My dear father, I received your letter by the last mail. I am glad you are still well. I have got a slight attack of the cough again which bothers me at night. I think I will try and get some-thing for it to-day. I think it is the damp fogs that I get it from. We have finished the first months of this term. I was unwell for about a week so I was not placed as high in form as I might have been. This term as the days are so short there are a number of extras to take up, they are voluntary, I have taken up a book called "Freemans History of the Sarisons" and perhaps a mathematical one as well, I am in a fair mathematical set, the 3rd. There are seven on the Modern side. When I was at Cheltenham Grand Papa was talking to me about one of the boys coming home to enter the navy, he said he would write to you about it, he did not seem to know which one it was, and I could not tell him, but I said I thought John was the most fitted for it, he always had more taste for the sea than George. Uncle George said he expected to come down to Bristol some time this month but I have not heard any more about it yet. There is at present great excitement in the house, tonight or tomorrow morning the house football twenty will be made out the last trial match was to have been played today but the weather prevented it. There has been two previous trials but I missed them through illness, so it will tell against me. There is to be a confirmation this term, I had a note from Grandpapa to take to Dr Percival with permission to be confirmed we have not had any classes yet. I do not know of any more to tell you as this letter will not reach you until about Christmas I will wish you all a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" . Believe me dear father, your affectionate son Neil Pearce 92
After their arrival back in England in 1877 Henrietta would leave Edward in London to attend to business, while she made her way through to Sea Side of Sandown where she was to meet up with Nathaniel. The following letter was addressed to Edward at Lombard Street in London. This could well have been the last letter Nathaniel wrote to his father. Nathaniel had just completed his European education in England and joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 17. The voyage on the Avalanche on the 11th September was his first as a cadet officer. 93
It was reported also travelling back to New Zealand along with Nathaniel were Willie Levin and his wife Amy (nee. Fitzgerald), but they delayed their departure, deciding to remain in England for another few weeks.53 It was Nathaniel’s first voyage as a cadet officer. "The last glimpse of the Avalanche," says a London report, "showed Capt. Williams on the poop with young Pearce, whose first and last voyage it was fated to be, standing by his side." 54 94
On the first night of the voyage heavy fog in the English Channel caused the Avalanche to collide with an American ship, the Forest. The Avalanche saw the red light of another ship close-hauled on the starboard tack and should have given way, but remained on course while the Master of the Forest watched the green light until he lost sight of it, taking immediate action. He little knew that, at that moment, the Avalanche also moved off course in a desperate manoeuvre to avoid the collision. But it was too late: the Avalanche placed her broadside across the Forest's bows which were high in the water and rebounded and continued to strike the iron vessel along her port side causing overwhelming damage. The impact was so powerful that Avalanche sank immediately, leaving only three crew members, who managed to leap onto the Forest. Nathaniel was among the 96 drowned. 55 Below: The ship `Avalanche', circa 1875 95
Shortly after the tragedy, relatives and friends of those who were lost in the Avalanche requested that a Memorial be erected on Portland, to which they wished to contribute. A suggestion was made to the Rev. J. A. Beazor, the Rector of Portland, that there was need of a church in Southwell, the small village nearest the site of the disaster. Thus arose the Public Subscription which raised £2,000 by donations in England and New Zealand and resulted in the building of the new St. Andrew's Church, a beautiful memorial known in Portland as the Avalanche Church; the highway it faces is now named Avalanche Road. Despite the violence of the collision the Forest did not sink and the Royal Navy had to tow it further down the Channel, using gunpowder to blow it up and make it safe for shipping traffic. 56 Below: The Avalanche Memorial Church, also known as the Church of St. Andrew, is a 19th-century Anglican parish church, located in Southwell Village, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. 96
Edward returned to the family house known as ‘Lagarie’, located in Rhu, near Helensburgh North West of Glasgow, to attend the Golden Wedding Anniversary of his parents Matthew and Euphemia in 1879 before returning to New Zealand. It must have been a momentous occasion for Matthew and Euphemia to have so many of their descendants around them, and for Edward to meet up with his twin sister Mary, who by now had married George Holt Powell. This letter was received in Wellington, sent not long after the tragedy; “Major Pearce and the Wellington Artillery Volunteers” Evening Post, 14th November 1877; Right: Photos taken at Matthew and Euphemia’s Golden Wedding Anniversary. In the below photo Edward can be seen sitting with his twin sister Mary and their younger twin siblings which were Emily and Caroline Louisa. 97
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Above: A train returning from Te Aro passes the Bond Store about 1900. Below: The Bond Store, designed by architect Frederick de Jersey Clere still stands today and is now host to the Wellington Museum. Right: The Bond Store Board Room where Edward, as Chairman, would have overseen many changes. 99
The Show Must Go On On the 13th September 1879 Edward returned Wellington, his heart heavy with the loss of his son. For his honour, the artillery he commanded turned out to fire a gun salute as his boat arrived into Port Nicholson. Back on land Edward went to work without delay. The effect of his quiet, chivalrous manner would prove to be influential. In the Evening Mail it was reported that ‘Mr Pearce brought with him £700,000 to invest for owners in his colony’, obtained through his investment partners Matheson & Co., which would have been welcomed by the settlement for in 1879 a long intractable depression developed over the nation. In 1879 Parliament secured the passage through the Bill to establish a Harbour Board, which sole purpose was entirely focused on the operation and running of a successful port. With the Premier behind the proposal this was easily accomplished. But the Board would consist of an elected body, one member from the Government, the City Council and one from the Wairarapa and Manawatu Country Councils. 100
There would be one elected by shipping interests and finally one by the Chamber of Commerce. When the Harbour Board was called into existence in 1880, William Levin was the first chairman of the Board with Edward as one of its first members. Edward helped to shape the policy of the Board, which was considered a model one and its success would have been something for him to look back upon with pride, for the Harbour Board became a vital element for Wellington’s success. 57 Edward was elected Chairman of the Board in 1883 and was re-elected three times – 1884, ’85 and ’86. He also served as caretaker Chairman, after the death of the Chairman John H. Cock, from 1892-93. Left: The Wellington Harbour Board’s coat of arms. Right: Overlooking Queens Wharf in Wellington, circa 1885. The vessels at the wharf are the `Ionic', `Otaki', ‘Canterbury’, `Wairarapa' and the `Manawatu’. The `Hina' is at the lower left. The `Queen of the South' is at right, with black and white funnel. Photograph taken by the Burton Brothers circa 1885. 101
The Harbour Board was established to ensure that profits made from shipping were channelled back into shipping through the development of Wellington's harbour facilities. Shipping was then the primary means of transporting goods to and from around the country, and trade depended on safe harbours that were well equipped for the loading, unloading and storage of freight. When the new Board acquired control of Queen's Wharf in 1882, it began erecting wharves and warehouses on reclaimed land that would accommodate the needs of the steamships docking at the harbour. By 1889 the Board was able to commission the renowned, Wellington -based architect Frederick de Jersey Clere to design an impressive head office on the waterfront. The Wellington Harbour Board Head Office on Jervois Quay is a symbol of the successful development of Wellington's Port for almost a century; it currently houses the Wellington Museum. 58 102
It was in 1885 when Wellington witnessed its first electric lights. “Messrs, Fletcher & Co., electrical engineers of Dunedin, under contract erected a 100 feet mast for a light for display. The Harbour Board had decided to accept an offer of the same candle power light, in a convenient spot on the Queen’s Wharf. Edward, by now the Chairman of the Harbour Board, expressed himself strongly in favour of having the wharf well-lighted at night, not only in order that a pleasant promenade might be afforded to the citizens, but that a stop might be put to improprieties, which he heard were of nightly occurrence there. He mentioned that he was very much struck with the advantage of the electric light on a wharf when visiting Lyttelton recently after nightfall. The light at that port rendered every object as distinct as if the sun was up.” 59 By 1887 the Harbour Board had received an offer from Messrs Ashcroft and Co. to fit up two hundred electric lamps with dynamo and engine, on the wharves, at a cost of £378 per annum. This would give twice the present light at fifty per cent increase on the cost. 60 Saturday 29th June 1888, was a big day for Wellington - it became the first city in the southern hemisphere to light its streets with electricity. A lamp currently sits on Featherston Street as a commemoration. Edward remained on the Board as a representative of the Governor until he resigned in March 1896. The Board was responsible for extensive development of the harbour at a time when shipping was crucial to trade and Wellington’s development. Above and Right: The Featherston St. lamp commemorates Wellington becoming the first city in the southern hemisphere to light its streets with electricity. 103
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The Wellington Harbour Board Tribute Book Presented to Colonel Edward Pearce in 1899 following his retirement after sixteen years and a member of the Harbour Board, four of which was spent as Chairman. The album contains photographs of, “Port of Wellington Board Members and Executive Officers, the Bond Store and waterfront buildings and other scenes. The wood inlay on the album cover is crafted from New Zealand timbers. Sadly there are no captions or dates for the following photographs and unfortunately the image of Edward opposite was of poor quality. The album resides with the Collections of Museums Wellington 105 Photo’s kindly provided by The Wellington Museum
The Album was kindly donated back to the Wellington Harbour Board by George Pearce’s Family before being donated to the Museums of Wellington. 106
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Above: Wharf offices of the Wellington Harbour Board. This building still stands today. Right: A plaque in the entrance of the bond store , which now hosts the Wellington Museum, notes the members of the Wellington Harbour Board of 1891. 113
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The Levin and Company building circa 1910. Edward Pearce was determined to have the building on land that was freehold. Unfortunately this building was demolished in 1969. Amalgamation Mr John Duncan, a charismatic gentleman from Scotland was to enter Edward’s life in the 1880s. Finding common interests in New Zealand’s volunteer defence forces, and with John Duncan gaining the rank of Captain in the Naval Artillery, the two soon became good firm friends. John Duncan and his family had arrived to New Zealand in 1881 in Tauranga via Ceylon, with the intention of settling in Te Puke. Despite the absolute lack of a settlement (or roads for that matter) it didn’t take long for John to bring together a community, becoming an instigator for connecting the remote area to the main cities (via the Provincial Railway Board). On a fruitful trip to Wellington John Duncan had befriended William Levin, and soon after, accepted a manager’s position at Levin & Co. The Duncan family moved to Wellington in September of 1882. 62 The Pearce and Levin merchant empires continued to grow as well as did their friendship. 115
Edward’s son Charles Pearce chose the insurance business as a career, at the early age of 18, in the insurance department of Levin and Co. in 1887, two years before his father entered into partnership with William Levin. William and Edward’s common interests to foster the people of the lower North Island had started to develop, and as such a partnership was agreed upon to the benefit of both families. The move was originally initiated by Willie Levin who had been suffering from ill health. Pearce and Co. joined the firm bringing with it a vast mercantile connection, and Mr. John Duncan, who had had a large British and Indian experience, was also admitted to the partnership. Into the company came two of Edward’s his sons, Arthur and George. Arthur Pearce had been educated at Clifton near Bournemouth, England, and received his early business training in the bank, joining the staff of Levin & Co. Now 24, George Pearce, at the age of 16 years had joined the staff of the Bank of Australasia, and in his eight years of banking service rose to the position of manager of the branch at Palmerston North. Duncan’s and Levin’s children were still too young. 63 Portrait of John Duncan with John Dunglass Grace Duncan on his knee and John Gavin Duncan with a portrait of John Duncan (their ancestor) beside him on a desk. Photograph taken by an unidentified photographer ca 1901. 116
Levin & Co. originally had its business address on Lambton Quay, a bonded store in Cornhill Street and a store in Grey Street. 64 In the following year, 1866, the whole business was moved to the new site in Grey Street. Messrs Levin & Co.’s trade, import and export, extends throughout the civilised world, but more particularly lies with India, Ceylon, China, the United States, Canada, England, and the Continent of Europe. The principal agencies include the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company Ltd., the Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company, the Thames and Mersey Insurance Company, the Victorian Fire and Marine Insurance Company, the New Zealand Trust and Loan Company Ltd., and the National Mortgage and Agency Co. of New Zealand Ltd. This last company was promoted in 1876 for the purpose of conducting business in the Colony of New Zealand.’ 65 Below: Messrs. Levin & Co.’s staff. Edward is seated on chair on right, John Duncan seated on the left. Image retrieved from the National Library of New Zealand. 117
The agencies for the sale of general merchandise are much too numerous to mention in full, but the following are the most important:- John Hall and Son’s blasting and sporting powder, Roburite Explosive Company. Wolseley sheep shearing machines, “White” sewing machines, “Uplands” Ceylon teas, Symington and Co.’s coffee essences, Harraways’s rolled oats, Lea and Perrins sauce, “Crystal” kerosene, Champion’s vinegar, Bear and Son’s cut tobacco, “Otto de Rose” cigarettes, Dörner’s Pianos, Gale and Friend’s white lead, McCormick reapers and binders, Greenbank caustic potash and soda, “Toxa” rabbit poison, Little’s, Cooper’s Hatch’s, White’s, Quibell’s, and Thomas’ sheep dips, M.B. Foster and Son’s ale and stout, Wm. Edmond’s “Pig” ale and stout, Allsopp’s “Red Hand” ale and stout, Tennent’s Ale and Stout, Wieland’s San Francisco Lager beer, Norwegian Lager beer, Courvoisier’s brandy, Clouzeau’s brandy, Dessandier’s brandy, Faux Fils’ and Co’s brandy, Martell’s brandy, Moet and Chandon’s champagne, G.H. Mumm’s champagne, Irroy champagne, Heidseck’s champagne and Golden Apple cider, Boord and Son’s dry gin and rum, and Old Tom, Lemon Hart rum (bulk and case), Catto’s, Crawford’s Jamerson’s, Heddle’s, Mitchell’s, Ushers’s, Greenlee’s, Waton’s and Thom and Cameron’s whiskies, Zamoranoy Villar’s Teneriffe cigars. 66 Above: Proud to be a part of the firm, ‘LEV’ was stencilled on all wool bales by farmers for export. 118
Two bottles of Tennent’s Strong Ale found in the back of a cupboard at the home of 119 John Campbell Pearce, Maramau Farm, Wairarapa.
‘A certain farmer dealing with Levin & Co. had got into financial difficulties. At the time he owed the Firm over £3000 and there appeared to be no prospect of his being able to settle. This account was brought into the business by Edward Pearce at the time of amalgamation. At that time it had appeared perfectly safe and was accepted as such by the other two partners. To Edward Pearce the account was more than just a business matter—the man concerned was a close personal friend, and had Pearce pressed the Firm’s claim he might have forced the farmer into bankruptcy. Unwilling to do this he offered to write off the amount as a bad debt and bear the loss personally. To this John Duncan would not agree, and wrote to Willie Levin in England stating his views on the matter. Levin replied “Since writing Pearce yesterday on the subject of X’s account I have received yours of 20th April; I daresay Pearce will show you what I said and which fully coincides with your views about his bearing the whole brunt of the loss. As far as I am concerned I am quite willing that the whole loss should fall on the Firm’s shoulders, equally am I agreeable that half the amount that Pearce has written off should be transferred to Bad Debts Account. Whatever you two agree to will have my entire approval, but I am sure we should bear some portion of the burden which a good partner in his generosity has taken on himself. With you I believe that had we pressed the matter we should have recovered our claim in full, and X does not deserve the generous treatment accorded to him, but at the same time I appreciate Pearce’s position and probably I should—if I had occupied it—have acted similarly, though perhaps not quite so liberally. You are quite at liberty to show this to Pearce as well as to express to him my hope that he will meet his partners’ wishes.” The debt was not pressed but was transferred to a mortgage account, and, as it turned out in the end, no one was the loser as the farmer concerned eventually made a financial recovery, but the incident is just one of those things which show the unselfish spirit existing among the partners.’ The following extract was researched and written by Ross Gore for the publication ‘Levins 1841-1941’, published for Levin & Company Ltd by Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. 120
Shows the bracket, shafting, hand piece, hand piece ferrule, steel tubes, comb, cutter, comb brush, screwdriver, oil can, cleaner, comb & cutter, box and water pot, with two models illustrated. Levin & Co Ltd (Wellington) 1909. 121
Shows an illustration of about 50 screws, bolts, joints, nuts, washers, bushes and pins that make up the shearing hand piece. 122
Between 1888 and 1890 there was a shortage of manila fibre around the world, as a result flax exports in New Zealand boomed. Levin & Co. were among those who exported this resource, which they were attaining primarily from Foxton (a settlement with which the Company had a close relationship). One of the last additions to the coastal steamers trading out of Wellington arrived from Glasgow in June of 1899 in the shape of Messrs Levin and Co’s new steamer Himitangi. It was purposed to be the new steamer to handle the freight to and from Foxton. The Himitangi (“Weeping Jimmy”) was a steel screw steamer of 149 tons register, and was built at Paisley, Scotland, by Messrs John Fullarton and Co., to Lloyd’s highest class. She was supplied with triple expansion engines of the latest pattern and fitted with every modern contrivance.67 The steamer was tragically lost in 1918, a message received by radio announced “Himitangi wrecked on Mohau Reef. Waitangi West, Chatham Islands at 5.30 Monday morning. Probably total loss. Vessel full of water. All hands safe. Full report later.” The vessel was expected to bring back a Maori family who were due to appear in the Supreme Court in connection with a “tohunga” (exorcism) which resulted in the death of a young Maori woman. 68 By 1916 all Foxton shipping was in the hands of Levin & Co.'s two steamers, Queen of the South which handled general cargo, and the larger Awahou which carried mainly coal. The company lost Queen of the South to wreckage early in 1919, near Cape Campbell. Levin & Co. had a wharf and shed at Foxton but the latter was destroyed by fire in 1922. Soon afterwards they withdrew completely from the shipping service. Undeterred, the Harbour Board built its own shed on the site of Levin's and continued to make the wharf available.69 The partnership of W.H. Levin, Edward Pearce, and John Duncan had been in every way a satisfactory one, but there was more to their association than the making of money. 123
They were firm friends, they worked together in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and the actions of each partner were guided first by consideration of the other two. This is clearly shown in the letters between Willie and John Duncan written in 1892. In May of that year Willie wrote from London, “I am astonished and delighted to hear that you think £100 will cover all the bad trade debts for the year; the fact speaks volumes for your and Pearce’s management and is an assurance – if such were needed that the business can go on ahead better without, than with me.” 70 Edward Pearce had a close connection with many of the farming families of the East Cost of the Waiararapa. Much of the wool grown was shipped around the coast to the firm of Levin & Co. The photo (right) indicates the type of back breaking work that many sheep famers endured in those days. 124
Above advertisement from the publication Waiararapa by Cyril Jordan Carle. 125
Left: A Levin & Co. advertisement as appeared in the local Waiararapa newspapers. Below: Busy times near the Harbour Board Bond Store. 126
While Edward and his youngest son Alexander Campbell visited England in 1893, Willie Levin, after a short recurrence of his old bronchial trouble, suffered a stroke and died, he was aged 48. “Mr. Levin was one of Wellington’s respected citizens. The great esteem in which he was held by every class in the community was evident on the day of his death. Many of the business establishments at once closed their doors as a tribute of respect to the memory of a gentleman of inestimable worth.” 71 At this point Edward Pearce became the senior partner along with John Duncan in what was a very flourishing firm. The company continued to prosper, and held a very honourable position in the province. In December of 1894, Pearce’s eldest surviving son Arthur, was admitted as the third partner. Edward was now sixty, Duncan, fiftyfive. A large sum was left in the Levin side of the business should either or both of Willie Levin’s boys wish to join later. This situation altered again in March 1895 when the famous firm became a limited liability company, numbering among its staff four members of the Pearce family, three Duncans and no Levins.’ 72 127
Levin & Co. had since had a strong connection with the Pearce family with many members holding senior positions in the company. Levin and Co. became one of the largest firms in central New Zealand, with branches in Masterton, Foxton, Nelson, Blenheim and Whanganui. Levin & Co. eventually was combined with the National Mortgage Association (known as NMA), which in time would become part of Wrightson Fletcher Challenge Ltd., one of the biggest companies in New Zealand today. Left: Premises of Levin & Co., Wellington, decorated with 'ER' & crown in lights, and flags. Above: View of part of Wellington looking towards a trestle rail track, Courtenay Place, Majoribanks Street and Mt Victoria. The track was constructed by Peter McGrath. The track joined the Oriental Bay Quarry to the Te Aro reclamation. Taken by unidentified photographer in the 1880s. 128
By the 1880’s and early 1890’s Edward was extremely occupied, not only within Levin & Co., but his aptitude for finance would also lead him to become one of the Directors of the National Bank of New Zealand. Edward, as it happens, was appointed the local director of the National Bank of New Zealand from the opening of the Wellington branch in 1873. (Evening post, 21st March 1873. National Library of New Zealand) In 1885 The National Bank found themselves in the predicament of having amassed a loss of £131,000. To meet possible contingencies on this account the shareholders agreed to transfer £100,000 from the capital account, and £10,000 from the reserve fund. It must be borne in mind that the amount now transferred was not altogether a loss as it was represented by large securities in the colony. In the early days all banking institutions that had unsatisfactory securities were apt to be taken, so the best policy is as soon as possible was to write them off as doubtful assets, thus place the banking institutions in a sound business condition. The directors of the National Bank had taken measures to prevent this situation recurring again, specifically by appointing Edward Pearce as the Director of the Wellington branch and James Rattray Director of the Dunedin branch, both acknowledged for their colonial and business insight. Advert from ‘The New Zealand Mail’, February 10th 129 , 1888.
New Zealand Head Office, Grey Street, Wellington. ‘They were both well-known gentlemen, sound and prudent, of good means and high position, and of great experience in New Zealand.’ With the revival in trade and commercial pursuits, the amount lost grew back to its former value within little time. (Otago Daily Times, August 1885. National Library of New Zealand) Edward was also a director for The Wellington Trust Loan & Investment Company, a position he held for many years. The Company, which was incorporated in 1873, made advances on freehold and leasehold properties, shares and other tangible securities. The company was a successful one, and one of which Edward would utilise for his other ventures. For instance when the Patent Slip was struggling financially the Trust and Loan Company sold shares to the public to assist with the costs. The building the company resided in was unfortunately burnt to the ground by a fire in 1904. 130
While maintaining this position Edward also juggled insurance companies. At this point in his career he acted as agent for The National Mortgage and Agency Company, The Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company and the Thames and Mersey Marine Insurance Company. The National Mutual Life Assurance is particularly worth mentioning. The NMLA was founded in 1869, having secured assets in Victoria, Australia. Edward was on the board of advisors for the firm and eventually became Chairman for the New Zealand branch. Interestingly the NMLA of Australasia Limited were first in the world to apply the surrender value of life policies. This prevented the lapse of the policy, enabling the owner of the policy to keep the life insurance active. ‘The Old Bank Arcade’. This building is associated with the commercial development of Wellington in particular the National Mutual Trust Association of Australasia and the insurance industry and the Bank of New Zealand. 131
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Many aspects of Wellington’s culture were guided by groups of men who were determined to bring the old world to the new. One faction in particular, ‘The Club’, is still in existence today. The Club, originally founded in 1840, was named the “Wakefield Club” in honour of Colonel Wakefield. It was then situated on Lambton Quay, nearly opposite the Government Departmental Buildings, in the premises since occupied by Messrs. Warnock and Adkins. This name was retained until 1862, when under Dr Featherston’s presidency, it was renamed “The Club”. 73 A VICTORIAN AFFAIR The Club The Wellington Club 1877, designed by architect Thomas Turnbull. 133
Edward became president of The Club of which he would occupy the post for an unmatched thirteen years. His walking cane as seen in the photograph of Edward is still in the Pearce family. 134
With a membership of no more than about 25 at the beginning, the club has retained an air of exclusivity throughout its history. Members met for a weekly dinner, paying £5 a year for membership. By the 1860s, men of prominence, such as politicians, merchants and lawyers, met at the Club to socialise, have lunch and/or play billiards or snooker. Mostly the Club was used to entertain important visiting guests, and entertaining certain members to dinner. Without doubt this assembly of well-known men of means meant an exchange of ideas and endeavours that would ensue and in turn would shape the culture and social life of Wellington. Edward was elected as an honorary member of the Club in 1862 at an annual general meeting. From then on until 1899 the Colonel served the Club as a member of the Committee, Vice-President, President and Trustee. Above: Wellington Club, on The Terrace, Wellington, photographed in the early 1890s by the Tyree Studio. Right: The billiard room with its splendid array of billiard tables and leather chairs, circa 1907. Below is the billiard room as it is today. 135
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Recreation was noticeably very important for the Colonel, and it was from within the Club that the colours and flavours of the ‘Old World’ were felt. The names on the committees of clubs from such as the Basin Reserve to the Star Boating Club were consistently members from ‘The Club’. 74 The committee began to display a sense of history during Pearce’s time in England, asking him ‘to buy a suitable album for collecting photographs of members of the Club’. (He did so, and made it his gift to the Club.) A painting of The Club by artist Peter McIntyre. In these very suitable surroundings on the 21st of February 1878 The Club was able to dine two of its members recently returned from business trips to England, Edward Pearce and Willie Levin, both of whom had spent time negotiating on behalf of The Club, both showing excellent taste (and good business sense) in securing new furniture. 137
The solid silver Rose Bowl and two very handsome (vases) presented by Edward to his beloved ‘The Wellington Gentleman's Club’ upon his retirement. It also saddled him with an order for glass and crockery, ‘account not to exceed 60 pounds exclusive of duty’. The ordering of wines was obviously an important factor, since liquor sales represented an important element in the Club’s revenue, Pearce and Levin were called upon to arrange with some London Wine Merchants to send consignments of wine etc. to the Club not to exceed 200 pounds. Three of Colonel Pearce’s sons became members of the Club: Arthur E. in 1885, George F. in 1889 and Charles in 1904. All three held office from time to time. In September 1882 Edward Pearce presented ‘two handsome vases to the Club’ and these were suitably engraved. 138
One of Edward’s earliest pursuits was the Wellington Cricket Club and the Basin Reserve. He was one of the First Patrons and also President of the Wellington Cricketers’ Association from 1875-1897. The beginnings of the club were a bit rough, ‘the great drawback to cricket in Wellington was the lack of a suitable ground easily accessible for practice. This need was not supplied by the Newtown Park, as it was too far off, so that a great part of the limited time available for afternoon or evening practice was wasted in reaching the spot’. 75 The chance for change began with the following advertisement which appeared in the Evening Post in the spring of 1875: WELLINGTON C.C., STAR C.C., COLTS C.C., VICTORIA C.C. A GENERAL MEETING of the Members of the above Cricket Clubs will be held on FRIDAY EVENING NEXT, the 22nd instant, at the Pier Hotel, at 8 o’clock. Order of business: The formation of a Wellington Cricket Association. The improvement of the Cricket Ground. Gentlemen interested are invited to attend.” There was a substantial turnout, and the Wellington Cricket Association was formed the following week. A man had been employed permanently on the Basin Reserve at £7 per day to put and keep the ground in proper order. It was decided that each club should have its own separate wicket for practice. 76 Cricket and Rugby Right: Above, spectators in the pavilion, Basin Reserve, Wellington, circa 1900. Photograph taken by Joseph Zachariah. Right: Below, looking south east over the Basin Reserve, Wellington, circa 1875. St Mark's Church, Wellington College, Oliver's Caledonian Hotel, and Mt View Asylum are in the background. 139
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By the next season, 1876, the improvements were finished, and the ground was completed, the opening match was played between the first eleven against the next 18. The event, documented by The Evening Post, sheds some light of the occasion; “The Basin Reserve, which was reopened to the public on Saturday, looked really beautiful, and the cricketers of Wellington can now congratulate themselves on possessing a first class ground. At half past one eighty gentlemen sat down to a luncheon in the pavilion, provided by the Cricket Association. Colonel Pearce the patron in the chair. Also present – W.H. Levin, Sir James Prendergast (then acting Governor), Hon. F Whitaker (Premier), George Fisher (Mayor of Wellington) and nearly all the councillors, Mr. Hutchinson, M.H.R. (town clerk), Mr. E Shaw and a number of prominent members of the association. The Hon. F Whitaker said he was very glad to see the good ground they had to play on, for he remembered that at one time they had a ground utterly unworthy of the cricketers of Wellington. It was pleasing to notice that the ground had been replaced by one that was worthy of them, and that would make good cricketers. He believed he was the first person who introduced the game of cricket into the northern part of New Zealand – perhaps New Zealand altogether- for he went as far back as 1843. At any rate, he thought he was the oldest cricketer in the room. The old spirit had not died out, for he had just challenged the chairman, who had informed him that he was a great cricketer that day. He would give in to Colonel Pearce at dancing and lawn tennis, but he would not give in to him at cricket.” 77 Right: Above, March 1888, Wellington side of XXII takes on the English cricket team. St Mark's Church and Wellington College are in the background. Right: Below, Today the Basin Reserve is world renown for its scenic setting. 141