To : Jan
From: Anne
Subject: Donghi/The Pines information
I had a phone call from Anne one night. She had recently been up from the
South Island to Central Hawkes Bay for a family get-together and she was trying
to find out some information about her grandfather Charles William Donghi.
She had visited “The Pines” while she was up this way – because, for a time
her grandfather lived there.
She wanted to know what we could find out about Charles Donghi and about his
time living in “The Pines” (2 Rose Street), and Bob Donghi who lived at ‘Rose
Cottage’ (19 Rose Street).
To: Anne
From: Jan
Subject: Donghi/The Pines information
Donghi Enquiry
Hi Anne,
I went down to the museum to see if I could look up the residential file to
find out the occupants for 2 and 19 Rose Street and found Rosheen is back from
holiday and is half way through her research for you. She has added your request
for info about the Rose Street addresses to her list and will email it to you.
I did scan the only page I found in the 'Abbott's - Ford" book (History of
Waipawa) about the Donghi's - which is a variation on a story which I've heard
several times about what happened to Rose Cottage. So I've attached that to this
email and suggest the easiest way of reading it is to print it out
Exert from “Abbott’s Ford – A history of Waipawa.” By Margaret Gray
(pg 138)
Ernie and Bob Donghi:
Bo lived in ‘Rose Cottage’ in Rose Street, home of Cannon Eccles, first vicar of
Waipawa.
Although called a cottage, it was quite a substantial home. Bob was
renowned for being ‘a bit of a magpie’, a real hoarder. On New Year’s Day, one
very hot summer in late1940’s, Bob’s house caught fire. Despite the fact it was
the first day of the New Year, the brigade promptly answered the call. They had
just hooked up to the water and had begun pumping when terrific explosions
rocked the area. It was thought old Bob had a few live shells tucked away –
souvenirs from the war!
About this stage, saving the house seemed a secondary concern, as shell
fragments peppered the house next door. When the tumult and the shouting died,
the house was destroyed save for one room at the front.
As a postscript to that story, brother Ernie had the front room moved
down to McGreevy Street, onto the property now owned by Mr K Isaacson, and set
up house with his sheep dog. His house keeping was a sight to behold; in the
corner he utilized as a kitchen grew two piles, one of empty food tins, the
other egg shells. As the months turned into years, so the piles grew. This form
of housekeeping must have been a family trait, as on visiting Bob, many years
later in his rebuilt house, what should be piled up on the end of the table and
under it – a mountain of empty tins!
Not withstanding their housekeeping habits, these brothers were the
kindest, most hardworking pair imaginable.
To: Anne
From: Jan
Subject: Donghi/The Pines information
Hi Anne,
I don't know if the museum have sent their information and some of it might
be the same as mine (since I got it from them) but I'll send it anyway and you
can disregard it if you already have it.
I found this newspaper article possibly from the Waipawa Mail (April 1985 -
it wasn't dated or properly identified).
150-year-old cottage needs preserving
A cottage which housed the first European-born baby in the Waipawa
community could become wood for a fire unless steps are taken to preserve it.
The 150-year-old cottage could be Waipawa’s oldest house and is in danger
of demolition as it stands without occupancy or protection.
Concern for the house’s preservation was raised recently at the Waipawa
District Councils social services committee by Mrs Carol Hudson, Gwavas Station,
Tikokino.
In a letter to the committee Mrs Hudson outlined the historical value of
the cottage which is known as ‘The Pines’.
Mrs Hudson also pointed out that a numbered tree, a redwood in the
cottage grounds, was also without protection.
She said councillors should know of the cottage as it hangs as a painting
in the council foyer.
“I am sure the people of Waipawa will be grateful to have a little of its past
protected,” said Mrs Hudson.
After reading the letter the social service committee members agreed some
effort must be made to preserve the cottage
I have also enclosed a copy of Mr Bryant's residential file - Mr Bryant was
the Pharmacist here for years and an historian. He kept very accurate files of
nearly every address in Waipawa until he left sometime in the early 1990's .
Rosheen might have already sent you this as I told her that you were interested
in 2 and 19 Rose Street and suggested she send the info, but the card from
Bryant’s File was attached to the newspaper articles she gave me yesterday so
I've typed it out too.
Hope this is of some help
The Bryant File
2 Rose Street
‘The Pines’
Residence “The Pines”
The first house built in Waipawa by Thomas Henry Fitzgerald in 1858.
Built of Kauri shipped to Napier, and transported to Waipawa by bullock wagon.
The property was surrounded by a hawhorn hedge, part of which is visible today
(1990).
Large numbers of Pines sheltered the pigeon loft and stables.
The next owner was Charles Herman Weber whose son George born 24th October 1861
was the first white child born in Waipawa.
Dr Alexander Todd became the third owner of the property
Charles Donghi
- Moore
WF Magnussen
1986 – George P Wood (restored house to its former glory)
* If anyone can help to complete the list of occupants please email me
and let me know names and dates.
To: Jan
From: Anne
Subject: Donghi information
Hi Jan
I have been thinking about your idea of finding family information on your
web site and I think it could be a very useful tool.
In our case, our names of interest in Waipawa are DONGHI and HANCOCK.
There are plenty of other associated names, added when their children married
and moved to other parts of Hawkes Bay and beyond.
We would like anyone who has a link or information about our family.
Regards
Anne
*If you have any information can you please email Jan your response and
she will pass this on to Anne
To: Jan
From: Anne
Subject: Donghi/The Pines information
Hi Jan
Many thanks for the information you sent, it wasn't repeated by Rosheen from
the Museum.
Didn't the person who restored the house do a great job?
I have worked out from postal directories that Charles Donghi moved into Rose
Street between 1939 and 1944 and lived there until he died in 1953.
In Margaret Gray’s book “Abbott’s Ford – a history of Waipawa” she
shows a census of the population of Waipawa in 1867, and this includes my
husband's grandfather Walter HANCOCK. It was Walter's daughter Emma who married
Guiseppe DONGHI. The street map in the book doesn't show where Walter lived, and
I wondered if there was any more to the map which wasn't published.
Thanks again for your interest and your help, we really appreciate it.
