TWO HOBSONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 234, 2 October 1937, Page 8

TWO HOBSONS.

IN EARLY AUCKLAND HISTORY

(By C. B. HAY.)

It is amazing how often quite reasonable but utterly erroneous conjecture is accepted as fact, especially if the conclusion jumped to is more effective than the actuality. In this category is the illusory association of Governor and Mrs. Hobson with "St. Leonard's," Takapuna, and Hobs on' 6 Buildings, with which neither Governor Hobson nor his widow had the remotest connection.

In a scries of articles appearing in print here a few years ago on the founders of Auckland, Mr. William Hobson had honourable place, and the writer then said that he must not be confused with his namesake, Governor Hobson; now it would appear that Mr. Hobson has been completely forgotten and his widow confused with Captain Hobson's widow. .Mr. Hobson, merchant, was a man of wealth and importance In the young town of Auckland and established what must have been one of the first bonded stores, in Shortland Street, where he erected Hobson's Buildings, doing a great volume of business during the Maori War, the accountant being Mr. Cawkwell, father of the late Dr. Cawkwell, of Remuera. In addition to this and other town properties, he owned a great deal of what is now Meadowbank. In the early 'sixties he and Mrs. Hobson visited England, bringing back with them his nephew, Harry Maxfield, then a youth of 18, who found the prospects of life in a "young land more alluring than the course of Continental study planned for him. Mr. Maxfield was in his uncle's business till the latter's death; thereafter, on his own account. Full of interesting reminiscences, he spent many years in retirement at Henley Grove, Market Road, long the family home, where he died five years ago and where some of his daughters still reside. Died at Sea. Over seventy years ago Mr. Hobson, destined never again to see the land either of his birth or of his adoption, sailed for England to consult a specialist about his eyes. He died unexpectedly on the yoyage at the relatively early age of 50, and was buried at sea in January, 1867. At his death his widow succeeded to the buildings {hat bore his name, and this is the lady who became the owner of "St. Leonard's," Takapuna. The house in which she lived still stands. Their only child Sarah, having married Colonel Burton after her fathers death, Colonel and Mrs. Burton lived where the Wilson Home now is, a lovely place then, as it is to-day. Eventually "St. Leonard's" and Hobson's Buildings were sold jointly to the Wilson estate, and Mrs. Hobson, her son-in-law and daughter, went to live in England at. Bournemouth, the colonel predeceasing his wife.

Hobson's Buildings, at one time occupied by Kempthorne, Prossers, remained in the Wilson estate until purchased by the National Bank, which acquired the adjoining property as well, the buildings then being demolished and the present bank premises erected on the site. Thus in the onward march of time the name of Hobson, once so familiar, disappeared from Sliortland Street, but happily there still remains a memorial to him in Auckland. In St. Matthew's Church is the stained-glasA window given by Mrs. Burton in memory of her father, who was one of its earliest members and a most devoted and generous supporter. It may be of interest to recall that he inaugurated the building of the present church with a* gift (or bequest) of £500.

Bequest to City. Mrs. Hobson, widowed for perhaps 50 years or more, reached an advanced age, being alive as recently as the Great War, when her late husband a great-niece, then Sister Maxfield, was iii England, one of New Zealand's Army nursing sisters. Mrs. Burton survived her mother by some years, keeping throughout her long residence in England a warm place in her heart for Auckland, the scene of her early days where as a child she rode her pony about its rather primitive streets—guiltless then of traffic officers!—and where the first years of her married life were spent. At her death she left some thousands of pounds, subject to a life interest, to the Auckland City Council, the particulars of this bequest not being at the moment available. The means for her benefactions originated in her father's estate. (Mr*. Maxfield, who died a year or two before her husband, was one of the Cardus family, well known here in earlv davs, and whose brother, Mr. Cardus, married Miss Webster, of the historic Webster family of Hokianga.) The Burton marriage having been childless, Mr. and Mrs. William Hobson have no descendants, and this may in a measure explain the very much to be regretted oblivion that seems to be enshrining their memory in the city Mr. Hobsoij helped in its beginnings to build up, and which has received liberally, and will vet receive, of his substance. Honour to whom honour is due.