Welcome :)

Welcome to Cheryl and Shirley’s website for tourists interested in the history behind Botany. We will be looking at the early 1800s (1800-1850), early 1900s (1920-1930) and 2011 today and how the landscape and lifestyle was different, and also at some tourist attractions.  

The group that we will be focusing on is the Fencibles. The word Fencible came from the Scottish word ‘defensible’, used to describe men able and fit for defensive military service. They were retired soldiers, worn out from protecting British subjects in numerous countries such as India and Honduras. Only the poor, naive and desperate could be convinced to join the army as it provided food, clothing and shelter. Despite of the low pay, back then it was better than being unemployed. Only a few solders (6%) were allowed to be married, and if the wife decided to join the army on overseas service there were many great perils. 

A FENCIBLE FAMILY

On the other hand, the life of officers was much different. Officers came from well-off and educated families, and enjoyed a higher standard of behaviour and living conditions.

The Fencibles immigrated to New Zealand between 1847 and 1852 in the following ships: Ramillies, Minerva, Sir Robert Sale, Sir George Seymour, Clifton, Ann, Berhampore, Oriental Queen, Inchinnan, and Berwick Castle. The numbers were over 2,500 people and they settled in Onehunga, Otahuhu, Howick and Panmure. Around 250 of those were in Howick. 

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF HOWICK - 1941