Landscape of the 1800s to the 1850s
The landscape in the 1800s to the 1850s was very sparse. There were a lot of trees and plantation still remaining with only small signs of logging being done. Very little human civilisation existed, those that did made their living by farming in areas near Howick.
The Maori tribes, Nga Tai and Ngati Poa lived mainly near the Tamaki Estuary because of the abundant water supply, fish and kai. The most noticeable features were the lakes, rivers, coastlines and the rolling contour of the land. The Howick and Botany area was still mainly shrub and swamp.
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| PLOUGHING AT BELL FARM, 1850 |
The Maori tribes, Nga Tai and Ngati Poa lived mainly near the Tamaki Estuary because of the abundant water supply, fish and kai. The most noticeable features were the lakes, rivers, coastlines and the rolling contour of the land. The Howick and Botany area was still mainly shrub and swamp.
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| CAPTAIN SMITHS HOME - 1852 |
How the Fencibles lived at that time
In the 1800s to the 1850s after the immigration, the Fencibles were falsely offered a cottage, and an acre of land in return for seven years of service. Before the cottages were built, the immigrants had to live in tents. The housing was made out of timber and kauri, and the roofs were corrugated steel and weather boards panels made from scrap iron. The soldier’s cottages were less fancy than the homesteads that belonged to the officers. Kitchens were usually only three by three metres, whilst the bedrooms were three by four metres.
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| PICNIC AT HOWICK HISTORICAL VILLAGE, 1850 |
People in those days ate a variety of food. Foods such as kumara, pumpkin, cabbage, lemons, and apples were grown in gardens and on trees. The bread was made by hand and baked in bread ovens. Meats such as turkey, ham, pheasant, swan, duck, beef and mutton were slaughtered and prepared at the local butchers. Butter was churned by hand in a wooden butter churn. All of the food was prepared by hand, and any that were left was salted and preserved.
Did you know that children wore dresses until they were five, as their mothers could not get too attached to them, because they died easily? Women wore big and long dresses, an apron, hat, several petticoats, trousers and long boots. Men wore a hat, overalls, shirts and short boots. Everyone wore red flannel in order to keep warm and ‘improve blood circulation’.
Transport was limited, and was only possible by horse, bike, wagon, horse & gig, foot, and piggyback.
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| POINT VIEW DRIVE - 1862 |
Healthy hygiene was unknown, as people took baths every six or more weeks. They were told that the natural oils were good for you. Did you know that urine was used to wash faces? Everyone in the family shared the same bathwater, and was told to wash as far down as possible, and as far up as possible.
A good place to visit would be All Saints Church, New Zealand’s second oldest church which was established in 1847. It is a fine example of early colonial architecture, and often holds weddings and craft markets. The address is the corner of Cook Street and Selwyn Road, Howick.
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| ALL SAINTS CHURCH - 2011 |
