Tauranga settler Robert Hynds had an adventurous life. From his beginnings in Northern Ireland, to the cane fields of Queensland, Australia, and believing doomsday had arrived during the 1886 Tarawera Eruption in New Zealand. He then went bear hunting in Canada, and riding with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in the United States, before arriving back in New Zealand by steamer as heavy seas and a fierce southerly gale were howling through Cook Strait. Robert finally settled to a more sedate pace in Tauranga with his family, in the Greerton | Pākōrau and Gate Pā | Pukehinahina area where Hynds Road carries his name. Story researched, written and published by Debbie McCauley in March 2013 following a series of interviews with Robert’s grandsons, Grant Hynds and Alister Sutton.
Robert Hynds was born in 1861 at Limavady, a market town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. His parents were William Hynds (1820-1898) and Peggy Jane Hynds (née Hull) (1825-1914) who had married in 1846 at Dungiven in County Londonderry. Robert became a deeply religious man, and followed a strong Christian faith throughout his life.
Australia
At age 22, Robert and a cousin departed from Glasgow, Scotland on 20 March 1883 on board the ‘Oban Bay’. The 1068 ton barque arrived at Townsville, Australia on 19 July 1883 with 384 immigrants.
Robert soon found work in Queensland, however he became deeply upset at the harsh treatment meted out to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who worked in Queensland’s sugar-cane fields. Treated brutally as slaves, they were forced to work with little food, poor housing and no medical treatment.
It seems that Robert joined the New South Wales Artillery, but changed his mind. In 1884 the New South Wales Police Gazettes (1854-1930) recorded as deserters Robert Hynds and Peter Johnson; “Deserters from Her Majesty’s Service. From the New South Wales Artillery. On the 2nd November, 1884. No. 1,094, Gunner Robert Hynds, born at Limavady, Derry, Ireland, 23 years of age 5 feet 91/4 inches high, pale complexion, brown hair, blue eyes; a soldier; dressed in regimentals; under two year’s service.”
Mōtū Road
It is understood that Robert arrived in New Zealand from Townsville in around December 1884. He was working for George Bailey Sutton (1856-1937) in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. George had the contract for the Mōtū Road that ran from Ōpōtiki through to Gisborne. The two must have become good friends as 41 years later their children would marry; Sarah Kathleen Hynds to Thomas George Fletcher Sutton in 1925.
The narrow, winding Mōtū Road runs parallel to the pre-European Te Kowhai Track and would become a crucial transport link. Mōtu means ‘isolated’ and the area was certainly remote as the road twists it’s way through mountainous terrain still thickly clad in rainforest, and crosses the Mōtū River several times. Charles Frederick Buscke (1878-1953) was the first motorist to make the trip across Mōtu Road on 19 February 1914, but as the article below from the Poverty Bay Herald attests, he would not recommend it to other motorists. The road would be bypassed in 1929 when the Waioeka Gorge Road opened.
“BY MOTOR CAR TO OPOTIKI. MOST DANGEROUS JOURNEY IN THE DOMINION. For some months past several local motorists have been waiting the opportunity to essay the journey from Motu to Opotiki. Whilst the road has been sufficiently open to enable a coach service to be initiated a few weeks ago, the dangerous nature of the narrow ledge carved out high on the precipitous hill sides, and the frequency of slips completely blocking the way, has up till now precluded even the most venture some. Yesterday, however, as briefly reported in our last issue, Mr Charles Buscke gained the distinction of driving the first motor car across this mountainous road. Telegraphic advice of the success of the journey only reached town yesterday afternoon, and his friends were surprised to see Mr Buscke back in town. BLOCKED BY SLIPS. With a view to gathering some information for the guidance of other motorists Mr Buscke was seen by a Herald representative this morning. He said he left Gisborne on Wednesday afternoon for Motu, having business at Toatoa. He ascertained that there were about 30 men employed on the road, and they had instructions to have the road clear on Wednesday to permit the coach to get through. Some doubt was expressed as to the feasibility of taking the motor to Toatoa, which is about half-way between Motu and Opotiki, but the Gisbornite essayed to take his car as far as possible. About ten miles from Motu it was found that the road workers had brought down a slip to widen a narrow part and the track was completely blocked. There were half-a-dozen men in the gang, and they expressed the opinion it would be quite impossible to proceed. However, by dint of some strenuous pick and shovel work in which motorists and all joined, a sufficient track was made over the debris. There was a sheer rock cliff above and below, and the track was covered with loose rubble rock. There was no chance of driving the car over, so all hands put their shoulders to the wheels and shoved. To have skidded on the loose rock would have precipitated the car over the precipice, and as it was the vehicle tilted to a dangerous angle. It was held back, however, with crowbars and eventually safely negotiated the dangerous spot. This was at a point just past Christophers’. Five miles on the Motu side of Toatoa there was another slip let down and again the gang turned to and helped the motorists over. The road, such as it is, was so narrow in places that the party bad to get out to measure if there was sufficient room to get by, and in hugging the bank the covering of the hood was ripped by the rock, whilst the side of the car was also scratched. The party reached Toatoa by lunch time. HAIR PIN BENDS. At Toatoa there is an excellent cheese factory, and being desirous of making himself acquainted with the access, which existed with Opotiki, Mr Buscke proceeded on to that place. He found it a good road, but narrow, and only an hour and a quarter’s run from Toatoa. In fact there were several “hairpin” bends, one in particular, which was the sharpest Mr Buscke declares he has met with in his motoring experience. Had it not been for the Remarkably good “lock” of the Overland car, and the satisfactory condition of the brakes, they would certainly have shot over the bank. There were twelve river crossings to negotiate and the motorists were assured that but for the exceptionally dry season they would never have got along. However, they were informed that deviation is to be made that will avoid these. The Maori were greatly excited at the advent of the motor car, and even one of the road makers was so excited when the car showed its nose round a sharp corner that he dropped his shovel and ran. Opotiki was reached about 3.30 p.m. Thursday, and the rest of the afternoon was spent on a run to Mr Hutchinson’s and a visit to Ohiwa harbor. Mr Buscke was informed at Toatoa that no car had ever been seen in that locality before. The motorists left Opotiki at 7 o’clock yesterday on the return journey, and although they spent about an hour on the road, Mr Buscke, was back in Gisborne at about 2.45 p.m. He was accompanied by Mr Herbert Brown, of Gisborne, whilst Mr Murray, of Motu, also joined the party at Motu. A WORD OF WARNING. As regards the road, Mr Buscke says he would like to give a word, of warning to other motorists who may be thinking of taking on the trip. He frankly confesses that it is the most dangerous trip in New Zealand, and he would not take it on again, except min case of urgent business. It was not an ordinary run, and he would certainty not recommend anyone taking it on as the road is at present, for pleasure. It was very trying on tho nerves; in the event of rain was hopeless. The surface is of rubble rock and rather hard on the tyres until worn down, but the frail crumbling edges which have been built up have to be most carefully watched. Motorists should satisfy themselves that, their car possessed a sufficiently wide “lock,” and it was absolutely necessary that their brakes should be in perfect working order and hard set.” Source: Poverty Bay Herald, 21 February 1914, p. 5).
Mount Tarawera Eruption
Three peaks formed the summit Mount Tarawera in the Central North Island. The violent eruption of Mount Tarawera took place in the early hours of 10 June 1886. “The first peak to erupt was the Wahanga peak, furthest to the north, at about 1:30am. This was followed by the middle and highest peak, Ruawahia, and then the most southern, Tarawera.” (Christchurch Library).
Robert and his two co-workers on the Mōtū Road literally thought the end of the world had arrived as they experienced the earthquakes, lightning and explosions that could be heard in the South Island. The eruption was on a par with Etna (122 BC); Vesuvius (AD 79); Pelée (1902); Colima (1910); Mount Saint Helens (1980); Merapi (2010); and Calbuco (2015) (Geological Society of America, 2018).
It has been estimated that more than two billion cubic yards of abrasive ash was scattered over an area of more than 6000 square miles by the eruption. Also partially destroyed and buried under tons of lava were the famous Pink | Otukapuarangi and White | Te Tarata Terraces. Ash quickly collected on the roof of the men’s hut, the weight eventually causing the hut to collapse.
The experience must have been terrifying. On the third day, the three men drew straws as to who would ride out on their one pack-horse to Ōpōtiki to see if there was anyone else alive in the world. The man selected did not return, and was never heard from again. Robert and his remaining companion decided to walk to Ōpōtiki. When they arrived, they found out about the eruption, the destruction of several villages, and the loss of around 120 lives.
America and Canada
In 1888, Robert was staying with George Sutton and his wife in Ōpōtiki. From there he took a boat to Auckland and then another boat to North America. From 1888 to 1898 Robert was living in the north-west of America and Canada. During this period in Canada, Robert was working as a bear hunter. His first marriage in the United States was very short-lived as his wife died from injuries received when she was kicked by a horse. He then married Lydia Flannagan (c. 1858-1898) in Canada in 1888. They had four children together, the first born in the United States, and the rest in Canada.
The family story is that during this time Robert, being an expert horseman, rode in the famous Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. These were run and owned by William Frederick Cody (1846-1917), aka ‘Buffalo Bill’. There is also a suggestion by Grant Hynds that Robert met with Scottish evangelist John Alexander Dowie (1847-1907) during this period in the United States.
Robert farmed in Washington State and then British Colombia. Conflicting stories exist about the death of Robert’s second wife, Lydia. Her death occurred at Fairview in British Columbia, Canada, on 15 November 1898. In one version, she died during childbirth; in the other, Robert was driving a horse and buggy when it was struck by a train.
Northern Ireland
After Lydia’s death Robert left Canada, returning to Northern Ireland with their four children. In Northern Ireland he stayed with the father of David Hynds.
Whilst in Ireland, Robert met Jennie Smythe (1873-1952), daughter of the local miller. They married at Balteagh in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland on 8 February 1900. The Hynds family in Ireland worked as contractors and farmers. Some were also Presbyterian ministers.
New Zealand
Robert, his third wife Jennie and family, departed from London, England on 28 March 1900 on board the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer ‘Rakaia’ which called into Plymouth, Capetown and Hobart during their journey. The ‘Rakaia’ passed Farewell Spit on 23 May, and arrived at Wellington, New Zealand at 2.30pm on 25 May 1900, during ‘dirty and tempestuous’ weather in Cook Strait (Evening Post, 24 May 1900, p. 4). According to the shipping record, on board were Robert Hynds (aged 36); Mrs Hynds; Master Jas Hynds (aged 11); Miss L Hynds (aged 9) and Master Robt Hynds (aged 6).
The Hynds family owned a 12-acre fruit orchard in the Greerton | Pākōrau and Gate Pā | Pukehinahina area where they also milked cows. The family is remembered via the name Hynds Road in this area. In 1901 Robert was elected onto the Greerton School Committee (Bay of Plenty Times, 29 April 1901, p. 2).
Hynds Road was mentioned in the report of the ‘Separate Rate Committee’ on the roads in the Waimapu riding, which was presented by George Thomas Davoren (1843-1929) on 7 November 1906;
“Eyre’s and Hynds’ Road, Greerton. – Two sections that required the gorse to be grubbed. Messrs Spooner and Kirk gave notice that a man would be sent to do the work; have arranged a man to commence on Monday if not done. This road from Eyre’s corner to Hynds’ is all grass and rat-tail. I think the best way of doing it is to plough it right across, harrow it well and clean up the water-tables by hand. Where the road deviates through the Council sections to the main road the gorse requires to be cut back three feet; grubbed would be better; it is now out to the wheel track.” (Bay of Plenty Times, p. 4).
Another Bay of Plenty Times article commends Robert on winning prizes for his apples, pears, peaches and lemons at the Rotorua Show. The article further describes how he had recently added five acres to his orchard which was already planted in young trees, and also mentions plans to establish a canning factory (18 March 1910, p. 2).
Robert helped to bring electrical power to Greerton in 1915. Later, the family operated a slaughter-house on Hynds Road, and meat was delivered locally using a horse and cart.
In 1916 Robert was fined for failing to clear noxious weeds from his property: “Before Mr R W Dyer S.M., in the Magistrates Court, on Thursday, Mr LJB Grant, Inspector of Noxious Weeds, proceeded against Robert Hynds for failing to clear noxious weeds: Defendant was fined £2, costs £1 2s 7d” (Bay of Plenty Times, 11 December 1916, p. 4).
The wanderlust remained, and on 9 April 1924, Robert, Jennie and daughter Sarah Kathleen arrived in Southampton, England, on board the ‘Corinthic’ from Wellington. They returned three months later, departing London for Auckland on 8 July 1924 on board the ‘Largs Bay’.
Robert died at Gate Pā at the age of 69, on 9 June 1929. He was buried in the Tauranga Presbyterian Cemetery. His obituary was printed in the Bay of Plenty Times:
“OBITUARY. MR. ROBERT HYNDS. It is our sad duty to chronicle the death of Mr Robert Hynds, which occurred at his residence at Gate Pa yesterday morning, at the age of sixty-nine years. The late Mr Hynds was born in Limavady, County Derry, Ireland. As a young man he followed farming. He then went out to Australia and New Zealand, and was one of those who were engaged in the construction of the original Motu Track. He then went to America and tor some years was farming in Canada and the United State left, with his family, for New Zealand, settling at Gate Pa, where he carried on fruit growing and dairy farming. The late Mr Hynds took a very keen interest in public affairs and for some years served on the Gate Pa School Committee. He had also been a member of the the Committee of St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his widow and an adult family, viz., Messrs Robert Hynds (Auckland), Albert and George Hynds (Tauranga). John Hynds (Melbourne), Mrs N. Oram (Auckland), and Mrs G. Sutton (Paengaroa.). The sympathy of a wide circle, of friends will be extended to the family in their bereavement. The funeral will leave deceased’s late residence at 2 p.m. to-morrow” (10 June 1929, p. 2).
After Robert’s death, his son George worked the family farm, purchasing an adjoining property owned by Robert Tuthill in 1934, and converting the orchard to dairying. Some time after this, George gained the titles to the ‘Dead Man’s Land’ situated on the west side of Hynds Road and running south all the way to Chadwick Road. ‘Dead Man’s Land’ was land that had been granted to soldiers following the New Zealand Wars in Tauranga, but not taken up.
Jennie died at Gate Pā at the age of 85, on 14 October 1952. She was buried, as most of the Hynds family were, in the Tauranga Presbyterian Cemetery.
The children of Robert Hynds
- Hynds, William James (1889-1925) ‘Jim’ Born at Washington, United States, on 14 March 1889, his mother was Lydia. Married Beatrice Ivy Revell at Tauranga in New Zealand in 1914. William was only 36 years old when he died at Tauranga on 22 March 1925. He was buried in the Tauranga Presbyterian Cemetery.
- Oram, Jessie Laetitia (née Hynds) (1892-1956) Born at British Colombia, Canada on 6 May 1890, her mother was Lydia. In 1924 Jessie married Nelson Oram (1890-1974) in New Zealand. Nelson served during both World War I (Service No. WWI 43534) and World War II (Service No. WWII 800209). Jessie died in Auckland on 12 January 1956 at the age of 65. She was cremated at Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden.
- Hynds, Mary (1891-1918) Born at British Colombia, Canada on 13 August 1891, her mother was Lydia. Mary became ill with pneumonia, and died in Tauranga on 27 April 1918. She was buried in the Tauranga Presbyterian Cemetery.
- Hynds, Robert (1893-1967) Born at British Columbia, Canada, on 20 July 1893, his mother was Lydia. Robert married Christina Margaret Alice Stewart (1895-1969), the granddaughter of Katikati founder George Vesey Stewart, in 1920. Robert died in Tauranga at the age of 73 on 6 July 1967. He was buried in the Tauranga Presbyterian Cemetery.
- Hynds, Albert Smyth (1902-1963) Born at Tauranga, New Zealand, on 25 July 1902, his mother was Jennie. Albert married Ruby McClure Brown (1908-1996) at Tauranga in 1929. Albert died in Tauranga at the age of 61 on 12 August 1963. He was buried in the Tauranga Presbyterian Cemetery.
- Sutton, Sarah Kathleen (née Hynds) (1904-1973) ‘Kathleen’ Born at Tauranga, New Zealand, on 18 March 1904, her mother was Jennie. Kathleen married Thomas George Fletcher Sutton (1890-1974) in 1925. She died on 11 August 1973 at the age of 69, and was buried in the Te Puke Cemetery.
- Hynds, John Francis (1906-1976) Born at Tauranga, New Zealand, on 2 January 1906, his mother was Jennie. At the age of 18, John moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He married Eileen Martha Florence Maud de Mey (1910->1980) at Randwick in 1931. John was in the Australian Air Force, becoming Squadron Leader after several years. He was in Darwin when it was bombed during World War II (1939-1945). John was an explosives expert and worked on building stations for the Air Force at the Sydney suburb of Riverstone, and in the Northern Territory. John died at Riverstone at the age of 70, on 2 December 1976.
- Hynds, George Douglas (1908-1987) Born at Tauranga, New Zealand, on 18 May 1908, his mother was Jennie. George married Flora Christina MacKintosh (1913-1969) at Tauranga on 29 December 1939. George died at Tauranga on 23 January 1987, and was buried in the Tauranga Presbyterian Cemetery.
Sources
- Auckland Star. (1900, May 24). Gale at Wellington (p. 8).
- Auckland Star. (1929, June 11). Obituary: Mr Robert Hynds (p. 10).
- Bay of Plenty Times. (1886, October 16). Mr Goldsmith (p. 2).
- Bay of Plenty Times. (1906, November 7). Waimapu Separate Rate Committee (p. 4).
- Bay of Plenty Times. (1910, March 18). Rotorua Show (p. 2).
- Bay of Plenty Times. (1914, March 20). Hynds-Revell Wedding (p. 5).
- Bay of Plenty Times. (1920, January 30). Hynds-Stewart Wedding (p. 7).
- Bay of Plenty Times. (1929, June 10). Death: Hynds (p. 2).
- Bay of Plenty Times. (1929, June 10). Obituary: Mr Robert Hynds (p. 2).
- Birth Registration. (reg. 1902/16593). Albert Smythe Hynds.
- Birth Registration. (reg. 1904/15419). Sarah Kathleen Sutton.
- Birth Registration. (reg. 1906/6085). John Francis Hynds.
- Birth Registration. (reg. 1908/5455). George Douglas Hynds.
- Christchurch Library. (n.d.). Mount Tarawera eruption.
- Death Registration. (folio. 1918/850). Mary Hynds.
- Death Registration. (reg. 1925/484). William James Hynds.
- Death Registration. (reg. 1929/13390). Robert Hynds.
- Death Registration. (reg. 1952/27545). Jennie Hynds.
- Death Registration. (reg. 1956/33377). Letitia Oram.
- Death Registration. (reg. 1963/26993). Albert Smythe Hynds.
- Death Registration. (reg. 1967/44958). Robert Hynds.
- Death Registration. (reg. 1973/49142). Sarah Kathleen Sutton.
- Death Registration. (reg. 1987/32731). George Douglas Hynds.
- Evening Post. (1900, May 11). Rakaia from London (p. 4).
- Evening Post. (1900, May 24). Rakaia from London (p. 4).
- Geni Profile: Jennie Hynds (née Smythe).
- Geni Profile: Lydia Hynds (née Flannagan).
- Geni Profile: Robert Hynds.
- Geological Society of America. (2018, May 3). Volcanic hazard scenarios: Mount Taranaki, New Zealand. ScienceDaily.
- Greerton School Centennial Jubilee. Souvenir History 1876-1976.
- Hynds, Grant (2013). Personal Communication.
- MacMillan, V. (1976). Notes taken during a visit to Miss V. A. MacMillan, 34 Fraser St, Tauranga, on 16th September, 1976. (V/F Biographies, New Zealand Room, Tauranga City Library).
- Marriage Registration. (reg. 1914/6970). William James Hynds and Beatrice Ivy Revell.
- Marriage Registration. (reg. 1920/4596). Robert Hynds and Christina Margaret Alice Stewart.
- Marriage Registration. (reg. 1924/5942). Letitia Hynds and Nelson Oram.
- Marriage Registration. (reg. 1925/4359). Sarah Kathleen Hynds and Thomas George Fletcher Sutton.
- Marriage Registration. (reg. 1929/6109). Albert Smythe Hynds and Ruby McClure Brown.
- National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. (n.d.). Motu timeline via Living Heritage.
- Poverty Bay Herald. (1914, February 20). Gisborne to Opotiki (p. 6).
- Poverty Bay Herald. (1914, February 21). By Motor Car to Opotiki (p. 5).
- Royal BC Museum Corporation. Genealogy Search.
- Stokes, Evelyn. (1980). A History of Tauranga County. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Dunmore Press.
- Sutton, Alister (2013). Personal Communication.
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