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Maori
Settlement |
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Among the first inhabitants
of the Auckland region were descendants of Rangatira Toi-te-huatahi
who migrated north from Whakatane to the Tamaki River during
the 12 th century...
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Pakeha Land Acquisition |
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Previous visits by European
missionaries and vessels had created a desire among iwi
to encourage individual Pakeha to settle in order to facilitate
trade relations. Hence, large areas of land were sometimes
sold or gifted to Pakeha...
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The
Founding of Ellerslie |
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The history of Ellerslie
began in 1848 when a young Scottish entrepreneur, Robert
Graham, purchased two blocks of land bounded by Great
South and Panmure Raods. He initially wished to name the
area
'Elderslie' after his family home in Larnarkshire...
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Ellerslie
Gardens |
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During the early 1870's
Robert decided to turn a portion of his estate now bounded
by Hurst, Harr and Roberts Streets into the 'Ellerslie
Zoological Gardens'.
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A
Racing Town |
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By the end of the nineteenth century horse racing
had become the foremost industry in the district. The first race at Ellerslie was held
in 1857 on land towards the end of Tecoma Street, attended by Governor Gore Brown.
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Township
Emergence |
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Robert initially planned to create a cemetery on the
remainder of his estate but was thwarted when the central government refused to grant
legislative permission.
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The
Ellerslie Hotel |
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For almost a century the Ellerslie Hotel was an important
landmark in the town. Originally built by Robert Graham, the hotel was a two-storey building with
a promenade balcony, a hitching rail, 6 rooms for accommodation, a private and public bar,
and stables.
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Trains,
Trams & the Post |
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In December 1873 a railway line between Onehunga and
Auckland via Newmarket, Ellerslie, and Penrose was opened with great public celebration. The
station at Ellerslie was initially situated between the railway bridges with the main road
running directly through the village and intersecting the line at a level crossing.
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Local
Government |
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Local government in the vicinity of Ellerslie
began with the creation of the Panmure Hundred in November 1848. From January 1863 a
new body named the Panmure Highway District replaced the Hundred and in 1865 landowners
successfully petitioned for division of the district into two local bodies: Panmure Township
and the Mount Wellington Highway District.
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The
Ellerslie Council |
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Increased residential development and economic
growth culminated in a movement to obtain borough status for the town. The Borough of Ellerslie
was formally declared on the 1st April 1938.
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The
War & the Depression |
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The onset of economic depression during the late
1920s profoundly affected the community. By 1931 a number of residents declared they would
be unable to pay their rates, forcing the Town Board to forgive almost £600 in revenue. In December
1930 the board utilised grants from the Public Works Department to implement relief schemes for
married men.
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Businesses
& Shops |
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With the exception of the racing industry, employment
in Ellerslie was extremely limited during the nineteenth century. Businesses in the township
included several slaughterhouses, a timber and joinery factory near the railway station, and a
blacksmith shop established by Mr Wilkinson at the Harp of Erin.
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The
Neighbourhood |
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The original subdivision of the Graham estate
set aside land for a school and a church. Christ Church was opened on the 22nd December
1883 and through the fund-raising efforts of early parishioners became debt-free within three
years of its construction.
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