It is very special that the
Birley grave is not only surrounded by unique wrought iron fencing, but also
the headstone marking the grave itself is embellished with dainty lead fuchsias,
in recognition to the incredible creativity and skill of engineer and
blacksmith, Peter Birley who crafted exceptional iron pieces like no one else
in New Zealand during his time.
 |
| The Birley family headstone, located in Wesleyan Divison A, Plots 11 - 13. Showing the decorative border of fushia's archng along the top. Photo by Cathy Currie. |
Peter Birley gained notoriety for
an elegant fuchsia which he ingeniously wrought from Lowmoor iron. The delicate
design incorporated buds, flowers, stamens, pistils and leaves with intricate
veining, twinned around a stem approximately 1.2 metres in length. [1] He
exhibited the piece under glass non competitively at agricultural and
industrial shows within New Zealand, [2] [3] [4] and also entered it into
competition, obtaining first prize for ornamental ironwork at the Sydney
Exhibition in 1879, the Melbourne Exhibition in 1881, the Industrial Exhibition
in Wellington in 1885, [5] and The Indian and Colonial Exhibition at London.
[6] This outstanding achievement earned Peter Birley such fame that a New
Zealand newspaper praised his talent and titled him the New Zealand Quentin
Matsys in likeness of the Flemmish Backsmith and painter Quentin Mattsys (1466
– 1530) [7]. And the following poem was
published in tribute to Mr Birley:
“Sweet Goddess,
Flora,
How did he come o'er her?
What wiles did he use to induce her
To grant him the power
To grow such a flower
As a blooming wrought iron fuchsia.
The Governor said —
" Let our smiths go to bed,
Wrapped up in soft blankets to stew, sir,
Before any of them
Could produce such a gem
As a blooming wrought iron fuchsia."
They say Peter Birley,
With hair very curly —
When he combs he can scarce pull it through, sir,
Between me and you,
They say it's quite true
That he made the wrought iron fuchsia.
But he opened his eyes
When he got the first prize,
But I don't know what else they could do, sir ;
The Commission men Had never, till then,
Seen a blooming wrought iron fuchsia!”
-
[8] The New Zealand Quentin Matsys.,Observer,
Volume 9, Issue 557, 31 August 1889
 |
| 1/2 length portrait of Peter Birley, wearing a hat and a chain with a coin attached. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 5-2382 |
In 1859 he immigrated with his
wife Ellen to Auckland, New Zealand aboard the vessel Tornado [8] [9] and
entered into partnership in November the same year with Mr James Kinloch of
Kinloch and Hill Engineers and Millwrights. The new partnership of Kinlock and
Birley advertised wrought and cast iron work at cheaper rates than Kinlock and
Hill had previously offered. [10] They remained in business together for 2 1/2 short years working out of Mechanics bay before selling out to Davison
and Fraser which developed into the large well known business Fraser and Tinne.
[9] [11] He next embarked on a business venture with J. Booth and Co on 17th
of April 1862. A partnership with John Pettit and John Booth as Timber dealers
and sash makers in Mechanics Bay. [12] However this partnership was soon
dissolved [13] and in 1863 Peter Birley was operating his own Shoeing Forge in
Victoria Street executing a variety of smith work to a high standard [14]
1873 was the year in which
Peter Birley travelled to England. On his return voyage to New Zealand by the
barque Anazi, the vessel stranded at Donald Makay’s Bay 3 miles from Lake
Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore during the night of the 28th of
February 1874. Mr Birley and fellow passenger Mr Woods honourably risked their
lives by swimming to shore early the following morning, and then walked 10
miles in wet clothes to the home of Mr Heather of Messers Owen and Graham the
vessels agents, to seek assistance for the barque and her passengers. [15] [16]
The conduct of the Anazi’s captain was questionable, he refused to let any
passengers leave the stranded ship, and was lashed to the mast in order for
them to be attended to by locals. It was also alleged that his conduct provoked
the steward to take his own life during the voyage by jumping overboard. [18]
It was back to smithing for Peter Birley who later in
1874 secured a large contract constructing 40 railway gates which he made from
tubular iron to ensure they were as lightweight as possible while maintaining
strength. [17]
The 7th of April
was a day etched into the memory of Peter Birley who went on a fishing excursion
with William Grosse a commercial traveller, W. M Davidson the landlord of the
York Hotel and Charles Lee the Clerk in Ireland Brothers. The companions set
off in a small open sail boat named the pearl, and after being unsuccessful at
Calliope point they sailed to Kauri point where a sudden gust of wind capsized
the boat half a mile from the shore. The narratives of the men vary, however it
is clear that Gross and Davidson held on to the capsized boat and Peter Birley
was found floating some distance away clinging to a board. He said he was so
exhausted that he could not have held on a moment longer. All three men were
rescued by passing vessels. Unfortunately Charles Lee drowned leaving behind a
wife close to her time of confinement and two young children. [18]
Not only was Peter Birley
renowned for his artistic prize winning iron fuchsia. He was also praised for a
pair of uniquely crafted 1 metre long wrought iron smoking pipes which resided
in the Auckland museum. And a steel pen knife which was presented to the
Wellington Museum by The Hon. William Swanson. The knife forged by My Birley
stunned local smiths as it contained an unburnt straw embedded along the entire
length of its blade. [6] In 1887 the dilapidated tomb of Govenor Hobson, the
first governor of New Zealand who died in 1842 was replaced, and Peter Birley
was responsible for providing the iron railings. [19] He continued a smithing
business at premises from his home at Seafield View Rd Grafton and his sons
Peter and Harry also learnt the craft. [9] [20]
At 6 pm on the evening of the 7th
of January 1891 at the age of 61 years, Peter Birley passed away at his home,
surrendering to spinal and brain illnesses which had ailed him for 5 months
prior. [6] [9] He was a member of the Lodge of Oddfellows, Parnell and there is
little doubt that his lodge brothers would have attended his funeral on the 10th
of January. [9] The Trades and Labour Council also requested the trade Unions
to attend. [22] The well known and respected business man, remarkable engineer,
craftsman and artist, And beloved husband,
father and grandfather was laid to rest in the Waikumete clay with his eldest
daughter Mary Hannah who had passed away on the 15th of September
1886. [22] Mr Birley left his widow Ellen, 2 sons Peter and Harry, 5 daughters
Susanna, Elizabeth, Eva, Emily, Jessica and several young grandchildren to
mourn his loss. [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]
Peter Birleys widow Ellen, son
Harry a blacksmith and daughter Eva a spinster continued to live in the family
home. [20] By the time of Ellen’s passing in 1908 their grandchildren numbered
21! [10]
The inscription on the Birley headstone reads:
 |
| The Birley family grave, located in Wesleyan Divison A, Row 2, Plots 11 - 13. Photo by Cathy Currie |
Of
PETER BIRLEY
Born March 22nd 1829
Died January 7th 1891
Also
his daughter
MARY HANNAH
died September 15 1886
Aged 34 years
My God is a Loving God
Also
ELLEN
wife of the above
Born October 13 1832
Died November 1
1908
Errected by his loving wife Ellen (Cunnold Ponsonby)
Brass plaque at base:
In Loving Memory of
HARRY CLAUDE BIRLEY
Died November 2nd 1953 aged 80 years
Also
EVA BIRLEY
Died March 9 1961 aged 97 years
The Waikumete Cemetery Burial Book records:
Wesley A Row 2
Birley Mary Hannah
34 yrs 17.9.1886 plot 11
Birley Harry Claude
Adult 4.11.1953 plot 11
Birley Eva
Adult 11.3.1961 plot 11/13
Birley Peter 61 yrs 10.1.1891 plot 13
Birley Ellen
Adult 5.11.1908 plot 13
[31]
Complied by Cathy Currie
[1] New Zealand Herald, New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV,
Issue 4813, 20 April 1877
[2] CATTLE AND AGRICULTURAL SHOW, New Zealand Herald,
Volume XV, Issue 5303, 14 November 1878
[3] THE NEW ZEALAND COURT
IN THE INTERNATIONAL
EXHIBITION.,Bruce Herald, Volume XII, Issue 0, 14 November 1879, Supplement
[4] NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION, Auckland Star,
Volume XXVI, Issue 5467, 27 January 1885
[5] LIST OF AWARDS.,Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 74,
24 September 1885
[6] Auckland Star, Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 6, 8
January 1891
[8] The New Zealand Quentin Matsys, Observer, Volume 9,
Issue 557, 31 August 1889
[9] OBITUARY.,New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue
8473, 26 January 1891
[10] THE DOCTORS AND THE B.M.A.,Auckland Star, Volume
XXXIX, Issue 263, 3 November 1908
[10] Page 1 Advertisements Column 4, New Zealander,
Volume XV, Issue 1421, 30 November 1859
[11] Page 2 Advertisements Column 2, New Zealander,
Volume XVIII, Issue 1671, 23 April 1862
[12] Page 1 Advertisements Column 6, New Zealander,
Volume XVIII, Issue 1670, 19 April 1862
[13] Page 1 Advertisements Column 5, Daily Southern
Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1742, 18 February 1863
[14] Page 1
Advertisements Column 3, Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1964, 2
November 1863
[15] HONOUR ,WHERE HONOUR IS DUE, New Zealand Herald,
Volume XI, Issue 3847, 12 March 1874
[16] STRANDING
or THE BARQUE ANAZI, FROM LONDON.
CREW AND PASSENGERS SAFE.,Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5157,
2 March 1874
[17] LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS, The Colonist, Volume XVI,
Issue 1807, 8 September 1874
[18] FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT, New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX,
Issue 6362, 8 April 1882
[19] GOVERNOR HOBSONS TOMB.,Auckland Star, Volume XVIII,
Issue 84, 11 April 1887
[20] New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853–1981. Auckland,
New Zealand: BAB microfilming. available from http:ww.ancsetry.com.au
Parnell 1853 -8164, 1870 – 1871, 1946, 1949
Auckland 1890, 1896, 1900
Auckland East 1905, 1911, 1914, 1919, 1928, 1935, 1938
Onehunga 1954
Eden 1896, 1900, 1911, 1914, 1919
Roskill 1928, 1935, 1938
[21] NEW ZEALAND.,Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7756, 9
January 1891
[22] Deaths, Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 218, 16
September 1886
[23] A DRUNKEN FREAK.,Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue
257, 31 October 1888
[24] Citing Internal Affairs New Zealand Births Deaths
and Mariages on line https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
1873/13702 Birley Harry Claude
[25] Citing Internal Affairs New Zealand Births Deaths
and Mariages on line https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
1870/14394 Birley Jessica
[26] Citing Internal Affairs New Zealand Births Deaths
and Mariages on line https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
1866/10069 Birley Emily Maud
[27] Citing Internal Affairs New Zealand Births Deaths
and Mariages on line https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
1863/6439 Birley Eva
[28] Citing Internal Affairs New Zealand Births Deaths
and Mariages on line https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
1860/4230 Birley Elizabeth Ellen
[29] General Register Office England & Wales, Civil
Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 London, England
Birley Peter 1858
Volume 8D Page 111 Line Number 27
[30] Citing Peter Birley in entry Christening Susanna
Birley, 14 May 1854, St Philip, Manchester, Lancashire, England, Archives
Central Library, Manchester; FHL microfilm 2,357,535"England, Manchester,
Parish Registers, 1603-1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F9M8-K3Y
: 17 December 2015)
[31] Waikumete Cemetery Burial Book. New Zealand Cemetery
Records. New Zealand Society of Genealogists Incorporated.
Image Peter Birley: Sir George Grey Special Collections,
Auckland Libraries, 5-2382
Image Peter Birley: Sir George Grey Special Collections,
Auckland Libraries, 5-2382
Image: Birley family headstone: Cathy Currie
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