Albert Park

Muir & Moodie No 3056/3058

Auckland Domain

National Publicity Studios hand-coloured postcard of Auckland Domain, N.Z.5076.

Auckland University Clock Tower

Auckland Habour Regatta Day

Auckland City

The towers of the city's commercial heart. Downtown Auckland rise up, next to the busy wharves of Waitemata Harbour.

Auckland Domain

"Stanley" Series postcard No.25 of Auckland Domain, "Lovers' Walk", c.early 1900's.

Auckland Wharfes - Date unknown

Central Hotel Auckland

Royal Artillary Military Band

he Auckland Exhibition was a world's fair held in Auckland Domain Park, Auckland, New Zealand in 1913 and 1914.

Auckland Exhibition crowds - Opening Day

Crowds at the Palace 1913/1914 The Auckland Industrial, Agricultural and Mining Exhibition opened on 1 December 1913 by the chairman of the fair (George Elliott) with the prime minister (William Massey) and Auckland's mayor (Peter Dignan) in attendance. A message of welcome was read from the king.There were 18000 attendees on the opening day. It ran until 18 April 1914[4]

Trams Customs St

Second Burial: New Zealand Chinese Experience 1883 and 1902

Second Burial: New Zealand Chinese Experience 1883 and 1902 - Researched by Helen Wong ISBN 978-0-473-24298-5 The Cantonese custom of secondary burial, the idea of exhuming the dead, cleaning the bones, and then burying them again, helps to explain why so many (overseas) Chinese were not only willing to exhume their dead but also to clean the bones and put them in containers for shipment back to China. * Reburial: Exhuming the Dead and Returning Them to China http://www.cinarc.org/Death-2.html#anchor_14 There were two periods of mass exhumation of Chinese in New Zealand, organised for the Panyu people, by the Dunedin Sew Hoy family. In 1883, 286 Chinese from the South Island were repatriated on the Hoi How. And in 1902, 499 were aboard the ill fated Ventnor when it sank 10 miles off the Hokianga Heads. This time Panyu men from both the South Island and the North Island were included, as well as eleven Wellington men from the Jung Seng county of China. helen.familytree at gmail.com To purchase email helen dot familytree @ gmail.com

Young historians win national awards

The names of two Otago Girls' High School pupils have been engraved in the history books of the New Zealand History Teachers' Association and the New Zealand Historical Association after winning awards at the organisations' 2012 New Zealand Young Historians' Awards. Rebecca Anderson (16) won the national year 12 competition with her essay titled "Times of Protest: Homosexual Law Reform", and Xanthe Musgrave (18) was runner-up in the year 13 competition with her essay titled "Maori Prisoners in Dunedin". Rebecca said her passion for human rights, law, and the current debate about same-sex marriage inspired her to write about the situation and include numerous historical ideas. The judges said the "textbook chapter" had clear evidence of in-depth, quality research. "The level of detail would not be out of place in year 13, or even university text. The clear winner." Xanthe won praise from the judges for her research essay on Maori prisoners and the way they were taken from their villages to be incarcerated for "doing nothing at all". "I like scandalous things, really. I've always thought about what life would be like as a prisoner. "My research has given me a healthy respect for the law. I don't want to end up behind bars." The judges were impressed with the presentation of her essay. "This work is presented as a Te Papa museum information booklet and meets the requirements of its format wonderfully. Detailed in its narrative and with perceptive analysis of issues with historical evidence, this is an excellent example of the level to which a local study can be taken." Both girls were delighted with their awards. Xanthe said it was the first time she had placed in a national writing competition. - john.lewis@odt.co.nz http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/231988/young-historians-win-national-awards By John Lewis on Fri, 26 Oct 2012

Wellingtonian editorial: When The Beatles came to town

The Bootleg Beatles revived happy memories for some Wellingtonians this week. The four English musicians make their living touring the world giving "Beatles" concerts. There are a few Beatles imitators, including an impressive group of New Yorkers called the Fab Faux. But The Bootleg Beatles are so good that they've had ringing endorsements from Beatles manager Sir George Martin and from Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison. They are playing at the St James until Sunday, and no doubt their shows will be well received. People will be twisting and shouting to their hearts' delight. However, it's doubtful if The Bootleg Beatles will bring any more joy to people than they did on Tuesday lunchtime when they stepped on to the balcony of the former St George Hotel and belted out a few Beatles classics. The real Beatles stood on the same balcony in June 1964 and waved to 7000 adoring fans. The Bootleg Beatles' appearance this week recalled one of the maddest weeks in New Zealand history. The Beatles arrived in Wellington from Sydney on Sunday, June 21, after a sensationally popular tour of Australia. They were met at Wellington airport by nearly 8000 fans and received a Maori welcome, including a haka and a hongi. Drummer Ringo Starr stepped behind a policeman and whispered in his ear jokingly: "Tell them we come in peace." Once the Fab Four had checked into the St George, a crowd gathered outside and began calling for The Beatles until they finally appeared on the now famous balcony. The Beatles played four shows at the Town Hall: two on Monday evening, two on Tuesday evening. Their shows comprised 11 songs and lasted just over 22 minutes, which doesn't sound much, but they left the full houses of 2500 fans more than satisfied. Their shows also included other musicians such as Johnny Devlin, Sounds Incorporated and a couple of blond American male singers with unusually high-pitched voices. After their second show each evening, The Beatles returned to the St George, where again crowds gathered and called for them, until they appeared at a window and waved. Ringo Starr played in Wellington, having missed most of the Australian tour because of tonsilitis. A fill-in drummer had taken his place. The Beatles were in New Zealand for seven days and were immensely popular - Beatlemania was just as big in New Zealand as it was in Britain, the United States and Australia. New Zealanders loved them and The Beatles were very friendly in public, although it later transpired, from books they wrote, that they had been rather bored while they were here and couldn't believe how early our one television channel closed for the evening. Ad Feedback Wellingtonians with an eye for these things were impressed with The Bootleg Beatles up on the St George balcony. Steve White, who plays Paul McCartney, even plays left-handed like the master and uses a Hofner bass, with its distinctive violin shape. A crowd quickly gathered to watch them this week, and some began calling out the names of favourite Beatles songs they wanted to hear. No-one seemed to want to leave. Perhaps there were too many warm memories from a time long past. - The Wellingtonian http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/7858197/Wellingtonian-editorial-When-The-Beatles-came-to-town

Nairn St's historic past CHLOE WINTER

Nairn St is said to be home to Wellington's oldest remaining residential building. The Colonial Cottage, at 68 Nairn St, became Wellington's first house museum in 1980. It was once home to William Wallis, an English carpenter and his family. Wallis and his wife, Catherine, arrived in New Zealand in 1857. Soon after, he bought land in Nairn St, one of Wellington's steepest streets, and built a cottage. It was made from timber delivered by bullock wagon from his timber yard in Manners St. In 1870, he built another home, Royston House, next to the family cottage. The second dwelling was necessary because of his growing family - he went on to have 10 children. The cottage was in the family for 127 years before the council obtained it under the Public Works Act in 1974 from Winifred Turner, William Wallis' grand- daughter. The council planned to demolish the cottage to make way for parking. Most of Wellington's early houses have long since been demolished but the Colonial Cottage Museum Society campaigned hard during the 1970s to save the cottage and eventually won the day. The society then restored the house to its original late-Georgian style and opened it as an educational museum in 1980. The cottage is now listed as an earthquake-prone building. Nairn St was named after Captain Alexander Nairne, a director of the New Zealand Company. Though he never set foot in New Zealand, Nairne helped fund European settlement. The street named in his honour has always had the final "e" missing, and it still does, despite recent Wellington City Council agitation to "correct" the spelling. Nairn St is notable for more than just residential land. At the top is Nairn Street Park. In 1895, Enoch Tonks, owner of a brick factory in Webb St, was given the right to use the clay at the top of Nairn St in exchange for transforming the site into a sports field. The ground is now used for football. Last updated 10:59 26/10/2012 http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/7860866/Nairn-Sts-historic-past

People Packed to the rafters

Posted on 26 February 2011. Packed to the rafters Shanghai Lils’ Russel Green lives life to the fullest 
Russel Green has had a lot of press in his time as the owner and face of iconic bar Shanghai Lils – which last year moved from Auckland’s heritage Birdcage building to Parnell. 
Shanghai Lils has been labelled “instantly memorable and effortlessly cool” because of its hand-carved dragons, antique Asian furniture and vintage art prints that are wall-to-wall in the bar. The bar been used for photo shoots because of its rich colours and vast amount of ornaments. It’s even been said that Shanghai Lils is “crammed to the gills” with antiques. After spending an afternoon at Russel’s Remuera home, the words of these writers came back to amuse me – if they think Russel’s place of business is crammed to the gills, they certainly haven’t seen his home! 
The first thing you need to know about Russel is that his life is very, very full.
 His schedule is packed with things he has to do at work, at home, with accountants and with friends. This schedule is so packed, in fact, that he had to take a phone call from professional gossip Bridget Saunders during our interview! 
Russel’s time at work is also taken up – he cleans the place and does the books before Shanghai Lils even opens, then for the rest of the evening he can be seen swanning in and out of the kitchen, chatting to people at the bar, shaking a pair of maracas along to the live band, or dancing flamenco-style with bar patrons. 
His mind is also packed full of information, mostly information about people. In our short interview I learned about Freda Stark, musician Mike Chunn’s family, movie stars, models, jet-setting bridge players and former royalty; I even found out a thing or two about express staff! 
Complementary to this life of fullness is Russel’s home, which he shares with jazz pianist Billy Farnell in the posh suburb of Remuera. From the road it’s difficult to picture what’s inside, but once you wind your way down an overgrown path to the house, you enter the lounge – inside is one of the biggest and most amazing collection of antiques you may ever come across. And it’s full to the brim.
 “Billy’s been collecting since long before he moved in here,” says Russel, gesturing towards one of Billy’s first buys, a ceramic crocodile mounted on the wall. “He’s been here since 1962 and I’ve been here since 1982. The place has changed dramatically over this time – it’s certainly filled up.” 
I wandered Russel and Billy’s lounge for some time, as wide-eyed as a kid in a candy store, taking photos of anything that caught my eye (and a LOT caught my eye). Taxidermied fox heads, smiling Buddhas, masquerade masks, shoes, busts, teapots, photo frames, furniture and lighting – it would take days to truly appreciate the collection, but I do have a few favourites; namely, the dolls!
 “There are hundreds of dolls in here,” says Russel. “Everything from a unique pair of Me and My Girl dolls from 1939 to a gruff-looking kid from the Hitler Youth Movement. We picked the little Hitler fellow up in Wellington and brought him home with us – he’s just great.”
 Personally I was a little afraid of the Aryan doll with the devilish blue eyes, but luckily there were about 50 other dolls I could look at within eyeshot, all from different eras.
 “Neither of us have a particular style of antique that we collect,” says Russel. “You think that because Shanghai Lils is so themed that there’s a particular type of thing we like but in reality, what’s in the bar is just part of what I have in storage. When you see something antique you really like, you have to buy it because otherwise you’ll never see it again. You should see my storeroom – it’s twice the size of Shanghai Lils and absolutely packed. There’s everything in there – African, Chinese, art deco, Indian, Moroccan – there’s such a selection in storage, it’s quite hard to comprehend.” 
It was at this point that my budding young vintage collector had to come out and ask, rather presumptuously, what does Russel plan to do with all these stored items? “No idea,” he laughs. “I might use the stuff, I might sell it – I really don’t know what to do. Perhaps I’ll have to start a new project and use the stuff there!” 
Despite their packed-to-the-rafters home, Russel and Billy still visit auctions regularly. During my interview with Russel, Billy is perusing an auction catalogue, complete with crockery and art, as well as stuffed snakes and bears.
“We still love going to the auctions – sometimes you can go there and there will be a deceased estate for sale,” says Russel. “Going there in winter is a good time – for some reason you can get things like full silver dinner sets for $20 or thereabouts. Nobody in these families want this stuff – their children want freedom and minimalism. So we grab them!” 
Russel admits that because of the amount of time he spends at the bar, time spent at home is limited. “We work so much that we’re out of the house a lot, especially during the evenings. You used to be able to see out the windows downstairs here, but it’s all overgrown now. Not that it matters – we’re quite nocturnal anyway so it doesn’t matter that we can’t see out.” 
I ask Russel if his theory on home and living is “more is more”. “I guess that’s about right,” he replies. “I like rooms that are like journeys – you head into a room and see what you can see at first glance and then you delve deeper and find more. That’s kind of what we have here and at Shanghai Lils. 
“Having this amount of stuff is a very big responsibility however – sometimes I wish we didn’t have so much stuff because it’s hard if you want to travel and do things. Stuff can be a burden – it’s beautiful and wonderful but it can be a burden. And cleaning it all is hard too, because I spend so much time at the bar cleaning on my day off that by the time I get home I do nothing. It sounds horrible but Billy does most of the housework here.” 
Russel also says there is the odd person out there who doesn’t like the quirky nature of his home or business. “Some people don’t get it here – it’s the same as the bar. Some people come into our home or into Shanghai Lils and think we’re crazy, but not everyone’s supposed to get it. 
“Personally I don’t get minimalism,” he laughs, before giving me some parting advice. “You can’t judge minimalism, because ultimately people have to make a choice about the way they live their lives. 
“But I also say you can’t judge minimalism, because there’s nothing to judge!” | Hannah JV
 http://www.gayexpress.co.nz/2011/02/packed-to-the-rafters/

Shanghai Lil's back on the scene By Anna Hart 4:00 AM Friday Jun 4, 2010

Auckland's nightlife hasn't been the same without it. Shanghai Lil's has finally reopened in its third incarnation in Parnell Many hearts were broken when Shanghai Lil's, housed in the iconic Birdcage in Freemans Bay, closed its doors to revellers last year. In a city where you'll find 10 leatherette-clad, R&B-playing cafe-bars for one quirky independent establishment, Lil's managed to be instantly memorable and effortlessly cool. All hand-carved dragons, Chinese red lanterns and 1930s art prints, entering Shanghai Lil's was like walking on to a film set - all the elegance of In The Mood For Love paired with the battiness of Grey Gardens - but regulars will tell you the most important part of the furniture has always been the double act of delightfully eccentric owner Russel Green and his resident jazz pianist - and partner of 22 years, Billy Farnell. Clad in Chinese silk and prone to sporadic outbursts of the can-can on the dance floor, they treated regulars, newbies and the occasional Hollywood star with the same degree of warmth and attention. But all good things must come to an end - in this case it was thanks to a wrecking ball courtesy of the Victoria Park tunnel which means the Birdcage will be dismantled and moved to a new location. For those who missed out on it, and for those who miss it, there is good news. Shanghai Lil's has found a new home in a colonial-style underground bar in Parnell Village. "As soon as I peered through the dust-covered window, I knew I'd found something special," says Green, sitting proudly on a plush sofa in the den-like new venue. "In fact, 'remembered' would be a better word than 'found', because I'd worked here back in 1994 when it was Valerio's. It's got a wonderful feel to it, and I love the fact that its underground, like an opium den. "The courtyard, with its wrought-iron spiral staircase and views of the Sky Tower sealed the deal. Plus we've got a dining room out the back, so we're finally able to include a restaurant." The shift from bar to restaurant is a new step for Shanghai Lil's, although Green has had stints as a chef in a long hospitality career. "I've always loved the concept of 1930s supper clubs, where people can dine, enjoy post-dinner cocktails and have a turn on the dance floor, all in the same venue." The all-new Shanghai Lil's has been open just a few weeks and has already hosted several "successful first dates", a "wonderfully celebratory" funeral wake and a dance floor takeover by a visiting dance act. "Shanghai Lil's is all about escapism. I want to provide an extraordinary setting where people feel free to let dramas unfold in their lives - whether it's kissing in a corner, dancing to the piano or meeting a fabulous new friend over a cocktail." So what do regulars make of the new venue? "As soon as people walk in, they say, 'Oh, it still feels like Shanghai Lil's'. Some say they prefer the low-ceiling intimacy of this place to The Birdcage." It's certainly got the same Aladdin's Cave feel to it: no nook or cranny is left devoid of an antique porcelain vase or elaborately-carved rosewood chest. "It's been fabulous fun delving into our collection to find pieces that fit here," says Green. The couple's art collection is legendary. Between the two of them they have 90 years worth of obsessive collecting of oriental furniture and art, Art Deco pieces and "anything whimsical and different, really". "Shanghai Lil's is essentially an extension of our living room at home. We joke that we opened the bar because we needed somewhere else to put everything." And what of the move from Ponsonby to Parnell? Is Green worried that the hipsters, musicians and visiting thespians who made Shanghai Lil's so colourful will be lost to other venues along the way? "Oh no," he says. "You see, we've put a sign up outside." It's this refreshingly low-key attitude that has made Shanghai Lil's a hit with visiting luminaries including Sir Ian McKellen, Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett; people who wouldn't dare show their faces at Spy Bar. In fact, the only reason Viva knows about the new opening is because we walked past the building; there were no press releases or vodka-sponsored launch parties here. Though Green insists he isn't in thrall to fame - "Everybody works hard and needs fun, everybody pays the same for a drink, so no so-called VIP is going to skip the door queue" - he clearly relishes Shanghai Lil's status as an underground celebrity hangout. "When Kate Bosworth and Geoffrey Rush (filming soon-to-be-released The Warrior's Way) came to the bar last year it was just delightful. Geoffrey got stuck into the red wine and after a couple of cocktails Kate agreed to have a dance with me. She was absolutely lovely - although so skinny I was terrified I'd break her in half - and we gave a great high-kicking floor-show." "And Scarlett! She was lovely. Although I didn't have a clue who she was, of course. This girl came in here with an American accent and a denim jacket on and mentioned that we'd been full the last time she was here and she'd been turned away at the door. It was only later that that someone told me who she was." The star stories come thick and fast, from the time Sir Ian McKellen chatted candidly about his Kiwi former beau to the time Anna Hoffman (who scandalised 1960s society by getting caught selling marijuana) counselled Millie Holmes (who scandalised 2008 society with her own brush with drugs) about "experimenting but not getting caught". "People call me a name-dropper, but everyone's got a name. It just happens that I like people whose names everyone knows. I admire people who've got up to do something different, whether they're a Hollywood actress or a reformed Mongrel Mob member. It's the story, not the name, that attracts me." Still, the fact that famous faces show up in your bar can hardly hurt business, can it? "Oh, it's never been about the money," laughs Green, as if this is the greatest joke in the world. "People assume that if you've got A-listers in your venue you're rolling in cash, but they spend the same on a glass of wine as anyone else. They just make our evenings a bit more interesting. Which is much more important anyway." If you're searching for the secret of Green's success, this is it in a nutshell: he's clearly doing it just for fun. "We count ourselves lucky to have a lifestyle that has us hosting a Fashion Week wrap party one week and an Aids Awareness initiative the next. The move to Parnell just means we'll have new faces, and new occasions to create. Running Shanghai Lil's keeps Billy and I in the middle of things. And that's exactly where we like to be." * Shanghai Lil's, 311 Parnell Rd, ph (09) 358 0868 , open Wed-Thurs 4.30pm-3am, Friday 12pm-3am, Sat 6pm-3am, Sun 10am-6pm. By Anna Hart

Collective experience By Alan Perrott 4:00 AM Monday Dec 22, 2008 "And that's when I became a Mormon" would sound jarring coming from anyone but Russel Green. Shanghai Lil's slightly cadaverous bon vivant is holding court and such statements are being tossed about wildly. Not bad for someone who was working until 5.30 this morning. Names, dates and potentially litigious details pour out, you just nod at every rhetorical question and try to keep up. It's great entertainment - even if most is unprintable. Still, when you're enclosed by as many distractions as Green has crammed into his Freemans Bay, Auckland bar - Shanghai Lil's - details of his life story are just the ticket to stop your attention from drifting. We're sitting in a space where eras clash as vividly as the colours. The result suggests Dr Phibes meets Busby Berkeley in a Raffles-themed whorehouse, a faded decadence that alone makes the place a fabulous curiosity. It's Green's kimono-clad presence, though, that turns a few quiets into an experience. If you don't have a story about him, then you've clearly never been here. But the 49-year-old's nightly performances at Shanghai Lil's aren't set for an extended stay. As with most of Green's life, change is approaching (courtesy of a wrecking ball), and Lil will soon have to move on to her third incarnation. But that's okay. Just as growing up in 1970s Hamilton drove him to religion, Green doesn't like being fenced in. Conformity riles him, it led him into bother at school and then into the Latter Day Saints, a brush that ended when a letter arrived telling him to start saving. Missionary work was a step too far, so he dropped out and gave up his only chance of getting some Mormon undies. They probably wouldn't have suited him anyway, his fashion sense hasn't been the same since his first stay with his Auckland relatives Besides, he's adamant that missionaries end up in the CIA or FBI - it's a long story, ask him yourself. He adored his grandmother. She lived in Te Aroha while also owning a home in the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven, which doubled as a bach and lodgings for her three daughters. None had married, although one, Lena, managed to remain engaged just long enough for her to catch her fiance talking to another woman, all the evidence of philandery she apparently needed. The trio transformed their mum's bach into a treasure trove of Victorian and Edwardian finery, and it became Green's favourite holiday destination. "I was fascinated living in that environment," he says. "Of course, people say it's no wonder I turned out the way I have after being bought up by a grandmother who doted on me and three spinster aunties - they were outrageous, quite mad. I loved staying there, I looked forward to every holiday. They had wardrobes full of these amazing old clothes and I used to dress up in them. Not that I'm cross-dresser, no, but yes, I guess they had an impact on what I've become." If not a cross-dresser, a manic collector definitely. Green's obsession began at the age of 7 when he bought a wind-up gramophone with a Maurice Chevalier 78 record for a princely 20c. He still has both, and over the following 40-odd - very odd - years they have been joined by enough stuff to fill friends' garages, storage rooms, one bar, and the home he shares with his partner and Shanghai Lil pianist, Billy Farnell. But we're not there yet. Back to Hamilton where Green was coming to the end of his school days and washing dishes for extra cash. His increasing fondness for antiques had him dead-set on an apprenticeship in furniture renovation, but when that fell flat in 1977 he used his dishwashing connections to become a chef instead. Two years later, in Auckland for what he thought would be a brief visit, Green fell among the fading embers of the local punk scene and stayed. "I didn't play anything, I just played up." He was living at the Empire Hotel and working at the Mae West bar, above the long-gone City Hotel, a popular spot with certain criminal elements such as safecracker Peter Wright. It was all rather headturning for a new boy in town. Just as he was settling, though, his girlfriend dragged him off to Christchurch. He returned a year later to get serious about his cooking. First there was Guadalupe on Karangahape Rd, where Alt TV now is, then he set up and ran Bonapartes in Parnell for six years, before a quick trip to Wellington to see his brother saw him accepting a job and accumulating some excellent mafia stories. A year later he was back and eventually set up The Business in Mission Bay. He looks back on those days with fondness: "Maybe it's just me but it seems that time moved more slowly back then, there was time to smell the roses." Green was also a fixture on the local gay scene and began developing something of an encyclopedic knowledge of Auckland bars - "I have to admit to being a bit of a drinker, but I think I could have picked worse vices" - while mostly circulating around Backstage, the Crypt, Alfies, Cream, the Empire, and the Alex. "Compared to then everything seems so much more sanitised today, don't you think? There was more acceptance of people then [within the gay community] and more places to go. When [homosexuality] was legalised everyone splintered off into their own little groups. I don't know, I just felt safer then, people watched out for each other more." It was then he met a childhood hero. "I think I was about 11 or 12, and I remember reading this story about Billy in a woman's magazine. He was a mad collector, and it talked about all the things he had in this wonderful home and some of the great musicians he'd met, people like Nat King Cole, Count Basie, and the Ink Spots. When I came to Auckland, I met people who knew him, and I even got a job with him, but I never realised who he was until I went to his house and recognised it. To have eventually met him and to now have been living together for 20 years, well, it's quite amazing really, isn't it?" It's also slightly alarming, considering how much they must have squirrelled away together. There must have been some relief when, in 2005, an opportunity arose for them to put all that lovely tatt to use. After hearing a mutual friend was off overseas, Green offered to take over the rent on the charmingly squalid space he'd been living in at the bottom of Anzac Ave in the central city. It was only $250 a week as the whole building was up for sale. Shanghai Lil's had a home, so had the city's boho community, at least for the few months it lasted. The interior looked like a clapped-out brothel dressed down in black paint, bead curtains, dim lighting and Asian antiques. It was lovely squalor, and for three nights a week you could enjoy any cocktail you wanted, as long as it was one of the two on their list. Another mutual friend, Grant Chilcott, a crooner about town who always parties like it's 1929, was a regular. He's known Green and Farnell individually for more than 30 years: "Billy's even been to most of my weddings. That place was hilarious. Those two are true gentlemen, eccentrics without even trying, and it really showed out there. You'd get all sorts of dodgy people looking through the door to see what was going on. They were quite scary types you really wouldn't want to have around, but they'd be welcomed in to have a look around at all the furniture and masks, then they couldn't get out fast enough. It was great. Definitely a place for people who were out there on the edge." It couldn't last, and within four months Lil was homeless again. Then in February 2006, Green was wandering through Freemans Bay and stopped to peer into the Birdcage's historic corner bar. Apart from a couple of pool tables and the massive portrait imported by former owner and current Auckland mayor, John Banks, another avid collector, the bar appeared unused. He approached the owners, the McCabes of the Saratoga Estate winery, who agreed he could re-establish Shanghai Lil's and away he went. Green says punters often suggest he must be raking in the money, but he says he's paid only about $400 a week. Licence-holder Kathy McCabe says this figure varies, depending on how much money comes over the bar. "When it's good everyone gets a bit of it." An admirable stance but regulars might still be surprised, especially given the venue's star-pulling power (Sir Ian McKellen, Scarlett Johansson, Geoffrey Green, the list goes on...). But Green is remarkably eager to defend the situation. He owns almost everything on display and pays for any repairs himself. "Oh, I don't need the money, not really. All I need is enough for the bills and whatever, but other than that I get to have a night out every night. It's a hard job, but it's a passionate job and we've managed to build a lifestyle around it. It wasn't like I didn't go into this with my eyes open, and it wasn't about us saying 'let's start a business', because it's not a business. It's an experience. We get to take people to another time where they can do pretty much whatever they want. To my mind, it doesn't matter how wrong or right a person is as long as they respect the people around them. So I'm not all bitter and twisted and I'm not being ripped off. We've created something a little unpredictable I think... and that's exactly what you need once that initial 'wow' has faded." What Green has achieved with his Erte art deco prints (formerly owned by comedian Michael Barrymore) and a job lot of objets d'art that once graced Flora McKenzie's Ring Terrace brothel, has won him the admiration of Auckland's more formal bar operators. Luke Dallow may have opened the massive Sale St venue just up the road, but he doesn't begrudge his competitor's success. "They've got their formula just right for what they're after, such fantastic decor, it's got a lovely feel. But then Russel is such an extraordinary character, he's character-plus, the way he flits around like he hasn't got a care, but you know the care is there. Always. It's a delicate balance for them, if you go too niche, too characterful, you won't survive. The audience for that sort of thing is very finickity, you only need a small change in economics or trends and you're gone. But then if I know anything about bars, Russel knows triple the amount and I know he's not in it just for the money, even if he smokes it all away. He's a great smoker." "Oh, I'm more of an exuberant trainwreck," says Green. "It's easy to get burned-out doing this, especially the way some people treat me. There are some who see me picking up glasses and they get this idea I'm this stupid old person who's failed in life, but I'm doing what I love. If I'm feeling flat I have the night off, that's better for everyone, but we'll keep going till we drop. "There's nothing else I want to do, I love the energy and I love the people, even when they're telling me all their problems. If they can then go away having had a lovely time, well that's a wonderful feeling." By Alan Perrott | Email Alan http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10549329

Lyttelton Times, of Wednesday August 27, 1873

MINOR MYSTERY DAY FROM PAST PAPER 68 YEARS OLD WRAPPING FOR VEGETABLES Life is full of minor mysteries and none the worse for it. One has cropped up this week in Auckland. It began with the entry of a small boy into a Chinese fruiterer's shop at Newmarket. Acting upon instructions received, the lad bought some vegetables and took them home neatly wrapped in newspaper. To-day, in Auckland, as everybody knows, there is something of a housing shortage. Being of a helpful turn of mind, the youngster scanned the paper as thoroughly as was possible without losing the vegetables on the road home. To his excitement, he ran across an advertisement which seemed to be the very thing. A five-roomed house and land, and cheap enough bv all.standards. He showed It to ms parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Bond, of Remuera, who were also interested. Then came the catch. The agent's name was unfamiliar and no address was given A glance at the top of the sheet, however, brought enlightenment. The paper was a copy of the Lyttelton Times, of Wednesday August 27, 1873. With regret, the family decided that the house was in all probability no longer vacant This copy of one of the Dominion's pioneer newspapers does not seem to have been the only one supplied with a couple of cauliflowers or six penn'orth of carrots. Several other cases have been reported, some of the dates going back even further. Oriental Philosophy A visit to the shop by a Star reporter proved fruitless in more ways than one. On the counter there was a huge pile of newspapers for wrapping purposes, but although nearly every other New Zealand news sheet seemed to be represented there were no more copies of the Lyttelton Times. The Chinese shop assistant knew nothing of the matter. With Oriental philosophy he saw nothing unusual in wrapping vegetables grown this spring in papers which were first read 70 years ago. The papers were clean and in a good state of preservation— an amazing state of preservation, in fact—and that was all he was concerned about. The only explanation that seems to fit is that the dealer handling the papers must have received a bundle of old Times from some household which had treasured them for over half a century. First printed on the beach at Lyttelton a few days after the arrival of the first four ships, the paper was incorporated with the Christchurch Star-Sun about seven years ago. And what were the worthy Christchurch colonists concerned with on Wednesday, August 27, 1873? In the first place, to judge by an august yet somewhat irate leading article they were more than a little concerned over the New Zealand University question. At that time there seems to have been a danger that Canterbury College would go out of existence in favour of a scheme which involved colleges in Auckland and Otago only. The Otago centre in particular suffered under the pen of a leader writer evidently carried away with righteous wrath. Sailing Ships Fill Port According to the shipping news, the harbour was full at the time but out of the 22 ships in port only one was a steamship. The activities of the port in those days were of vital interest to the community— even the mails between the main centres were carried by water—and this is reflected in the amount of publicity given to the movements of boats. Under the heading of "Telegrams" (per Anglo-Australasian Press Telegraph Agency; is an interesting item to the effect that an old man poisoned himself in Auckland with strychnine. "It is said that he took it, continues the report, "believing it to be carbonate of soda. He had been drinking heavily." News of far and near is grouped under the single heading of "Town and Country." Taking pride of place at the top of the column is an announcement that a special entertainment would be given at Akaroa on Thursday night. An advertisement elsewhere referring to the performance states: "The Star Polygraphic Company will present their pleasing entertainment to-morrow evening in the Akaroa Hall. This company comprises the following star artistes:— Mrs. Towers, Miss Rosa Towers Signor Ferrari and his highly trained Brazilian monkeys (the wonder of the age)." The only other entertainment offering appeared to be a presentation in Christchurch of "Orpheus and Eurydice," "the most sparkling production of the present day, written by Henry Byron, the comic writer of Europe." The paper's dramatic critic, incidentally, was not impressed by the latter show, commenting on one unfortunate actor: "Beyond his make-up there is nothing to commend in the part of Proserpine taken by Mr. The railway in those days was moving very slowly outward from Christchurch, and tenders are called in an announcement for the construction of the line from Ashley to Amberley. Nelson Iron Ore Industry A lengthy article from the Melbourne Herald is reprinted in which the writer excitedly urges the establishment of an iron ore industry in Nelson and condemns out of hand all inhabitants of the district for their lack of initiative—"That such a marvellously rich field, lying as it does almost at the back doors of the Nelson people has hitherto received no attention naturally excites wonder in the minds of us Victorians, but to anyone who knows the apathy of the Nelsonians, the wonder will be but shortlived." Another short but interesting article is a discourse on perambulators, commencing: "I don't like children, and -that is why I do have such an attachment for perambulators. They kill off more of the infant population in the same time than were the number of slain in the Franco-Prussian war," Local body meetings and the Legislative Council are meticulously reported almost word for word. Bills read a second time on August 26 included the Auckland Supreme Court Site Bill and the Wanganui River Foreshore Grant Bill. As might "be expected in a young farming community, advertisements for stock sales and agricultural ishows take, up the greater proportion of advertising space. A notification of a cattle sale at Lake Ellesmere contains the inducement that "The excellent flavour of Lake Ellesmere beef is notorious!" Other advertisements include an announcement that a coach service was shortly to be commenced between Rakaia and Ashburton, and a lengthy statement by a sauce manufacturer concerning certain dealers who had applied his trade name "to their own inferior products." And so out of four nand-set pages of small type arises a day from the past. It would be easy to be superior and laugh at much of it were it not than 70 years hence the modern newspaper of to-day may appear somewhat stale if used as wrapping paper for fresh vegetables! Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 239, 9 October 1941, Page 10

Lang may yer lum reek in Stratford

The Stratford and District Scottish Society celebrated its centennial with a lunch at the Pioneer Village's Shakee Pear cafe last Sunday afternoon. The original society came into being after a very successful Burns Night in January 1912. At the inaugural meeting 110 members were present and all had a strong desire to preserve the customs and traditions of their motherland for future generations. The society enjoyed Scottish country dancing and formed a pipe band which competed in regional and national competitions. Such was the demand for pipe and drum lessons in the early 1960s the band had to put an advert in the local paper saying they were full and couldn't take any more learners. They held Highland Games in Stratford in 1963 and 1964 and in 1978 they held a Military Tattoo to mark the Stratford District's Centennial celebrations. Burns Night and, to a lesser extent, St Andrew's Day have always been highlights on the society's calendar. The original society had to apply to Scotland and get permission to hold a Burns' Night celebration. They then had to follow a strict protocol for events, unlike modern-day Burns Nights which are far more relaxed occasions. Sunday's celebrations saw guests entertained with a display of Highland Dancing by children from the Morgan B. School of Dance as well as the Female World Champion herself. Proceedings were rounded off predictably with the toasting of the haggis in true Robbie Burns style and some pipe band music. ELAINE PICKFORD- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR Last updated 11:12 03/05/2012 John Campbell and Winston Kerr pipe in the haggis.