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Wellington Boots, Wellington (2026)

21/06/2026

Performing Fleas | Exchange Hall 1889

21st September 1889 was the day the circus rolled into town. The flea circus.

‘The fleas are of a Russian variety, and are much larger than the ordinary kind.’

For the adult ticket price of 1 shilling, audiences could witness fleas performing at the word of command, fencing with swords, driving vehicles, drag models of ships ‘and other remarkable things.’

‘On a table enclosed by a fence of glass may be seen a miniature hansom cab. On the box seat is perched a sedate looking flea, holding a whip and reins. In the shafts of the cab is a flea of the lively species, who answers to the name of Jack. At the word of command Jack starts off in real earnest and drags that cab across the able at a rapid rate.’

Accompanying the flea performance was ‘the Cyclorama’ – beautifully painted and realistic pictures of the Battle of Waterloo, defence of Rorke’s drift, the surrender at Sedan and the hurricane at Samoa. In an age when entertainment typically had to be created by the family at the home, this would have been an affordable diversion for the many who thronged to the twice daily performances.

A week later, the proprietor added the following to the show, creating a new reason to visit:

‘As a special attraction waxworks will be on view, representing notable persons in the murdering and other professions, guaranteed true to life. Also there will be shown a kitten with two bodies, two tails and eight legs, four baby alligators; and various other remarkable things “two numerous to mention”.

The 5th October was the last day of performances for the fleas and the exhibition was packed up. It opened in Christchurch on 12th October.

A note on flea circuses: the first recorded circus was performed in the 1820s. The technique may use either real fleas harnessed with a gold or copper wire around their neck or fake fleas with the use of electrical, magnetic and mechanical devices coupled with lose real fleas to maintain the illusion.

Image:

Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.). The wonderful performing fleas! The world's greatest novelty! The biggest wonder of the age! / Printed at the Evening Post Office, Willis Street, Wellington, [ca 1889].. Ref: Eph-C-VARIETY-1889-01. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23196522

14/06/2026

Madame Manning | Scientific Palmist in Willis Street 1894

The first advertisement for Madame Manning’s services appeared on 3rd April 1894.

‘Wanted Known – Scientific Palmist, past, present, and future may be consulted at 132*, Upper Willis-street.’

The enterprise did not last long. On 19th April, a detective and a constable in plain clothes visited the premises pretending to be customers. Business was brisk and the two men had to wait a little.

Eventually Detective Herbert’s turn came and he was called behind the screen. He asked to have his fortune told and a magnifying glass was used by Madame Manning to examine his hand. Madame said Herbert had a very good hand and based on the lines on his hand, he would probably live until the age of 90, that he would inherit money, prosper and become wealthy. He was also told that he was upright and honest. For this information, he was asked to pay a fee of 2s 6d.

Madame Manning was then charged with being a fortune teller and the case was heard at the Supreme Court in June. Mr Skerrett represented the accused, also known as Charles Percy Manning.

‘His Honor: Was there any suggestion about ladies in your future?
No, he did not make any mention of ladies in my case at all. (Laughter).’

The jury spent only a short time deliberating and returned a verdict of not guilty. Manning was discharged. No further trace of Charles Manning or Madame Manning can be found in New Zealand records.

*other advertisements noted that 132 Upper Willis Street was part of the same premises as W. Jupp, wood turner. WCC Archives hold a consent application for Jupp Bros. altering a verandah at 155 Willis Street, later known as 153 Willis Street. It is presumed this is the location that Madame Manning operated from. The building was demolished in 2010.

Image:
Looking north along Willis Street, Wellington, from the vicinity of the Dixon Street intersection, showing in the foreground the premisies of Tustin & Godber, painters, decorators and paperhangers, with a signwriter making additions to the sign on the side of the building. Photograph taken between 1894 and 1899 by Henry Brusewitz.
(Ref: Willis Street, Wellington. Brusewitz, Henry Elis Leopold, b ca 1855 :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-001012-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22805368)

07/06/2026

The Nairn Street Tragedy | Louisa White shot in 1916

On 27th March 1916, Ernest Devoin drove to Wellington in preparation for his upcoming wedding. He had planned to stayed at the home of his fiancé, Louisa White. She worked as a sewing machinist and lived with her mother and step-father in a house in Devon Street. At about 9pm, Ernest suggested that he and Louisa go for a walk.

They walked to the Nairn Street Reserve (Park) so that they could have a private conversation. Ernest was distressed about his business affairs. He had previously told Louisa he was a hairdresser in Foxton with his own shop, but the truth was that he was a cook at a flaxmill. By about 9:45pm the wind had picked up, and Louisa suggested they go home. Next came the sound of a gunshot and she realised that she had been shot in the back. She fell to the ground. A second shot was heard immediately afterwards by those living in the area. Several telephone calls were received by the Mount Cook police reporting the disturbance.

Seargeant E.W. Scott and Constable Barns made their way to the scene and found Ernest lying in a pool of blood on the slope in the reserve nearest to Bidwill Street. He was unconscious and they observed what appeared to be a self-inflicted bullet wound in the right temple. Louisa was a few feet away and bleeding profusely. The couple were taken to the hospital. Ernest remained unconscious, but Louisa could provide the police with a few details of what had happened.

In the days after the event, it was reported that there was little hope of Ernest’s recovery. The bullet fired at Louisa had lodged in her spine, but ‘No immediate danger was apprehended in her case.’

Ernest was charged two days later with attempted murder and attempting to take his own life. He was placed under arrest at the hospital. While Ernest’s condition began to improve, Louisa remained in a critical state throughout April. She died at Wellington Hospital on 14th May. The coroner returned a verdict that her death was caused by ‘a septic condition and extreme wasting resulting from the damage done to her spinal cord.’ The charge against Ernest was changed to one of murder.

At the opening of the trial at the Supreme Court in October, Ernest refused to enter a plea. The judge, Justice Chapman, ordered a plea of ‘not-guilty’ be recorded. At the trial it was revealed that Ernest had married another woman (Maria Bailey) in Auckland in 1914, while engaged to Louisa. Ernest and Maria had separated, but not divorced. This was not known by Louisa or her family.

Mr Wilford, for the defence, said this was a case based on circumstantial evidence, and that Ernest was infatuated with Louisa. Rather then commit bigamy and ‘wrong’ her, it was ‘reasonable to assume that he would prefer to commit su***de, fire at himself, and miss, and the bullet strike the girl in the back.’

The judge asked the jury to consider ‘Was it an accident, or was it a crime?’. After four hours of deliberating, the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter, with a recommendation that Ernest receive the maximum penalty. The judge inferred that based on their recommendation, the jury had great difficulty in arriving at their verdict. He addressed Ernest and said ‘I have to consider not what punishment to inflict, because I really do not know how to inflict punishment, but what measure to take to satisfy the conscience of the public, and secure other women for the future against a recurrence of this apparently motiveless act.’ Ernest was sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for the rest of his life.

Ernest was sent to Mount Eden prison. Maria finally divorced Ernest in 1924. He was released on licence in 1932. No further trace can be found of him. He may have returned to Australia where he was born. His full named was Ernest Charles Jewell Devoin (or De Voin).

Louisa was buried at Karori Cemetery. Her mother and step-father were buried with her at their deaths in 1932 and 1937 respectively.

References:
Nairn Street Tragedy. (1916, March 30). Dominion, 6.
Nairn Street Tragedy. (1916, October 3). Dominion, 11.
Nairn-Street Tragedy. (1916, May 17). Evening Post, 2.
Sensational Tragedy. (1916, March 28). Manawatu Herald, 3.
The Nairn St. Tragedy. (1916, May 15). Dominion, 6.
The Nairn Street Tragedy. (1916, October 5). Dominion, 6.

31/05/2026

German Internees | Somes Island 1914-1918

In August 1914, Somes Island in Wellington harbour was appointed as a place of interment for prisoners of war arrested in New Zealand. To maintain security, any vessel that went within half a mile of the island was at risk of being fired on. The first 90 prisoners were initially held at Alexandra Barracks and then marked down to the wharf to be taken by steamer to the island.

‘Among the German residents who were arrested this week in Wellington and taken away to Somes Island as prisoners of war was Mr Paul Dietrich, who some time ago started a business on Lambton-Quay as a ladies’ tailor. One could not but feel strong sympathy for the slight, blonde, rather fragile little man who had done no one any harm and has had a hard struggle to establish himself in business. He has fought bravely against adverse circumstances and just as his skill as tailor was coming to be recognised, war breaks out and down comes the hand of the Law, grips him by the arm and hales him away to Somes Island, all because Kaiser Bill can only see red and Paul Dietrich has had the misfortune to be born in Germany.’ (Free Lance, 15 August 1914)

By 1916, number of prisoners of war on Somes Island included 215 Germans, 20 Austrians, 1 Hungarian, 1 Turk, 2 Bulgarians, 1 American and 6 naturalised subjects of other countries. Of this number, 24 were military prisoners.

Prisoners could take up employment when it was available and were paid 3s per day. In 1916 some of the prisoners constructed additional accommodation for the prison guards. A small number worked in the cookhouse. Others used their time to make fancy boxes, walking-sticks, models of ships, cribbage boards, canvas shoes and fancy ornaments. Some prisoners keep chickens and others do gardening.
For exercise, the prisoners were are required to march around the island at certain times. They were allowed to swim in the sea in certain areas, whenever they liked between 6am and 6pm.

In August 1918, four German internees disappeared in the early hours one morning. A search was made but the authorities were satisfied that the men had not escaped in a boat. As the weather was also very tempestuous that night, they also presumed the men had not attempted to swim to the mainland. The four men reappeared within the wire three days later without explanation, rather hungry. They had hidden under the floor of their accommodation building. Their punishment was to be detained in the Terrace Gaol.

After the war ended, the internees were moved to Featherston Camp. In March 1919 the ship Willochra prepared to depart Wellington in order to repatriate over four hundred internees. A special train from Featherston with 242 internees aboard arrived at the wharf under the es**rt of returned soldiers. ‘Many of these internees appeared to be glad that they were leaving New Zealand.’

Image:
German internees on Somes Island. Hart, Roger :Photographs of Somes Island and other subjects. Ref: 1/2-112287-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22340533

References:
Despatches from the Governor of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1917.
On Somes Island. (1914, August 13). Evening Post, 8.
Local Prisoners of War. (1914, August 11). Dominion, 6.
Repatriated. (1919, May 15). New Zealand Times, 7.

24/05/2026

William and Emma Haines | Holloway Road 1914

William Frances Lucas Haines followed his father into the butchery trade. William Haines senior lived with his wife Sarah (born Lucas) and their large family above Holloway Road, where they farmed pigs and poultry. A successful businessman, William senior owned a good number of the 92 properties in the Mitchelltown valley and so was a landlord to many. The population of the valley was large enough to sustain two grocers, a butchery and a school.

William junior married Emma Jane Johns in 1902 at St Peter’s church in Willis Street. Emma was born in Ashburton but her family moved to Wellington when she was 4. The Haines’ eight children were born between 1903 and 1921.

In 1905, Haines senior rented a property in Holloway Road from Henry Mitchell (of Mitchelltown) which he modified to create a shop area and cart shed. In 1906, he purchased the property outright. In 1911, the property was altered again with a freezer constructed and a new scullery and sitting room built above the shop. It was at about this time that William and Emma moved in to the building. The building still remains largely unchanged and is heritage listed by WCC. The Haines are photographed standing outside the shop, with their children Ida, William and Arthur.

In 1915, Haines was involved in a traffic accident when Daniel Anderson and Haines crashed on the Hutt Road. Anderson alleged that while driving towards Petone at midnight, Haines (who was on a horse and cart) appeared suddenly out of the darkness. Anderson claimed for £44 in damages to his car. Haines counterclaimed for £4 for the loss of 20 fowls and damage to his cart and lamps. Haines lost the case.

The family moved to Amritsar Street in Khandallah in the 1920s and in 1962, the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They received telegrams from the Governor-General (Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson) and Queen Elizabeth II. At the time of their celebration, they had 14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. William died in 1967 aged, 87, and Emma died in 1970, also aged 87. They are buried at Taita Cemetery.

Photo title:
Emma, Raymond, Ida, William and Arthur (left to right) standing in front of their butchers business.

Photo credit:
Emma and William Haines with their family outside their butcher's shop, Holloway Rd, Wellington, 1914, Wellington, by John Haines. Te Papa (B.016623)

References:
Magistrate’s Court. (1915, July 21). Dominion, 11.
Married For 60 Years. (1962, December 4). Evening Post, 14.
Local ad General. (1915, July 22). Evening Post, 6.
https://www.wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz/buildings/1-150/148-6-swensson-house

17/05/2026

James Taine & Shopping in Petone | Before the Hutt Road 1840

James Taine arrived in Wellington on the New Zealand Company ship Adelaide, on 7th March 1840. He was a young man of 23 with mercantile ambitions and had bought with him numerous household goods to sell. Taine opened a general store from his two-roomed whare on Lambton Beach, and his neighbours would drop in to purchase various things they found themselves in need of. The business prospered, and by June he was able to ask for Mary Oliveira’s hand in marriage (a fellow passenger from the Adelaide).

The engagement spurred Taine to ‘spruce up’ his whare, in anticipation of his bride’s arrival. The box that served as a dinner table and the bare earth floor were not making a good first impression. Noone was selling furniture or floor boards on the Wellington side of the harbour, so Taine walked to Petone, as he heard there were goods for sale there.

‘It was no joke walking on the loose shingle and over the boulders and rocks, while in some places where the water was up to the base of the hills the promontories had to be ascended and the high ground kept to until the beach was again accessible.’

Once he reached Petone, Taine purchased a few chairs, a table, some bedroom furniture, flooring boards and ‘other requisites, which as a single man I had not thought necessary to bring out with me for a bachelor’s establishment.’ The only practical way to get these back to his whare was to hire a ship’s boat and a boatman to row his new goods across the harbour.

After arranging the rooms with his purchases, the Evan’s arrived to inspect his efforts, as the guardians of his future bride. He received many compliments.

The couple were married on 28th June 1840 at the home of the Rev. John Churton. Dr and Mrs Evan’s hosted the wedding breakfast. Mrs Daniell (wife of Captain Edward Daniell) made the wedding cake out of stores she had bought with her from England.

‘We then sauntered leisurely towards the water front and along Thorndon Beach to our future home, enjoying the beauty of New Zealand.’

Reference:
qMS-1974-1976 Taine, James John, 1817-1914: Reminiscences of James John Taine, a Wellington and New Zealand pioneer settler of 1839 / compiled by H E M Fildes

Image:
Connell, B, active 1840-1843. Connell, B, fl 1840-1843. Attributed works :Petoni Road, Wellington. 1841. Various artists :[Album of watercolours, cards and published pictures, including scenes in New Zealand and European countries, belonging to Cherie Templer (nee Connell)]. 1830-1890. Ref: E-943-q-007-1. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/31982769

10/05/2026

Wedding of Herbert Kwok and Ida Low | Frederick Street 1929

‘The first Christian Chinese wedding in Wellington for some years was solemnised in the Anglican Chinese Mission Church in Frederick street yesterday, when Herbert Kwok, of Wellington, was married to Miss Ida Low, of Blenheim.’

Ida was the daughter of Chong Lee and Lai Chee Low who had migrated from China and set up the Chong Lee and Co fruit and vegetable business in Market Street, Blenheim.

The bride, who was es**rted by her brother, wore shell-pink satin and carried a bouquet of roses, heather and lily of the valley. Her bridesmaids were Mollie and Nettie Low and Ida Chong. Dick Kwok was best man and Chan Fang was groomsman.

The marriage service was partly in Cantonese and partly in English. After the ceremony, the wedding breakfast was held in the Chinese Masonic Hall.

Initially the couple lived in Tory Street. They later moved to Kilbirnie and had a family of three children. Ida is recorded on the Electoral Rolls throughout her married life, but Herbert did not appear until after he retired and so his profession is not known. Herbert died in 1994 and Ida in 1998 aged 89.

The Chinese Mission Hall was designed the Anglican church by the architect Frederick de Jersey Clere, and constructed in 1905. It is still standing, although vacant due to earthquake risk.

Image:
A Wellington Chinese bride. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19290221-49-03

References:
Chinese Wedding. (1929, February 7). Evening Post, 15.
https://wellingtonchinesehistory.fandom.com/wiki/Molly_Ting_(nee_Low)

03/05/2026

Garden Party at The Rawson’s | Seatoun 1907

‘Seatoun was in a very festive mood yesterday, when the tramway tunnel was formally opened by Mrs. C. Crawford, Mayoress of Miramar.’

After declaring the tunnel open, Mrs Crawford received a bouquet from Miss Molly Fabian on behalf of the Seatoun residents. The two tramcars carrying the distinguished guests from town then drove through the ribbons and passed through the tunnel to Seatoun.

Ella Crawford (born Anson), was the wife of Charles Crawford, the Mayor of Miramar. Charles was a son of James Coutts Crawford who purchased most of the Miramar peninsular in 1839.

Mr and Mrs Herbert Rawson offered the use of their gardens in Seatoun to host a celebratory tea on the occasion. Herbert Rawson was a dentist who had a practice on the corner of Woodward Street and The Terrace (the brick building still remains and is now offices).

Among the guests were Councillors from the Miramar Borough, Mrs Annie Hislop (Mayoress of Wellington, the Mayor being absent), John Palmer (Town Clerk), John O’Shea (City Solicitor), William Morton (City Engineer, Stuart Richardson (City Electrical Engineer) and Archibald Pearce (Mayor of Karori).

Tea was served in a large marque on the lawn, organised by Mrs Mary Fabian. A month later she opened tearooms in Seatoun at the tram car terminus, perhaps capitalising on the new connection.

Speeches were made in the marquee, but as most of the men had escaped the hot marquee, the assembled ladies listened to speeches that ‘took a light and pleasant tone, statistics being spared.’

The guests later wandered about and ‘admired the flowers and picturesque nooks in the grounds.’ At the conclusion of the party, the tramcars took the visitors back to town.

References:
By Car to Seatoun. (1907, December 18). Dominion, 8.
Social and Personal. (1907, December 18). Dominion, 3.

Image:
Group attending the opening of the Seatoun Tramways. Crawford, C J :Album. Ref: 1/2-070377-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23126160

26/04/2026

Temporary Cenotaph | Anzac Day 1927

In 1920, the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association proposed to build a temporary cenotaph for Anzac Day opposite the parliamentary buildings. This monument would remain the focus for Anzac Day services for following nine years, at various locations around the city, while a more substantial monument was discussed and planned.

In this photo from 1927, the memorial is placed at the intersection of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay.

The permanent Wellington Cenotaph was constructed between 1929 and 1931 to a design by architects Aimer, Draffin and Grierson in partnership with sculptor Richard Gross. The memorial was first officially used on Anzac Day 1931.

Image:
Anzac Day Processions, Wellington. Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP-0676-1/2-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22322596

19/04/2026

Alfred Kemp | New Zealand Medical Corps

Alfred Ernest Kemp was deemed fit for military service in November 1917. It was not until 1918 that he was called up in the ballot. By then he was married to Charlotte (born Aldridge) and they had a son named Keith.

Alfred left his Ashhurst home and arrived at the Awapuni camp on 14 August 1918. The Awapuni racecourse had been turned into a specialist camp for training medical personnel. In his civilian life, Alfred was a Salvation Army officer. At Awapuni he became part of the New Zealand Medical Corps and was assigned the rank of Private.

On 2 November 1918, Alfred was transferred to Featherston Military Camp. During World War I, over 60,000 men passed through this camp. It was built to accommodate 6,500 men and stabling for 500 horses.

There is only one further entry in Alfred’s war record, and that is his date of death at Featherston Camp on 15 November. Alfred was one of 163 influenza deaths in the camp which affected both trainee soldiers and medical staff.

Alfred was 29 years old when he died. He was buried in the soldiers’ section of Featherston cemetery.

This photograph is assumed to be of Alfred’s brother, Arthur Wellington Kemp, standing next to his brother’s recently dug grave. The gravesite later received a commonwealth war graves headstone.

Image:
Grave of Private A E Kemp, Featherson Camp. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1836-083

References:
Military Personnel Files, R18056190, Archives New Zealand
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33144
Ancestry.com trees

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