EARLY AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 13

EARLY AUCKLAND.

MEMORIES OF A PIONEER.

DIAMOND WEDDING TO-DAY.

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE HARDY. Memories of Auckland in the days when bullock waggons passed along Queen Street and often became stuck in the mud, and when pioneer residents of Avondale thought nothing of covering on foot the journey to Auckland and back as part of the day's programme, are retained by Mr. George Douglas Hardy, of Bollard Avenue, Avondale. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy will celebrate the diamond jubilee of their wedding to-day.

Mr. Hardy was born at Troon, Scotland, 83 years ago, and came to New Zealand in 1865 on tho ship Armstrong (Captain Armstrong). Things were unsettled in Auckland at the time so. Mr. Hardy joined an intercolonial trader and sailed between New Zealand and Australia for two years. He tired of life at sea and on settling in Auckland became an attendant at tho Avondale Mental Hospital. "The hospital was on the same site in those days as it is to-day, except that it was very much smaller," said Mr. Hardy. " When I joined there were about 200 patients, and I remember the people in the district used to combine to give them the most wonderful concerts. Of course, patients did not have the skilled medical treatment they have to-day, but they did not fare very badly. I visited the hospital again about a month ago and was amazed at the improvements made. I scarcely knew where I was, remembering the old days." Mr. Hardy was connected with the hospital in the days of provincial government and when there was no resident doctor. After he had been attendant for some years the Colonial Treasurer appointed him head attendant, which, in those days, was a position involving practically sole charge of the institution. A doctor called every afternoon for about an hour or two to prescribe medicine and examine patients, but apart from this Mr. Hardy had no supervision of his administration. After 20 years' work at the hospital Mr. Hardy retired and entered business. He retired from active business some 20 years ago. Mrs. Hardy, who before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Middlebrook, was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to New Zealand on the ship Shalimar (Captain Harley) three years before her husband. They were married by the late Rev. Dr. Wallis. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy were among the first residents of Avondale. There were very few houses in the Avondale district when they settled there and the only means of getting to the city was by foot or horseback, along a rough track. In the early days Mr. Hardy was a prominent Mason, and is a past grand master of the Newton Mark Lodge, and of Lodge Eden. Among his greatest treasures are presentations in the form of medallions from these institutions.

Mr. and Mrs. Hardy have three sons and three daughters living. There are also 24 grandchildren and 14 great-grand-children.