THE HISTORICAL BOROUGH OF PONSONBY AND GREY LYNN: STREET NAMES
WARNOCK STREET Robert, James, William and Richard Warnock were born in Belfast and emigrated to Auckland on 21 October, 1862. They must have regarded New Zealand as a land of opportunity because, in the same year they set up a soap and candle manufacturing business, first in Newton, before moving to Chapel Street, which was eventually re-named Federal Street. At the time there was only one other like manufacturer in Auckland, the Parnell Steam Soap and Candle Works, owned by a Mr Allender. Both enterprises were down to the vision of individuals who recognised the proverbial ‘gap in the market’. Previously, every pound of soap for sale was imported from England or Melbourne. The English product was expensive and the Melbourne ‘stuff’ had a disgusting smell. Good soap was a luxury but thanks to these two manufacturers, soon every family had a plentiful supply of a very good product. The Warnocks produced from 30 to 40 tons of soap a month and obtained the certificate of merit at the New Zealand Exhibition held in Dunedin in the 1870s even though the factory was operating in cramped conditions in a densely populated area. Despite this drawback, the trade carried out in the plant was the largest in the colony. Success brings prosperity and the Warnocks moved their factory from the city to the banks of Cox’s Creek in Grey Lynn. They also purchased one acre, two roods and 35 perches from James Boylan for the princely sum of £150. The Crown grant for the land had been accorded to a Mr Christie in 1844 who sold it on within two years. Boylan bought it in 1864 but there seems to have been no development on the site prior to the Warnocks’ purchase in 1874. Already many companies in the area round Cox’s Bay were slaughter houses, tanneries and tallow works. Fat from slaughtered animals was used to make the soap and candles. Horse drawn wagons containing the tallow would pull up the Bullock Track on the way to the Warnocks’ factory, which had expanded rapidly to include 20 acres, a large tannery, oil works, wool-scouring, and manure production. It employed more than 60 hands and sent produce around the colony as well as exporting to the South Pacific Islands. The two principal partners were Robert, who looked after the day to day running of the operation, and Richard who attended to the firm’s interests at offices in Durham Street. James and William were also involved. A double-storey concrete single-bay villa at 350 Richmond Road was built for and lived in by Richard Warnock and the almost identical house at 334 Richmond Road was occupied by Robert Taylor Warnock. Richard married Mary Finlay in 1872 and birth records indicate they had at least six children between 1873 and 1890. Mary Warnock died in 1899 aged 48 and was survived by her husband Richard who died in 1924 at the age of 82. Robert eventually took office on the Newton Road Board, serving as chairman for 13 years. When the borough’s name changed to Grey Lynn he was elected mayor. There were only 80 people living in the district when Robert entered public life and 27 years later when he was re-elected in 1901, the number had expanded to more than 4000. 0n 6 April, 1903 a gathering took place at his residence where councillors and officials of the borough assembled to make a presentation to Robert on his retirement from the mayoral chair. They had met to demonstrate their appreciation of the time and energy he had devoted to the welfare of the borough and presented him with ‘handsome silver tea and coffee service of five pieces, artistically chased, each having engraved on it the initials of the Mayor”. Mr Warnock’s political record was unique in that he had been elected 26 times as member and chairman of the old Road Board, or councillor and mayor of the borough, and about four times as licensing commissioner and he was top of the poll on every occasion. PN Robert Taylor Warnock died in 1934, aged 90 years. (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F
140 PONSONBY NEWS+ November 2014
A WOMAN’S WORK Celia Faris’ creative talents are split between work and home. As a creative force for James Dunlop Textiles she enjoys her days working in the world of fabrics and wall coverings. In her own time, her well honed skills are put to work renovating property. No stranger to hard work, Celia and her sister Greer Clayton caught the renovating bug early as there were school holiday jobs painting and decorating in the family business. All that early training has paid off, and both women enjoy lives full of art and design. Celia’s home, purchased two years ago after a long hunt for just the right vibe eventually paid off. A stunning 1960s property was the result; it was ripe for development and still in its original state, offering great bones and many classic 1960s features. After two years of exhausting and exciting work, the end result is a home as stylish and contemporary as it is cool and chic. Celia’s flair for just the right mix of mid century and modern makes this a home to die for. Every room has been stripped bare and re-thought. The modernist architecture offers two wings, one housing the bedrooms, bathroom and study while the other is used for the living, while taking in the city views. Most of the furniture and accessories are custom designed by Celia and the hand PN stencilled walls and art are from her talented sister Greer. F For more information call Elaine Fergusson, T: 09 376 2186 M: 0275 345 024 elaine.fergusson@raywhite.com www.raywhite.co.nz
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