Two Clocks, Three Muskets,
Twenty pounds of Soad, Six Garden Hoes and Ten pounds of Tobacco; the
total value being set at 48 pounds, six shillings.
This agreement is signed and witnessed, the owners each affixing the
mark X, and being Tako, Horaka, Ora Bette, and Rangate Boo.
It was very difficult in those days either to understand the natives
or make yourself understood, and in this respect I have recollection
of an incident which nearly led to serious trouble. Father remarked to
an old chief that his head was as white as flour, which remark the
native took to mean his head was fit to be eaten like flour. So vexed
did the old chief become that he brought the whole of the tribe, who
threatened to burn the store. The trouble was only quelled by father
handing over to the Maoris all kinds of produce and goods as "utu" or
payment for the insult.
The only means father had of conveying his goods from Auckland was by
a whale boat and on one occasion he was overtaken by a gale and had to
run up the Thames for safety and landed at night on what proved to be
a burial ground, for which offence more "utu" was demanded. For this
Father was compelled to hand over the entire contents of the boat, and
he and his mates were glad to get away with their lives and their
boat.
We lived at Coromandel for about five years, during which time Father
purchased certain lands from the natives, But when Govenor Hobson
selected Auckland as the capital, Father exchanged his Coromandel
properties for three pieces of land he received from the Government,
namely, two pieces near Freeman's Bay and six acres in Kyber Pass, now
the site of the Great Northern Brewery Co."
(reminiscences continued under "residence in Queen Street, Auckland").

Emigration

Left Sydney, Australia per "Diana" with her mother, Eliza OTTO,
landing at Kororareka, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand. Her
father, Frederick HANNCKEN had emigrated two years earlier in 1838.
Moved the same year and settled in Coromandel.

Reminescences from Elizabeth HANNCKEN
It was in the year 1840, I being then 2 years of age, when my mother,
my grandmother, and myself journeyed from Sydney in the ship "Diana"
to join my father in Auckland, he having preceded us some twelve
months previously and was settled at Coromandel.
Father chose Coromandel as it was then spoken of as being the intended
capital of New Zealand. (reminiscences continued under "residence in
Coromandel").

Residence

Reminiscences of Elizabeth HANNCKEN (continued from "Residence at
Coromandel")

"We lived at Coromandel for about five years, during which time Father
purchased certain lands from the natives, But when Govenor Hobson
selected Auckland as the capital, Father exchanged his Coromandel
properties for three pieces of land he received from the Government,
namely, two pieces near Freeman's Bay and six acres in Kyber Pass, now
the site of the Great Northern Brewery Co."
I recollect when for a long while Queen Street was simply a track
along the banks of a creek known as "Ligar's Canal", but more
frequently called "Ligar's Folly".
The principal street in those days was Shortland Street, but then
known only as the Crescent, and Mrs Henderson (Henderson & McFarlane)
kept an hotle on the same corner now occupied by the Commercial Hotel.
Outside this hotel I have witnessed many dreadful riots between
sailors and returned soldiers back from the Bay of Islands war; all
having their liberty for two or three days at a time, and of course
all having plenty of drink in the meantime. When such rows occured it
was frequently necessary for all the shopkeepers in the vicinity to
put up their shutters and bolt the shop doors. I remember on one of
such occasions when Mrs Henderson was endeavouring to close the hotel
doors against the drunken crowd she was so severely injured that she
almost lost her life.
In a like manner probably others will remember, as I do, the incident
whereby a chemist in West Queen Street (now Swanson Street) was nearly
killed by one of those drunken mobs.
While speaking of some of the undesirable features of early Auckland I
am reminded of the old gaol which was situated at the corner of Queen
St and Victoria St on the site now occupied by the City Chambers. I
can clearly remember the Guard Room on the corner, and the Supreme
Court House on the same site fronting Queen Street. The stocks where
the inebriates were punished were on the footpath next to the Guard
Room, and I've seen drunks of both sexes with their lega in the stocks
and they thus forming amusement to all passer-by, and also good
targets at which the boys pelted rubbish.
The gallows for the execution of murderers was erected in Victoria
Street outside the boundary of the gaol property in a conspicuous
place where it could be viewed by anyone from the street. I remember
seeing the gallows, but I never saw an execution, although it was
customary for such events to attract large crowds of both sexes.
I remember the murder at Devonport, when Captain Snow, his wife and
daughter, were murdered at his home at the corner of Beach Road and
Grey Street. Burns, the murderer, was conveyed from the gaol to the
boat in a cart, he sitting on his own coffin, and sitting by him was
the Rev. Churton. The murderer was taken to Devonport and hanged on
the site of the tragedy.
Murders and crimes were very common in the early days, and in some
respects the early pioneers of Auckland had some black experiences in
addition to destressing bad times. However there were other sides to
the picture, and many enjoyable experiences which made life worth
living and have left happy recollections.
I often allow my thoughts to dwell on the memory of some of the past
enjoyable times, there being always an abundance of amusements,
especially during the holiday seasons. Oh those happy Christmas times,
when everyone abandoned care and stove to make everyone else enjoy
themselves.. Every shop would be one mass of decoration of Ounga and
Pohutukawa bloom.
And those good old time picnics down the Harbour, when the influential
business man did not consider it below his dignity to assume the role
of a clown to assist to creating fun.
I remember on the occasion of one of those jolly gatherings when we
were dancing the old fashion country dances to the music of a violin
played by Fathe, who asked us how we enjoyed the apple pie for lunch,
which we all agreed was lovely. "I had a job to make it spin out" said
Father, "for that clumsy Maori there put his foot in it."
I derived a great deal of pleasure in the early days from music, all
our family were fond of it and all could play some instrument and
fairly good vocalists. I was a member of the Auckland Choral society
when I was only a growing girl, and continued my membership long after
I was married.
After a few years in Auckland, Father opened a business in Queen
Street on a portion of the site now occupied by the Bank of New
Zealand, and as the nature of his business brought us in close touch
with the Maori, we all became good native scholars, which added
greatly to the success of the business.
Mother used to employ some of the soldiers' wives sewing and making
gowns for the Maori women, and as the soldiers' pay was very small,
the women were glad of the opportunity of earning a little, although
they only received sixpence per gown for their labour.
I am now 78 years of age, therefore I have been in Auckland 76 Years
and I have never been out of New Zealand since my arrival.
I often reflect on the past days and wonder at the great changes that
have come to pass and the rapid progress the city of Auckland has
made, and I think it is a blessing that the present generation are not
called upon to endure the hardships of the early settler.
I have never had any desire to leave New Zealand and especially
Auckland. I think it is a lovely country, and in it no one should
starve. This is a great thing to be able to say of any country, and it
more than compensates for the hardships and trials of the early
settler.
God bless New Zealand."

Interests

From the "Reminisances of Elizabeth Hanncken"

"I derived a great deal of pleasure in the early days from music, all
our family were fond of it and all could play some instrument and were
fairly good vocalists. I was a member of the Auckland Choral society
when I was only a growing girl, and continued my membership long after
I was married."

Marriage

BARTLEY - HANNKEN On Monday 16th February 1859, by Rev A McDonald, Mr
Edward Bartley, to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr Frederick Hannken
of Auckland.

The New Zealander
19 Feb 1859

Residence

1845 moved from Coromandel to Auckland (date uncertain - it may have
been 1842)
Family home was in Queen Street and Queen Street West.

Census

Residence: Devonport. Occupation: Domestic Duties

Death

Certified Copy of Entry of Death in the Register-General's Office,
Place of Registration: Devonport, #20564
When Died: 28 December 1921
Where Died: Victoria Road, Devonport.
Usial Place of Residence: Victoria Road, Devonport
Name and Surname: Elizabeth Bartley
Profession: Widow
Sex & Age: F. 83
Causes of Death and intervals between onset & death: Influenza Heart
Failure 14 days
Medical Attendant By whom certified & date last seen alive: H C
Bennett 27 December 1921
Name & Surname of Father: Frederick Hannchen
Name & Surname of Mother: Elizabeth Hannchen
Maiden Surname of Mother: Otto
Profession of Father: Draper
Where and when buried: 28 December 1921 O'Neill's Point Cemetery
Where born: Sydney, New South Wales
How long in NZ: 82 years
Where married: Auckland
At what age married: 21
To whom married: Edward Bartley
Age of Widow: -
Ages and sex of living issue: M 61 58 45 F 52 46 44