New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 68, 19 September 1846
FLOUR MILLSRather than having to go all the way to the mill, flour could be bought or wheat sold at a store in town New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 297, 4 April 1849
MESSRS LOW AND MOTION, BEG to acquaint Farmers and the public generally, that their MILLS are now at work, and they are ready to receive Wheat in any quantity.
L. & M. wish to point out, to parties who may be desirous to favor them with orders, that their Mills are easy of access, both by land and water, being but a very short distance from Auckland.
All orders will be executed without delay, and upon the most reasonable terms.
New Mills, September 18, 1846.
MESSRS. LOW and MOTION, Millers, are purchasers of Wheat in any quantities, at their Store, Queen street, Auckland, which they have opened in connection with their Flour Mills, for the Sale of Flour, Bran, &c., &c.
Their present prices for Wheat are 4s. to 5s. a bushel, according to quality, Flour, a ton, £13 to £15.
Queen-street, Auckland, 2nd April, 1849.
Given the timing, this must have been the mill which the Coolahan court case was about, which thus tells us that Charles Oakford was miller there.
William Motion continued the business after the death of Joseph Low in August 1863, retaining his old partner's name in the company name.
The mill stopped work by water power when the Western Springs site was purchased for £20,000 in 1875 by Auckland city council to be the basis of the city waterworks Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXI, Issue 5461, 23 February 1875
The Water Question: £20,000 Compensation. — The Town Clerk read the following report from the Sub-committee (the Mayor, Councillors Daldy, Hurst, Holdship, and Macready) on the water question. The report, dated the 22nd of February, 1875, was as follows : — "That your committee having had Mr. Motion's freehold and leasehold properties, land, water rights, mill, machinery, dwellinghouse, &c, valued by competent persons at £20,000, after Mr. Motion had submitted the property for £23,000, recommended the Council to offer Mr. Motion the sum of £20.000. — P. L. Prime, chairman."— Councillor Daldy asked that the report of the valuators be also read, which was as follows : — "Auckland, February 12, 1875. — P. A. Philips, Esq , Town Clerk, Auckland : Sir, — We beg to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 11th. instant, asking us to examine and value the property of William Motion, known as the Western Springs. We have now the honour to inform you that we have examined the said property, which comprises 144a., 3r., 32p. more or less, of freehold land, as per plan attached hereto, initialed in red 'J C F' and 'W.A.' together with the mill, machinery, and all other buildings thereon erected with all water springs rising thereon, or flowing through the said land; also, all dams, water races, fluming, or any other riparian lights Mr. Motion may possess as lessee of the land on the western side of the stream known as Edgecumbe's Creek, provided that due provision be made to give him (the said William Motion) sufficient water from the said Edgecumbe's Creek for ordinary agricultural or domestic requirements during his term of lease, of which about sixteen years are unexpired. And we have now the honor to report that we value the whole of the above described property, with all the rights thereto belonging, at the sum of £20,000.— We have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servants, J. C. Firth, William Aitken." — Councillor Daldy moved the adoption of the sub-committee's report. They could not do anything in the matter at the present time. The negotiations were only in progress. Mr. Motion had stated his terms, which were rejected by the Council, and now this was an offer on the part of the Council for him to accept or reject. They had obtained the money to go on with the work, and if arrangements were made with Mr. Motion the work of bringing in water to Auckland could be proceeded with at once. — Councillor Cosgrave seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. — Councillor Isaacs said the Council could not do better than to remit the further negotiations on the matter to the sub-committee, who had had charge of them hitherto, and moved that the negotiations with Mr. Motion be left in the hands of the sub-committee. — Mr. Buchanan seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. — Councillor Daldy remarked that the whole of the pipe track had been purchased, and all preliminaries arranged. Tenders were called for the 22nd March, and if the Council could arrange with Mr. Motion, there was nothing to prevent the water works for the city of Auckland being carried out at once. — The Mayor remarked that all the property owners were satisfied with the an arrangements made, save Mr. McElwain. — Several councillors thought Mr. McElwain's claim is a fair subject to be referred to the sub-cominittee, and that there was no need for the Council to discuss the matter at present — This was agreed to, and the Council separated.
Milling still carried on at Western Springs in some form (presumably now steam powered, having sold the water supply), with Partington Bros. announcing they were taking on the mills now owned by the council: New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6122, 1 July 1881
Partington Bros, having taken those Flour Mills recently occupied by Messrs. Low and Motion.Auckland Star, Volume XV, Issue 3745, 11 August 1882
WESTERN FLOUR-MILLS AND OATMEAL MANUFACTORY.It was not a successful arrangement, and the Bros. eventually went bankrupt: Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 187, 11 August 1887
PARTINGTON BROS. Beg to Inform the public that they are now prepared to supply Superior Oatmeal in any quantity, guaranteed pure and fresh. Flour, Sharps, Bran, Wholemeal, Maizemeal, Maize, Oats, Fowl Wheat, &c., always on hand.
Depot — Karangahape Road, Newton.
Mills — Western Springs.
August 11, 1882.
Partington Bros.' Insolvency.and a similar report New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8025, 12 August 1887.
Edward Robert Partington made the following sworn statement to the Assignee today:— "In conjunction with my brother, Charles Frederick Partington, I took over a flour mill in Symonds-street, then idle, belonging to my father. The machinery was incomplete. Not having an available capital we raised some money on the property, and this with the aid of credit enabled us to get this mill into working order. We commenced work in September, 1877. In the year 1880 we transferred our business to a mill belonging to the Auckland City Council at the Western Springs where we continued with varying success, but always paying our way until Nov., 1886, when owing to a difficulty in negotiating credit for our supplies from the party with whom we had been in the habit of dealing all through, we were compelled to buy at a disadvantage, and this caused a very serious disarrangement in our business, so much so that on the 4th March following we called our creditors together the result of which was that all the principal creditors accepted our offer of 10s in the L, payable at three, six, nine and twelve months, without guarantee. The first bills matured on the 19th July, but none were met in cash; two or three, however, were supplied with goods to the full amount. On reconsideration, I think only one person was dealt with in this way, but our books will show. Before the first bills matured some of the principal creditors endeavoured to arrange for an assignment of the estate, as they saw we laboured under a great difficulty for the want of credit. The idea was to carry it on under our working management, and supply the necessary material through themselves, until all debts were paid in full. Effect was not given to this, although we were agreeable to it. On the 18th of July the creditors met for the purpose of finally considering the propriety of carrying on the business under trustees. No decision was come to as regards the action to be taken in carrying it on, but Messrs D. H. McKenzie and Robert Garrett were nominated trustees, and I believe they have received money for book debts, but no goods have been received on their order. On the 4th inst., the Auckland City Council distrained for rent, and we filed a petition of insolvency on the 6th. Our joint assets are as follows: Stock-in-trade at mill and Newton shop, L4O; book debts, L876 14s 9d, estimated to produce L250; household furniture, L20; machinery and tools, L877; horses, cart, buggy and poultry, Ll02; leaseholds, L100; surplus from securities as enumerated and scheduled, Ll50. Total, L1,539. The liabilities are: Unsecured creditors, L2,025 14s l0d; contingent ditto, L333 4s l0d. Total, L2,358 19s 8d - deficiency, L8l9 19s 8d. Want of capital has been our only difficulty, and as we cannot command this it is impossible for us to entertain the idea of attempting to offer any terms of compromise. To the best of my belief, everything in the nature of assets has been disclosed. My brother and I are bachelors, and we have lived together, and whatever we have is in common. Neither of us have private property apart from the other." Charles Frederick Partington swore as follows :— I have had my brother's sworn statement read over to me, and in all respects confirm what he has said. I have nothing further to add.
The Assignee in Bankruptcy tried to sell on the mill lease by tender: New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8028, 16 August 1887
IN THE MATTER OF PARTINGTON BROTHERS, BANKRUPTS.After that, he then tried to sell it by auction: Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 250, 25 October 1887
Separate Tenders are invited up to noon on SATURDAY, the 27th August, 1887 -
1st - For the Land, Buildings, and Machinery, at the Western Springs. leased by the Bankrupts from the City Council; eleven years to run, at £140 per annum; subject to a mortgage of £260, together with the Machinery put in by the Bankrupts and valued at £820; and Tramway Rights. The Mill is in good working order.
2nd - The Unexpired Term of Lease of Dwelling-house (10 years to run) at Western Springs. The House contains 16 rooms. There is stabling for 12 horses, Coach-house, etc.: together with 4 acres of Land. The rental is £40 per annum.
Tenders must be sealed and endorsed, "Tender for Partington Bros.' Estate," and accompanied by a cheque (marked as good for seven days) for 20 per cent. of the amount of the Tender.
Particulars and conditions at my office.
JOHN LAWSON, Official Assignee In Bankruptcy: Auckland, August 15, 1887.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, At 11 o'Clock.It appears no buyer was found: New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8088, 1 November 1887
IN THE ESTATE OF PARTINGTON BROS., BANKRUPTS.
G. W. BINNEY AND SONS. Have been favoured with instructions from J. Lawson, Esq., Official Assignee in Bankruptcy, to sell by public auction, on the grounds, Western Springs, on Thursday Oct. 27, at 11 o'clock, THE EQUITY OF REDEMPTION OF and in all that parcel of land being allotment Nos. 18a and 19 of Section No 9 of the Suburbs of Auckland, Parish of Waitemata, and County of Eden, together with the Flour Mill and other Erection standing thereon, and the Machinery, the property of the Lessors, affixed there held under lease dated 31st day of October, 1879, from the Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of the City of Auckland, for a term of years, expiring on the 1st day of November 1898, at the yearly rental of £140, payable quarterly in advance, on the 1st days of February, May, August, and November, and subject to the covenants and conditions contained in such Lease.
The Machinery, Trade Fixtures, and Fittings, erected in the said Mill by the Lessees, and belonging to them, and which comprise the following items, are included in the Sale :—
BARLEY MILL, GEAR, &c. SILK-DRESSING MACHINE, OATMEAL PLANT, consisting of Shellers, Grinders, Duster, Fan, Sieve, and Kiln, CRUSHING MACHINE, CHAFF-CUTTER, ELEVATORS and SIEVE and FORGE TOOLS, ANVIL, SMALL DRESSING MACHINE, GRINDSTONE and Gear, CLEANING MACHINE and FAN, SUPERHEATER and PIPES, BELTING, SILK on 2 Dressing Machines, WEIGHING MACHINE, 7 SIEVES, ROVER, PATENT HOIST And SUNDRIES. (Subject to a mortgage which is now owing and payable).
Also, all that piece of Land, containing 2 roods 27 1/2 perches, being part of Allotment 11 of Section 9 of the suburbs of Auckland, with the tramway laid down thereon, tramway gear and 2 sheds erected thereon. Held under a lease dated 12th day of July, 1882, for the term of 17 years from the 1st day of July, 1881, at the yearly rent of £5. payable half-yearly, on the 1st January and 1st July, and subject to the covenants and conditions contained in such lease.
All that Piece of Land being part of Allotment No. 13, of Section 9, of the Suburbs of Auckland, containing 3 acres more or less, together with the Brick Dwelling House, containing 16 rooms, stabling for 12 horses, Coach House, Fowl House, Cow Sheds, etc., erected thereon. Held under Lease dated 20th April, 1882, from the Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of the City of Auckland, for a term of years expiring on the 1st day of November 1898, at the yearly rent of £40, payable quarterly in advance on the 1st day of February, May, August and November and subject to the covenants and conditions contained in the said lease.
Further particulars and conditions can be obtained at the Mart of the Auctioneers. A 'Bus will leave the corner of Wyndham st. for Western Springs on day of Sale at 10.15 a.m.
Partington Bros.— was intended to hold a meeting yesterday morning of the creditors of Messrs. Partington Brothers in order to decide respecting the disposal of the estate, the auctioneers having failed to sell the machinery. The proposed meeting, however, lapsed for want of a quorum.Actions were also taken to sell the book debts of the partnership: New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8952, 17 January 1888
On the motion of Mr Cave, orders were granted empowering the Official Assignee to sell the book debts in the following bankrupt estates: ... Charles Frederick Partington and Robert Partington ...That soon lead to the closure of the bankruptcy: Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 36, 13 February 1888
On the motion of Mr Cave, on behalf of the Official Assignee, the bankruptcies in the following cases were declared closed, reports being favourable : — ... (4) Charles Frederick and Edward Robert PartingtonNew Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8985, 24 February 1888
A meeting of the creditors of Partington Bros., called for yesterday, could not be held, as a quorum was not present.
A 1932 article gave a colourful recollection of the days of the mill, including details of the 3 cutters named Jolly Miller, Dusty Miller, and Watchman which supplied the mill, and continuing the story through to the mill being used to prepare flax: Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1932
"MOTION'S MILL."
COLOUR ON THE HARBOUR.
A COSTLY BRIDGE.
EARLY HISTORY OF ZOO SITE.
(By OLD-TIMER.)
The account in a recent issue of the "Star" of the reconstruction of the road up the steep hill by the Zoo tempts me to offer some history of this locality in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies. "Motion's Mill" was a small zoo even then. Peafowl, guinea-fowl and turkeys ran about almost wild, and were shot as required. Pheasants were plentiful and flocks of a dozen or twenty could often be seen walking about the paddocks. Pigeons made their home above the stables, which were built right over the fresh-water stream. Lean, wide-horned wild Sydney bullocks were sometimes in the paddocks, and we youngsters were then warned to keep clear of them. The flour mill, with two huge water wheels to drive six sets of stones, stood right at the head of the tidal creek. Two dams conserved the water supply and flood-gates regulated the amount used, which was carried in a wooden race high above the road to the water wheels. A steam plant was also used when the water supply ran low.
Three cutters, the Jolly Miller, Dusty Miller and Watchman, owned by the firm of Lowe and Motion, and worked on shares by a crew of two, were in constant use collecting wheat from the ships in port and delivering flour. These cutters were worked up Motion's Creek with long poles (no internal combustion engines in those days), and often the crew would arrive at the mill bleeding from the shoulders from the strenuous use of the poles. Sometimes, on high spring tides, it would be possible to arrive, discharge, re-load and get out again on the same tide, but if they got stuck on an ebb tide it might mean a fortnight before they got off.
Much wheat was grown at Tamaki and shipped to the mill. Other cutters would then have to be chartered and I have seen thirteen stuck at the mouth of the creek together, one blocking the other. The old road up the hill wound into the present Zoo property to get a better grade, and three horses were required to pull up half a load, which was deposited on a platform at the top until the other half-load was brought up. Only the best of horses and proved staunch pullers were of any use, and those used by the firm cost up to £80 and £90 each. Maize was the chief corn used to feed the horses, most of it brought from Sydney by the "fast and favourite steamship Hero." The "fine new road" of the article referred to was also in existence then, and later was adopted as the regular route for the drays, which did two trips daily to the city, covering sixteen miles in all. How many trips would the present-day motor truck do?
Mr. Motion also held and worked the land on both sides of the Great North Road from Meola Creek to the Mental Hospital, and also from the mill to the site of the present speedway. At harvest time a dozen or more men would swing their scythes in perfect time. One day while mowing a crop of wheat one of the men dropped a lighted match, and the whole crop, cut and standing, also several stacks of oaten hay, was destroyed by fire. Wild duck soon found the burnt wheat and came in from the harbour at night to feed on it. One young fellow, now eighty years young, made some good bags on moonlight nights, the ammunition used being spent bullets picked up at the nearby butts and cut up into "slugs."
The mill and farm found work for many men. They were housed in two stone buildings, one for the millers, and the other for drivers and ploughmen. Team drivers received 25/ per week and "tucker." The social side was not neglected, and when stocks were low in the large grain store it would be cleaned out, decorated and prepared for a ball. The "dance at the mill" was a popular function and the elite of Auckland would roll up in strength. On these dance nights it would be almost impossible to hire a cab in Auckland, as any "cabby" not engaged would make some excuse to go out, as there was always plenty of "eats" and drink (mostly strong) for the "cabbies," mill hands, drivers, boatmen and any neighbours who cared to be there.
About 1875 the property was purchased by the Auckland City Council for £20,000, and the Western Springs water supply was carried to the young city with reservoirs at Ponsonby and the top of Symonds Street. Later the mill was again worked by Partington Bros., of windmill fame, who built a tramway to the top of the hill and wound the loaded truck up by horse-power. Later still, the old mill was used as a flax mill, but I have no knowledge of when it finally disappeared. Can any other old-timer tell me?
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