5. EMMA
married JAMES ARTHUR EDMUND (JIM) SHORT at the Registrar's
Office, Auckland on 18th March 1898.
View James and Emma's Marriage Certificate here.
Their thirteen
children –
(1) MARY
KATHLEEN (dec'd).
No family.
(2)
WILLIAM JAMES (BILL) (dec’d)
m
Myra Josephine Millar (dec’d)
Josephine Theresa
m Graham
William Thomas Holland (dec'd)
John (dec’d)
Susan Theresa
m Graeme Ronald
Phillip Hughes
Alexandria
Marie
Staci Josephine
Gaylene Michele
m David Paul
Wood
Nicholas Paul
Vivien
Josephine
m Robert John
Grove
Margaret Ellen
(Maggie)
Grace Patricia
Colleen Mary
m Des Patrick Jordan
Laurence
William (Larry)
m Adrienne
Jayne Smith
Kieren Patrick
Mallory Jane
Richard Grant
(Grant)
m Diane Jan Bosher
Janna Rose
Brittney (dec’d)
Shannay Hillary
Kerry John
m Patricia
Elaine Knight
Patricia
Madge (dec’d)
m Barry Walter George Ward
Mark Kevin
Leanne Marie
m Phillip
Gardiner
Joshua Hayden
Brianna
Patricia
Angela Helen
m Murray
Haywood
Samantha Elise
Mitchell Jack
Riley Dean
Rochelle
Patricia
m Howard
Barrett
Elaine Elizabeth
m Barry Peter
O'Malley (dec’d)
Peter James
Vaughan Ainsley
Karlin Elizabeth
m Regan Blain
Somers
Bridget Elaine
Naomi Margaret
m Phil Joseph Schultz
Kristine Anne
m Brett Tristram
Kayleigh Nicole
Jeffery Philip
& Tania Browne
Jordan Reece
Wayne Michael
& Erin Collins
Cody Mark
Jessie James
Wilma Myra (Billie)
m Elton John Knight
Tracey Michele
m John Phillips
Devon Brooke
Kendall Grace
Glen Elton
m Vanessa Leber
Darren John
(3)
THOMAS ASPIN SHORT (dec’d)
m
Beryl Fabian (dec’d)
Maurice Aspin
m Carol Joy Pickering
Gregory Maurice
m Julie Ann
Vickery
Matthew James
Joshua Gregory
Aidan John
Brandon Maurice
Mark Raymond
m Penny
Lorraine Burrows
Jeremy Thomas
Sophie Lorraine
Alice Mary Rose
Bronwyn Therese
m Stephen
Maurice Griffin
Brittany
Therese
Arielle Rose
Matthew John
Marcella Ruby
Claudia Emma
(4) JOHN
HENRY (JACK) (dec'd)
m Gwendoline Myra Moyle
Marilyn Vivian
m Raymond Cairns
Lauretta Marilyn
m Gerard Karl
Luana
Jake
Jacqueline Mae
&
Shaun
Bailee
Adrian Raymond
Henry
Nelda
Marlene Emma
m Frederick James Putt
Sharon Marie
m Richard Winter
Jakob
Jeffrey Paul
John Gary
m Fae Thomas
Stephen John
Vicki Maree
Gladys
m Terrence Howard
Patrick Francis
Kylie Ann
Stuart Paul
John
(5) JAMES
WILLIAM (JIM) (dec'd)
m
Rose Newlyn (dec’d)
Marion Emma
m Leo Clayton May
Debbie Leanne
m Graham Bruce
Berry
James Graham
Peter Bruce
Andrea Lynn
m Ian Raymond
Adams
Lynlee Rose
Neil John
Leon Andre Ian
Tracy Frances
m Geoffrey Kenneth Letcher
Emma Frances
Sophie Eva
Jack
James Francis (Jim)
m Stephanie
Mabel Conway (dec’d)
Christine Ann
m Eddie Robert Kuysten
Rachel Marie
Joshua Edward
James
Stuart James
Jeffrey
m Karen Mare
Hintz
Emma Lea
Natasha Marie
Sarah Ann
Martin James
Samantha
Elizabeth
Benjamin Ray
Laurence Arthur
m Patricia
Evelyn Profner
Lynette Ann
m Matthew Dalamore
Kim Marie
Jason Mathew
Peter Laurence
Kevin James
m Lee
Ayla
Anthena
Arian
Stephen Carl
Heather Helen
m Allan Arthur Bunn
Philippa Marie
m Wayne Godinet
Christopher
James
Nadia Marie Ihimaera
Michelle
Veronica
m Rick Haliday
Leah
Ivan
m Merilyn
Curreen
David (dec'd)
Michael Andrew
Kerry David
m Sarah Tepania
Lisa Maree
m Ashley
Tristan Wallace
Angela Tracy
m Joshua Ace
Marx
Chantel Wynter
(6)
LESLIE EARL (dec'd).
No family.
(7)
ARTHUR EDMOND (ARTIE) dec’d
No family.
(8)
ROBERT JOSEPH CALLAN (BOB) (dec'd)
m Louisa
Charlotte Queen (dec’d)
Mervyn
Robert (dec’d)
Lois Elma
m Ronald Keith
Dickey (dec'd)
(Lois’s partner is Joseph Saunders)
Christine Ann
m Robert Leslie
McCulloch
(Christine
remarried Rowan Muir)
Karin Lois
m Gordon King
Robert Victor
Amy Lois
Douglas Ronald Mervyn (dec'd)
Olwyn Mary
m Kelvin Blakeborough
Colin Lester
& Glennis Clark
Erin Rose Blakeborough
Dianne Mary
m James Mooney
Dennis John
m Jennifer Allen
Ashley Louise
(9)
MICHAEL EDWARD (EDDIE) (dec’d)
m Louisa Charlotte Queen
Wayne Michael
m Roseanne Shirley Hall
Cameron Michael
Keith
Logan Douglas
Andrew
Rhyan Grant Thomas
(Eddie
remarried Gertrude Halcrow (dec’d)
(10) OWEN
FRANCIS (dec’d)
m Elva McDonald
Carol Mary
m John Dennis Hickey
Sheryl Maree
Phillip John
Janice Ann
m Gerald Mark Wilson
Bevan Mark
Simon Francis
Glenys
Joy
(11)
DONALD SYLVESTER (dec’d)
m Daphne Elizabeth (Poppy) Knight.
Robert Arthur
& Marlaine
Urlich
Bailey James
Donna Elizabeth
m Adrian Adlai Woods
Teri Brooke
Dylan
Susan Mary
(12)
FRANCIS ADRIAN (FRANK) (dec’d)
m Theresa Margaret Neil
Kathleen Margaret
m Gregory Dickson Lowe
Robert Gregory
m Louisa
Robertson
Nathan Robert
Angela Margaret
m Campbell Ludbrook
David James
Phillip Adrian
Monica Frances
m Geoffrey
Watson McClay
Sharleen Frances
Jarrod Geoffrey
(13)
MARGARET EMMA THERESA (dec’d)
m Alwyn Laurence (Sandy) Perry (dec'd)
Lorraine Mary
m Brian Donald Hull
Joanne Margaret
m Steven Dinnison Morriss
Sandie Donnelle
m
Benjamin Hugh Judge
Jordan Sydney
Judge
Lucinda Ruth
Karen Maree
Mervyn
Laurence
View
Emma Aspin's Birth Certificate here.
According to
her official birth certificate,
Emma
was born at Awhitu on the 30th January 1882. According to
her official marriage certificate she was married on the
18th March 1898, aged 17 years. A simple mathematical
calculation shows that these dates don't match. According
to her birth certificate, John her father was aged 40
years, and Margaret her mother was aged 36. These dates do
not tie-in with some of the other certificates we have
obtained – in fact lots of them do not actually tie-in!!
We doubt the accuracy of the details as printed on some of
these certificates and wander if Emma’s birth certificate
is correct.
We suggest that this could be the date on which her birth
was actually registered. However, she passed away in
December 1954 aged 72, which would put her birth date as
1882. It is all quite confusing…
As outlined in
the earlier chapters of this website, ships records show
that an Emma and Margaret Aspin arrived in New Zealand on
the Sydenham on the 22nd March 1881, and we suggest there
that she could have been born in the U.K, possibly Ireland
or on board ship. But immigration records show that name
as being Emma and Margaret Aslin…..It has been
verbally indicated to me by quite a number of people that
the family arrived on board the Sydenham and this is the
only journey this ship made to Auckland. It made one more
journey and that was to Lyttelton on 30th
January 1882. So as we said earlier, there are just
many unanswered questions….
Or, her birth certificate could be 100% accurate and she
could well have been born at Awhitu on 30th
January 1882. She celebrated her birthday on the 1st
February. To establish the real facts is probably
unimportant, certainly a little difficult, and so the
question simply remains open.
As with the
other members of the family, Emma worked hard on the farm
as a child, although of course her first years at Awhitu
were as a baby and toddler. She would have dug gum along
with her sisters and brother, looked after and milked the
cows, cut ti-tree and scrub and helped in all the manual
work that goes with developing land in those days, as well
as maintaining the household. As with the others in the
family, we always understood that she too never received
any formal education, although, also like the others, she
did learn to read and to write. Elaine O’Malley, daughter
of Bill and Myra, has done some more research for herself
on the life of her grandmother Emma. From that we see
that she did attend school at Awhitu, sitting an exam on
19th October 1896 and passing reading, spelling
and dictation, writing, drawing and arithmetic. I am
sure there is some more data we can put in here covering
that time in her life.
Emma was
married to James Arthur Edmund (Jim) Short at the
Registrar's Office, Auckland, on the 18th March 1898. Her
occupation is given as 'Domestic Duties' and his as
'Labourer', both living at Awhitu, Jim being 22 years of
age, and Emma 17. Jim is the son of William and Mary Ann
Short, and is the brother of Charlie. He was born in a
nikau whare at Awhitu in September 1875 and went to school
at Awhitu Central and Auckland Grammar, and he worked as a
bushman at Awhitu working a pit saw. For a time he and
Charlie worked in the Wairamarama area, and Jim would
swim his horse over the Waikato River and ride up the
coast to Awhitu.
Jim and Emma
made their home at Big Bay for a time, then moved to their
home in Boiler Gully Road, both on the Awhitu Peninsula.
During this time their three eldest children, Mary, Bill
and Tom were born. Jim worked for J.D.Kemp breaking in
horses and doing farm work, and also worked with his
brother Charlie, driving his bullock team. At this point,
they packed up and moved up to Kennedy Bay/Mercury Bay
area, which is on the Coromandel Peninsula. This was
around 1902 or early 1903 and Jim was working with
Charlie's bullock team up there. With them also were other
members of the Short family, as well as Jack Aspin. Their
fourth child Jack, was born at Coromandel, and Emma spent
some time in hospital after his birth as she was in poor
health. Jim was quite well known for his successes in
athletics. While living at Coromandel, a champion
Australian runner who was visiting, was challenged by Jim.
The bushmen took the hat around and they bet one hundred
pounds on Jim, which was big money in those days - and you
guessed, he won convincingly! He also played rugby while
here as well as in Waiuku.
They returned to Awhitu, living at Big Bay and then Boiler
Gully, and James, junior, Leslie and Arthur were all born
here. Bill, their eldest son, recalls that they collected
water from a spring, which was up the side of the hill
away from the house. Emma used to take the washing up
there to do it, and they would have to cart the water from
there down to the house. At this time Jim went to work for
Bob Tindall, breaking in horses and riding buck jumpers.
It was in 1909 that Jim rode Bob Tindall's horse,
Batchelor, to victory at Ellerslie. He rode the hurdles on
Saturday, and the Steeple on Monday, Batchelor carrying
l2st 71b.
You have to
pause and think on this…….
Here is a horse being grazed at Waipipi and racing at
Ellerslie. How did he get the animal to Ellerslie in
1908/09? Easy – he rode it there and rode it home
again. It is suggested he probably took two days to get
there, resting the horse easily but just as likely one day
to get it home again.
In November
1910, they shifted into Bill Gleeson's house at Waipipi,
Jim and Bill Gleeson sharemilking for Jack Herold, and
Robert and Edward were born here. Some time later Jim and
Bill Short purchased a farm which was back towards the
sandhills at Waipipi. They divided this into two,
including the herd, the dividing line being from the road
right down beside the house and out towards the coast.
They required a second house, so a woolshed from out the
back was towed on skids with bullocks to the site where
Ross Brighouse's home is now. This temporary accommodation
was converted into something resembling a home, and the
family moved in. Owen would have bought the family up to
10 at this point. Bill Short built a cowshed behind the
house and milked for two seasons, then Jim purchased
Bill's half, selling the front part to Harry Merrick, and
the back part later became part of Frank's farm. He now
farmed over 580 acres. As there was no proper home on the
farm, Jim had the homestead built, being built by Charlie
Short, payment being 200 acres of land at Boiler Gully,
Awhitu. The timber for the homestead was pit sawn at
Awhitu then transported by barge from Awhitu to Waipipi
Wharf, then carted by bullock team to the site on the
farm. I think the two kauri trees growing in front of the
homestead were retrieved from the bush and planted there.
Emma and Jim shifted into the homestead on 1st September
1917, and Don was born that night. Frank and Margaret were
also born in this home, thus the family was complete at
thirteen – a baker’s dozen.
For the next
few years Jim and family milked cows, milking by hand, and
sometimes milking the cows in the paddock, then Jim
acquired a contract from the Dairy Company to cart the
cream. His son Don remembers these times, and says it was
quite an occasion to go into town with him. Jim had a team
of five horses, and he would stop them at Butchers Road,
unhitch the two leaders and tie them up to a tree or post,
then go on into town with the others, picking up the
leaders on the way back. They also owned a gig too, and
this was big time! To own and drive a gig was a mark of
achievement, most only had a dray with a box or something
for Mum and Dad to sit on, the family on the deck behind
them. Jim became a general carrier, using a horse and
cart, then five horses and a wagon, then later purchased a
Model T Ford, and after that a Model A, the latter being
taken over by Jim junior when he grew up. Jim worked a lot
of the time putting shells on the Waipipi roads, and we
have described in another section of this book just how
that operation was carried out.
All this time
of course, Emma's life was totally absorbed in bringing up
her family. She had a warmth that was unique to her, a
total dedication to her family and was greatly respected
by all who knew her. She loved her garden, and had a good
vegetable and flower garden. She grew the family's
vegetables and stored them using fern and only purchased
the necessary essentials. She made all the bread and
butter for her family, cured the ham and bacon, as well as
smoking the fish, and would thoroughly enjoy a day out
fishing with Jim. She was also very good with needlework,
especially crocket. Jim was a regular fisherman, making a
habit of going fishing right at milking time! Dan Aspin
recalls that on the end of a net, Jim had no rival. He had
the ability to seemingly “run on top of the water” and was
quite something to watch in action. He also had an uncanny
ability at spotting the fish. Many times they caught that
many that they had to come home and get the horse and the
sledge to bring the catch home. When they had a large
catch they delivered the fish (all cleaned) as far a field
as Paerata. Jim and most of their family were very keen
and capable horsemen, and this we have covered a little
more in the sports chapter of this book. They were members
of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, and on some occasions they had
the Hunt breakfast at the Waipipi homestead. He was a very
good rabbiter and was instrumental in forming the Waipipi
Rabbit Board. He was a Trustee of the Waipipi Hall
Committee, Chairman of the Waipipi Cemetery Reserve, a
riding member of the Franklin County Council and an active
member of the local National Party, and Chairman of the
Taurangaruru and Waipipi School Committees. The Waipipi
farm was later divided into two and purchased by Don and
Frank. Frank sold his farm prior to retirement and Don
still farmed and lived in the homestead until his passing
in Feb. 1997.
In 1947 Jim and Emma purchased a farmlet in Kitchener
Road, Waiuku where their home was built and Jim milked
cows and broke in a few horses for a number of years. Emma
passed away very suddenly on the 4th December 1954 in
their home, aged 72 years and Jim continued on living with
their daughter Mary. He later sold the sections and the
rest of his farm, keeping the house, and established a
very good orchard and garden. He always pruned his own
trees and was still pruning, much to everyone's horror,
when well into his eighties. He purchased one of the first
Ford V8 cars and drove successive V8's with some
hair-raising moments, having his license till he was 90.
In 1963 he and Mary moved to go and live with his daughter
Margaret and Sandy Perry, loved visiting the Kentish Hotel
to talk to friends, and Jim passed away on the 17th March
1968, at the grand old age of 92. He was a very popular
Grandfather, and just a few months before he passed away,
he was given a fitting write-up in the local paper, the
very appropriate headlines to this story being "Ride a
Horse and Live Long". Jim and Emma's final resting place
is at the Waipipi Cemetery, alongside their daughter Mary
and sons Leslie and Artie.
(1)
MARY - was born on the 27th September 1898,
and gained her schooling at the Orua Bay School. When she
left school she helped at home, looking after her brothers
and sister. She was an expert cook, excelling in making
butter, bread, buns, cakes and icecream. She lived for her
family, and took a great interest in them, and was thought
very highly of by everyone, especially her many nieces and
nephews. Mary shifted into Kitchener Road with her
parents, and continued to help, looking after her father
after Emma died. She loved gardening and also drove the V8
- very cautiously. In her later years she did a lot of
needlework. In 1963, suffering from poor health, she went
with her father to live with her sister Margaret and Sandy
Perry and remained here until her death on the 11th
October 1964, aged 66 years. She is buried at Waipipi.
(2)
WILLIAM JAMES (BILL) - born on the 27th
November 1899 when Jim and Emma were living at Big Bay and
as a three or four year old he would have gone with his
parents to live at the Kennedy Bay and Mercury Bay area on
the Coromandel Peninsula. They returned to live at Big Bay
and it was while here that Bill started school. He
remembers he used to walk overland from Big Bay to Orua
Bay to attend school, and then walk overland home again.
When the family
moved to Boiler Gully, he continued his schooling at Orua
Bay, then completed it at Waipipi. When he was 14 years
old he left school and went working for his Uncle, Charlie
Short, driving bullocks as Charlie had his mill at Te Toro
at this time. When questioned about the difficulties
involved in yoking up a team of bullocks, Bill recalls
that it was never too difficult. They had their moments,
but Charlie's team had it down to a fine art. One only had
to yard and then yoke the two leaders, Roney and Nelson,
then call out the next two, Martin and Kelly, and they
would saunter up to be yoked, then the next two would come
to be yoked, followed in turn by the rest of the team,
arriving in their pairs - they knew the order of things!
After this, he
went milking cows for a time, and recalls that two of them
milked 24 cows (12 each) by hand, and he earned the
princely sum of fifteen shillings per week. This was
followed by a time working for the County shovelling
metal. Then he went to work for Bill Hosking. Here he
drove a team of horses, up to six horses in a team, doing
allsorts of things, including road and cartage work. Bill
recalls the time a team of five horses got themselves
bellied in the mud on the beach. One horse went down, and
took the rest of the team with him. They were buried, way
up to their backs in the sand and mud, and the tide was
coming in! Panic stations followed, and after a lot of
sweat, they managed to get them all out, but only just. A
lot of work was done then picking up loads of shells off
the barge at Te Toro to put on the road in the Waiuku/Kohekohe
areas. Bill spent some time working leveling the site for
the Paerata Dairy Factory, which is a fairly large complex
today, and says that at that stage it was just a puggy
mess, with mud up to their knees.
Bill married a
Pukekohe girl, Myra Miller, at Pukekohe on the 19th
November 1930. Myra was born in Goulburn, N.S.W.,
Australia, but had lived in Pukekohe most of her life.
They were married by Father Malloy, and made their home in
Waiuku, and in fact have lived in Waiuku all their lives
since. Their six daughters were all born in Waiuku, and
educated here. Bill was a keen horseman, in the true
tradition of this Short family, and was a keen member of
the Pakuranga Hunt Club for many years. Apart from riding,
he also took his turn to prepare the fields for the Hunt
at the times that they were jumping in the Waipipi area.
Bill continued
working for Bill Hosking for some time until he bought his
own truck, and started his own carrying/contracting
business, and continued at this for the rest of his
working life, carrying in and around the Waiuku/Franklin
area. (It is perhaps interesting to note that upon
retiring, Bill sold a truck to John Hatton, and another to
Jack Knight, and thus through a chain of circumstances, it
could be said perhaps that Awhitu Transport and Knight and
Dickey Limited originated from Bill Short's own carrying
business!). Bill retired about 1963 and for a time enjoyed
a little spot of farming, but since then he and Myra have
lived in their home in Pacific Street, enjoying their
family and friends and working in their garden. Myra's
life has been devoted to her family, but found time in the
busy years to do a little bit of catering, and then her
outstanding contribution towards the volunteer Church and
welfare organisations in the town. She has been a great
supporter and member of Catholic Women's League since
1934, and recently received an Award for service to the
League, and a member of Plunket for 16 years. She has been
a keen gardener and is still busy with her handcrafts,
etc. At the Aspin family centenary reunion in
January 1981 it was Bill who had the honour of cutting the
centenary cake. Bill was the oldest surviving grandchild
of John and Margaret Aspin. He passed away after a
short illness on 16th December 1984. Eighteen
months later Myra moved from Pacific Street to a unit at
the top of Queen Street, which she enjoyed immensely.
Her health deteriorated and she died on 30th
December 1987. Both Bill and Myra are buried in the
Waiuku Cemetery.
Josephine
-
born on the 28th September 1932, and when she left school
she went to work in a fruit shop in Waiuku, and Myra
recalls that Josie's wages then were one pound per week.
On the 19th March 1955 she was married to Graham Holland.
Graham was from Waihi, and after their marriage they made
their home at Turua, before moving to Papatoetoe. The
couple continued living in Papatoetoe but, sadly, Graham
passed away on the 26th May 1980 after a long
illness. Josie worked as a Forewoman at San Michelle
Cosmetics at Manukau City, along with her sister Elaine.
Eventually she left work but kept herself busy whether it
be in her garden or her workshop. Life has thrown up
another challenge when Josie was critically injured in a
tragic car accident on 26th July 1989.
They have three
daughters who all attended College at Otahuhu, and who are
also all very good dressmakers. The eldest, Susan,
was born in 1960, enjoyed a very long association with the
Guiding Movement in New Zealand, and worked as a
stenographer in the Central Post Office in Auckland. Susan
married Graeme Hughes from Ngatea in August 1984. Graeme
is a ‘chippie’ by trade ie he is a builder. Susan
continued her clerical work, working for the Forest
Service and then Toyota in Thames. At the present time
Sue and Graeme own a business called “Lancewood Creations”
which operates from Kohunui Street in Ngatea producing
native timber products and gift lines which they sell all
over NZ. They have two daughters, Alexandria who
was born in February 1989 and Staci who was born in
April 1991 and they attend Ngatea Primary School.
Second daughter Gaylene, was born in 1962, and she
too worked in the Central Post Office, Auckland, as a
typist. In December 1984 she married David Wood and they
have a son Nicholas who was born in September 1989 and
attends school in Howick. David is employed by the
Fletcher Group as an Accountant. In February 1997 the
family left to spend time in London where David worked for
his company for about 2 years. They put in a lot of
touring around at this point as you can imagine. They are
now settled back in NZ making their home in Howick where
Gaylene works part-time as a clerical assistant.
Vivien
was born in 1964, enjoying her art very much, and sat her
University Entrance in the early 1980s. She left school
and worked for San Michelle and then a manufacturing
jeweller being very talented in art and making
jewellery. She then went to work for Yates where she
still works part-time. Viv married Rob Grove in February
1997 and have made their home in Otahuhu. Rob is a
mechanic, employed by Toyota and the couple have a
daughter Magaret born in September 1998 and Grace
who was born in 2001.
Colleen
- born on the 5th July 1934, and left school to work in a
sewing business in Waiuku, and continued on here until her
marriage to Des Jordon at Waiuku in May 1955. Des was a
farmer from Kerepehi, and they have made their home
there. They retired from farming in 1989 and bought a
home in Ngatea and have both enjoyed time playing golf,
etc. Colleen has contributed to a lot of community
organizations and was honoured recently at a Lioness
Awards evening recognizing her work in the community.
Des keeps busy on their run-off and has also spent time
assisting the green keeper at Hauraki Golf Club. Des and
their eldest son Larry have spent many hours restoring two
of Bill Short’s Diamond T. Trucks.
Their three sons all were born in Paeroa, and educated at
Ngatea. Larry was born in May 1958, continued
living with his parents at Turua for some time while he
was truck driving, operating around the Hauraki Plains
area and beyond, or wherever. In 1992 he married Adrienne
Smith, making their home in Ngatea. They have two
children – son Kieren born in May 1993 and a
daughter Mallory who was born in 1995. Both
children attend the Ngatea Primary School.
Grant
was born in December 1959, and was a linesman with the
Electricity Department. He married Dianne Bosher who came
from Thames, and they made their home in Australia. The
couple returned to live for a while in Waiuku, Grant being
employed by Counties Power specializing in arbor work
where trees interfered with power lines. They have two
daughters. Janna was born in Australia in 1986 and
Shannay who was born in NZ in 1990 and they attend
the Coromandel Area School.
The third member of the family is Kerry, born
January 1965, and worked in a brass foundery in Thames. He
travelled extensively overseas for about four years before
returning to NZ and he bought a home in Thames working on
the Thames coast as a stonemason. In 1998 he married
Trish Knight who is a registered nurse and works mainly
with the elderly.
Patricia
- born on the 20th November 1939 and apart from primary in
Waiuku, she also attended the Pukekohe Convent. She left
school and worked in Wallace Supplies for a while, then
trained at the Mater Hospital to be a nurse. She married
Barry Ward at Waiuku on the 8th September 1962. Barry was
from Auckland and was a fitter and turner, then a motor
mechanic, and they made their home in Manurewa. With their
family all grown-up Patricia rejoined the work force
working as a doctor’s practice nurse. Tragedy overcame
all reason when two sisters, Patricia and Josephine were
involved in a terrible car accident on 26th
July 1989 – and Patricia did not survive it. Publicity
was given to this case but publicity and hearings change
nothing !!!! Tricia is buried in the Waiuku
cemetery. Barry has now remarried and lives in
retirement at Orua Bay on the Manukau Heads.
Barry and Tricia have four children, all born at the Mater
Hospital and all gained their education in Manurewa.
The eldest,
Mark, was born in 1963 and now works in the Auckland
Post Office as a Wages Clerk. He currently resides in
Papatoetoe and is an avid follower and very involved with
the Commodore Car Club.
Leanne
was born in 1964 and worked as a clerical worker with the
Southern Cross. In 1994 she married Phil Gardiner and
they have built a home in Manukau City. They have two
children – Joshua, born in November 1995 and
Brianna born in September 1997.
Angela,
born in 1967, attended Manurewa High School and when she
left school she did clerical work, firstly for Cavalier-Bremworth
and then Nestle. After travelling extensively overseas,
Angela married Murray Haywood. They have two children,
Samantha born in June 1995 and Mitchell who
was born in June 1998. A third child was expected as we
gathered for our 120th reunion in January 2001,
arrived safely, and is named Riley. The family
reside in Manukau.
Rochelle,
born November1970 also attended Papatoetoe High School.
She trained as a nanny but took up employment first in Day
Care and then training “Parents as First Teachers”,
ironically visiting families in the Franklin and Waiuku
areas. In January 1995 she married Howard Barrett and
they are presently living at Patumahoe.
Elaine
- born on the 24th November 1941, and when she left school
she worked in a milk-bar in Waiuku, then went nurse-aiding
at the Mater for a time before taking a job private
nursing followed by childrens’ nursery school. She married
Barry O'Malley in Auckland on 14th December 1961. Barry
came from Auckland and has worked for Levenes, being a
manager of various branches of this firm throughout the
South Auckland area. They made their home in the newly
developed suburb of Otara, with their three children.
Elaine worked for San Michelle Cosmetics in Manukau City,
working with her sister Josie. Eventually they moved to
Papatoetoe where Barry continued with Levenes, managing
the Papatoetoe shop. Elaine was employed in the real
estate sector as a property manager. It was not long
after they settled into their new home that Barry had a
massive heart attack and was seriously ill for a long
time. This was to prove to be the end of his working
life. Elaine gave up her job eventually to nurse him,
suffering health problems herself. Barry had one great
desire and that was to travel to Ireland to trace his
ancestors and they were lucky that they managed to do that
in 1996. After eight years of extreme bad health Barry
passed away on Fathers’ Day, 3rd September
2000.
Peter
was born 1966, attended Papatoetoe Primary and then
College. He has followed in his father’s footsteps and
started his working life at Levenes. He later moved on
to The Warehouse, working firstly in retail and then
setting up new branches. He then studied a
travel/tourism course and is now employed with Qantas.
Vaughan,
born 1971, and attended Papatoetoe Primary School. He
also spent time at Levenes before joining the Resene group
where he now manages their Manukau store. His spare time
is taken up with kung fu in which he is the holder of a
black belt and also teaches in the discipline. Vaughan
is a keen fisherman and really enjoys his boating.
Karlin,
was born in 1972 and when she completed her schooling at
Papatoetoe High she began work at K.Mart in Papatoetoe
when it first opened. She also moved on to work with The
Warehouse and this is where she is now. Karlin married
Regan Somers early in March 2001 and they have made their
home in Glenfield with their daughter Bridget who was born
in February 2003.
Naomi
- born on the 12th May 1945, and went to work in the Post
Office in Waiuku after leaving school, and continued on
there until her marriage to Phil Schultz. They were
married in Waiuku on the 19th February 1966, Phil from
Auckland, was a mechanic, and they have made their home in
Waiuku, as Phil now works at New Zealand Steel Mill at
Glenbrook. They have three children, all born in Waiuku,
and all attended school in Waiuku. Naomi rejoined the
work force, taking a position back in the Post Office in
Waiuku. She has continued living in Waiuku and now
works part-time driving Special Needs children to and from
other schools in Pukekohe.
Kristine
was born in 1967 and attended Waiuku College. She now
lives in Glenfield. She married Brett Tristram in March
1994 and she works for a large hotel/motel complex in
Auckland doing reception and administration work. They
have daughter Kayleigh who was born in February
1996.
Jeffrey
was born in Waiuku in 1969 and after completing his
schooling he trained as a truck mechanic. He now lives in
Greerton, Tauranga, driving trucks and he and his partner
Tania have a son Jordan who was born in May 1993.
Wayne
was born in 1971 and he attended Intermediate School in
Waiuku. He has worked in the hospitality industry and is
a chef in Howick. Wayne and his ex-partner Erin have
two sons – Cody, born in October 1991 and Jesse
born on 30th December 1993. Jesse was born on
the 6th anniversary of the passing of his
great-grandmother Myra Short.
Wilma
(Billie) - Bill and Myra's sixth daughter, also attended
the Pukekohe Convent after Waiuku Primary. Upon leaving
school she worked as a Clerical Assistant with a
Solicitor's firm in Waiuku, and continued on here until
her marriage to Elton Knight in Waiuku on the 20th April
1968. Elton comes from Waiuku and worked in a Menswear
Shop in Waiuku, and now he and Wilma own this shop, known
as Knights' Menswear. Along with all the usual
activities any Mum gets herself involved in, Wilma also
assists Elton in the shop and twenty years on, in 2001,
this still remains the only menswear shop in Waiuku while
Wilma has continued on with her passion for cake
decorating and in this capacity she has been a teacher at
night school at Waiuku College. Elton has taken up
playing golf and has also recently joined the firm of
Grahams Funeral Directors following an established Knight
family tradition. Their three children were all born in
Waiuku.
Tracey
was born in 1971, educated in Waiuku and when she left
school worked for the ASB Bank and then the Franklin
District Council. She played netball, representing Waiuku
in the sport. In April 1992 she married John Phillips
from Onewhero and they built their home in Waiuku where
John is employed as a bricklayer. They have two
daughters, Devon who was born in October 1997 and
Kendall, born in September 1999.
Glen,
born
in 1973 also gained his education in Waiuku and at Waiuku
College he developed a great love for both rugby and
soccer, representing Counties as a soccer player. He
gained his degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Management from Lincoln University and when he couldn’t
find employment in that field he spread his wings and
headed off to Western Australia, fell in love with the
place and in particular with a town called Margaret River,
well known as the surfing capital of Australia. This
suited a keen surfer indeed and when he married Vanessa
Leber in January 2000 they build a home in Margaret River,
which is a very big wine-growing area where Glen currently
works for a vineyard named ‘The Voyager’. Vanessa is a
teacher in the local Catholic school.
Darren,
born in 1975 and also educated in Waiuku was another keen
soccer player. Upon leaving school he worked in the food
industry doing a four year Diploma in Marketing and
Management with Foodstuffs. In 1997 he too left NZ to
work in the Summer Camps in Michigan, USA. He then
traveled extensively throughout the continent settling in
London where he lives at present. His long-term plan is
to further travel via South Africa, USA and (his folk add)
hopefully back to New Zealand one day!
(3)
THOMAS ASPIN SHORT [TOMMY] - born at Awhitu
on the 7th April 1901, Tommy was named after his Uncle Tom
and his second name was his Mother's maiden name. He
travelled with the family to Kennedy Bay, and on returning
to Awhitu when he was five he went to school at Orua Bay.
In 1921 he left Waiuku and went to Pukekohe and worked for
the- Franklin County Council, then back to Waiuku and
worked for Bill Hosking driving a horse and dray. He then
moved to Auckland and worked as a builders labourer before
joining the firm of J. J. Craig, driving a horse and dray
and early model trucks for five years. During the time he
was working for Craigs he became friendly with one of his
workmakes, Fred Fabian, who later introduced Tommy to his
sister Beryl, and she was to become his wife. After
leaving J. J. Craigs he went back to Hoskings for a while
then on to Willie and Morgans at Pokeno doing a cream run
and getting a handsome three pounds per week for a full
week during the summer! After a short time with Willie and
Morgan he was offered a good job with Gullen Quarries
driving a brand new Diamond T Truck.. Gullens lost their
contract and then sold the business, so for a short time
Tommy worked for the lime works before coming to Auckland
to live in 1943 and working for Bitumix. He stayed on here
for the next 13 years, working as a self-taught mechanic,
and he developed a great interest in roped excavators.
In 1957 he was
then offered a position with better conditions with a
young go-ahead Irish Company, Green and McCahill. He
served with them until 1977 retiring at the age of 76
years. He became known as the leading excavator-mechanic
in the Auckland area and he was highly respected by all
who worked with him.
Tommy Short's
first vehicle was a 1918 King Dick Motorbike followed by a
Big X, of which he owned two. He later owned a B.S.A.
before purchasing his first motorcar, a Model T 5-seater,
then a Model T Open-tourer, a Model A Coupe, then in 1937
he purchased a 1937 Chev Coupe which he still owns and
drives. In 1957 he bought a brand new German Borgward
Isabella, and this he also still has in his garage. Tommy
took a great interest in vintage vehicles and engines. He
has restored many motorcycles, such as a 1925 Harley
Davidson, an early model Royal Enfield, an early Model
James. He has also got a collection of old stationary
motors which were used for milking-sheds, pumps and
sawmills, and at one stage he had 26 such engines, 75%
being still in working condition. Tommy and Beryl retired
to their home at Stanmore Bay on the Hibiscus Coast both
keeping very good health indeed. Tommy passed away on 11th
November 1983 and is buried in the Waiuku cemetery and
Beryl passed away on 6th April 1995 being
buried at Waikumete.
Maurice Aspin
Short
- Tommy and Beryl's only child, was born on 2nd
January 1934 at Grey Lynn, Auckland. His interests
included roller-skating and motorbike speedway,
representing Auckland many times in both. Maurice held a
top executive position with Green and McCahill and is now
currently working for Freightways. On 11th
April 1959 he married Carol Pickering at the Catholic
Church in Helensville. Carol, born on 4th June
1938,came from Helensville, and they bought a section at
Te Atatu South, built their home at 42 Tiroroa Ave and 42+
years later still live in that home.
Maurice has
given us some lovely insight into how life in the “big
smoke” was for them when they first lived there and it is
so good we have just retyped what information he gave
us. This is what he wrote
-
“When they
bought their section the North Western Motorway did not
exist. Access to the Western Districts from the south was
around the New Lynn and Avondale suburbs and in those days
Maurice drove a Humber 80. Telephone communication was
on a manual exchange and to be connected to the exchange
you had to be on a party line with several others. The
original area where their section was was the Schiska
family farm. The old concrete path that the cows went up
to the milking shed still runs at the side of the property
behind their place. Te Atatu and Henderson in those days
was a prolific grape and fruit growing area. This is
still in evidence these days although greatly reduced due
to the housing development of recent times.”
In 1983 Maurice formed his own ground maintenance company
maintaining hospital grounds, Council parks and large
sub-divisions. During the years he worked with Green and
McCahill be became involved with the NZ Heavy Haulage
Association passing through the ranks up to President and
later to become a Life Member. He was also a
representative on the National Roads Board. He has a
particular interest in vintage cars and currently owns
three – a 1930 Model A, 1 1937 Chev Coupe and a 1957
Borgward Isabella, all three cars being vehicles that his
dad Tom owned from new. Maurice and Carol have three
children.
Gregory
- born on 8th March 1960, attended Holy Cross
Convent, Henderson, and later St. Paul's College in
Ponsonby. He represented his s
