The Ashbury area, now a coastal park in Timaru, was once a very different landscape. In its earliest days, this land featured the Waimātaitai Lagoon, a vibrant estuary teeming with life, and a meandering stream that flowed freely through the area. The lagoon and stream supported a rich ecosystem, including a thriving population of tuna (eels), which were vital to the local environment and played a significant role in the diet and culture of the Māori who lived here long before European settlement.
The transformation of this landscape began in the mid-19th century when Captain Belfield Woollcombe, known as the “father” of Timaru, established his home here. He named his property “Ashbury” after his family’s estate in Devon, England, and planted many of the majestic English trees that still line the southern end of Ashbury Park. The land overlooked the Waimātaitai Lagoon, a natural feature that would later be drained as part of urban development.
As the stream was enclosed in underground drains to support the growing settlement, the local tuna population dwindled. Without their natural habitats, these once-abundant eels became a rare sight, symbolising the broader ecological changes brought about by colonisation and urbanisation.
In recent years, efforts have begun to restore parts of the stream above the underground drainage system. These initiatives aim to revive the ecological balance and create a haven for native wildlife, including the tuna. The history of Ashbury reminds us of the deep connection between people, land, and water. The restoration of the stream and the memories it carries offers a chance to honour the past while fostering a more harmonious relationship with nature.
Waimātaitai "Waimataitai"
Waimātaitai was a hāpua (lagoon) situated near the Tīmaru foreshore, renowned as an important source of mahinga kai. In 1880 Hoani Kāhu from Arowhenua described Waimātaitai as “e rauiri” (an eel weir) where tuna (eel) and inaka (whitebait) were gathered. This saltwater lagoon was eventually lost in 1933 due to changes in sediment drift caused by the creation of the Port of Tīmaru. - https://kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas
By 1933, the saltwater lagoon in this area was lost, largely attributed to sediment drift changes accelerated by the construction of the Port of Timaru. However, other infrastructure developments also played a role. A railway line was constructed nearby, and the main state highway ran alongside the wetland area, effectively boxing in the lagoon and preventing its natural inland migration as the coastline shifted. The stream that fed the lagoon was prone to flooding, and while it was bridged at the state highway, the persistent flooding caused significant issues. To address this, the stream was eventually diverted into a stormwater drain.
Timaru from the Air when Waimataitai Creek still ran through what is today Ashbury Park. You can see how close the Caroline Bay Tea Rooms used to be to the sand. For many of the aerial photographs, while Doug Mill was piloting the plane his wife Audrey was leaning out of the open cockpit with a camera. Between 1927-1937. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections FDM-0690-G - Creative Commons Licence: Attribution CC BY
A view from Edward Sealy’s House (just east of Craighead Diocesan School) looking towards the Waimataitai Lagoon in 1873. On the left, the small bridge crosses Athol Place. In the middle distance, you can see what is now Ashbury, with Ashbury Park situated behind. To the right, the original "Ashbury" stands—home to Belfield Woollcombe. The park was once known as "Woollcombe’s Paddock," and the surrounding grounds were informally referred to as the "Waimataitai grounds" by rugby players in the 1880s and 1890s.
Edward's son, Edward Percy Sealy, represented South Canterbury in rugby in 1900.
The location of the original house now lies within Ashbury Park, where the Ashbury Croquet Club is based. The house would have stood on the upper field, where Captain Belfield Woolcombe’s residence, ‘Ashbury,’ was located in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before being demolished around 1914.
View north up the Timaru District coastline showing an interruption by the Timaru basalt formation. It forms the first hill south of the Canterbury Plains where Timaru's Hilton Highway ends (named after Timaru's first woman Mayor of TimaruCity 1959-62). Photography courtesy of Geoff Cloake 2012.
Tuna / eels in the steam that runs beside the holiday park. This stream connects to a underground drain under Ashbury Park, Waimataitai Beach. Photo Supplied by Timaru Top 10 Holiday Park
This 1874 sketch is from Benvenue Cliffs looking to Dashing rocks. You can see the spit that used to be here and the lagoon on the left. Eliot was here taking measurements to draw the Harbour construction plans. After the breakwater was started in 1878, it was noticed that the shingle bank was being eroded. In the early 1800s, basalt rock was brought in to protect the bank and the rail way behind it. By the 1820s the lagoon was under threat, it was filled in and by 1935 the Waimataitai Lagoon was gone. - Eliot, Whately. 1874, Near Timaru, N.Z., Sept. 23, 1874 , viewed 27 April 2023 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138582026
1977 [Wellington, N.Z.] : Dept. of Lands and Survey https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE28585077 https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE28585077 This image may be used, copied and re-distributed free of charge in any format or media. Where the image is redistributed to others the following acknowledgement note should be shown: 'Sourced from LINZ. Crown Copyright reserved.'
Section of An early map of Timaru in 1860. Courtesy of the National Library. Archives New Zealand/Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga. Christchurch Office. Archives reference: CH1031, BM 245 pt 2, R22668176
Section on the map showing the stream running through what is today Ashbury Park. The stream now runs through a storm water drain under the feild. Section of An early map of Timaru in 1860. Courtesy of the National Library. Archives New Zealand/Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga. Christchurch Office. Archives reference: CH1031, BM 245 pt 2, R22668176
Whales Creek Railway Viaduct at the foot of Wai-iti Rd and Evans Street, Timaru, New Zealand, 1904-1915, Timaru, by Muir & Moodie. Purchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa (PS.001051)
In this map you can see the waimataitai lagoon before it was drained and turned into a park. The stream was piped underground and can be seen at the golf course. Miscellaneous plans - borough of timaru, south canterbury, 1911 - t.N. Brodrick, chief surveyor canterbury ndhadeliver.Natlib.Govt.Nz/ie31423732
What was once a lagoon, is now Ashbury Park. Aerial view of Timaru, showing Caroline Bay, harbour and town between 1920 and 1939. - Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections FDM-0690-G
1936-01-22 - Timaru, the principal centre of South Canterbury: an aerial view of portions of the business and residential areas - Supplement to the Auckland Weekly News, 22 January 1936, p.49. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19360122-49-02. No known copyright restrictions. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/271698/rec/2
Wise’s map of Timaru ca.1954. To the best of our knowledge the image is free of copyright, but legal opinion should be sought to establish certainty before publishing the image in any way or using it for commercial purposes. https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Maps/479779
Location of archival pop-up tags ascent locations on four longfin eels tagged and released from south of Christchurch. The tags were programmed to release from each eel at a different time. Once the tags came up to the ocean surface they sent all of the data they had been collecting via satellite to NIWA scientists eagerly awaiting the results. Credit: Don Jellyman
Eliot, Whately. 1874, Mr. Woollcombe's house, Ashbury, Timaru, N.Z., October 1874 , viewed 22 November 2024 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138582421. Out of Copyright. Creator Date of Death is Before 1955
Venue For Queen’s Reception: Historic Associations
By a Timaruvian
Ashbury Park—a name that today is relatively unknown to many outside South Canterbury—may soon gain prominence, with its name perhaps being broadcast across the airwaves next month. There is something gracious and melodic about the name, and it is fortunate that it has been preserved. Some, however, have suggested renaming it "Waimataitai Park," a name evoking the area's history of brackish water.
The land now known as Ashbury Park holds a rich history. It was once home to Captain Woollcombe, one of Timaru's earliest and most legendary settlers. A former West Country vicar, Woollcombe served over 20 years in the Royal Navy before emigrating to New Zealand in 1851. For a time, he worked as a sheep farmer at Mt. Parnassus before settling in Timaru.
Captain Woollcombe took on a wide array of duties as Timaru developed. At various points, he was the magistrate, returning officer, resident land agent, coroner, health officer, customs officer, treasurer, immigration agent, postmaster, benchmaster, and pilot. As the settlement grew, some of these roles were passed on to others, but he continued as magistrate and returning officer until his retirement in 1873.
Upon arriving in Timaru, Captain Woollcombe built a cob cottage, reportedly working on it himself when the Strathallan arrived in January 1859. His multi-talented contributions extended beyond administration—he also drew the plans for Timaru's first small church, helped build it, and laid the foundation stone. As a devout churchman and son of a clergyman, his role in the community was central.
The Evolution of Ashbury Park
The area that is now Ashbury Park has undergone significant changes. In its early days, the flat expanse of Woollcombe's gully (later known as Waimataitai) was a natural setting for activities like rugby, with some of the region's earliest representative games played there. A creek, now covered, and a lagoon, long since disappeared, once formed part of the landscape. When the land was still privately owned, local boys were allowed to play on the flat.
After the land transitioned to public ownership, it saw remarkable improvements. Trees planted on the eastern slope are relatively recent additions. As beautification efforts continue, particularly on the land north of the creek, Ashbury Park is set to become even more desirable as a community asset.
Ashbury House and Legacy
Captain Woollcombe lived in a house called "Ashbury," which was named after his West Country roots. The property remained in the family after his passing in 1891, with his widow and children occupying it for some time. Eventually, the municipal authorities acquired the property, repurposing it as a public park.
Ashbury Park, with its history and evolution, is now a cherished community space. It stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of early settlers like Captain Woollcombe, whose influence continues to shape the landscape and identity of Timaru.
Death of Pioneer Resident: Third White Child Born In Timaru, Miss Laura Woollcombe (20 Oct 1948). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 22/11/2024, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/1094
Death of a Pioneer Resident
Third European Child Born in Timaru
Miss Laura Russell Woollcombe, the third European child born in Timaru, passed away yesterday.
Born in 1862, she was the eldest daughter of Captain Belfield Woollcombe, RN, and Mrs. Woollcombe. Captain Woollcombe arrived in Timaru in 1857, when the settlement consisted of only two houses: one belonging to Samuel Williams and the other to Captain Cain. The Woollcombe family’s first home was a simple shed on the beach, its walls constructed from wool bales borrowed from the Rhodes Brothers.
Captain Woollcombe held many roles in the early days of Timaru, serving as magistrate for the district stretching from the Rakaia to the Waitaki Rivers, as well as immigration agent, postmaster, customs officer, and harbourmaster.
Vivid Memories of Early Timaru
Miss Woollcombe often recalled pivotal moments in Timaru’s history. One such memory was of a sunny Sunday morning when, on the way to church, she spotted three ships anchored offshore. Her father, Captain Woollcombe, warned that they were in danger if they did not leave. Morning service was interrupted by the distress signals of the rocket brigade. The congregation watched as the Benvenue and the City of Perth were wrecked on the rocks.
During the first vice-regal visit to Timaru by Governor Sir George Grey, a young Laura Woollcombe had the honour of presenting the official bouquet. When the Governor handed it to his aide-de-camp, however, she felt slighted and promptly turned her back on him—a display of her strong spirit even as a child.
Contributions to Development
The Woollcombe family played a significant role in the development of the region. Before settling in Timaru, Captain Woollcombe partnered with J.W. Mallock, the founder of Heathstock Station in North Canterbury. Mrs. Woollcombe, née Feudal, hailed from a prominent family; her father, the Reverend Henry Feudal, owned a farm that later became the Christchurch suburb of Fendalton.
Miss Woollcombe’s extended family also left their mark on the area. Her aunt married James Andrew, founder of Otematata Station in the Waitaki Valley, while another married Philip Bouverie Luxmoore, founder of Te Akatarawa Station. Laura Woollcombe frequently accompanied Mrs. Luxmoore on trips into town.
The Woollcombe family was instrumental in establishing St. Mary’s Church in Timaru, providing both support and resources for its construction.
A Trailblazing Career in Nursing
Miss Woollcombe likely became New Zealand’s first qualified nurse. She trained at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, where her uncle served as surgeon-in-chief, and was awarded her certificate by Florence Nightingale in 1884.
She later served as the first sister in charge of nurses deployed to South Africa during the Boer War. For five years, she worked aboard the No. 2 Hospital Train, headquartered in Pretoria, providing care until the war's conclusion.
Family Tragedy
Miss Woollcombe’s only brother, North Woollcombe, served in the British Civil Service in Singapore. He and his wife, a granddaughter of Timaru pioneer Henry Le Cren, tragically lost their lives during a rebellion in Singapore.
A Legacy of Grace and Strength
After years abroad, Miss Woollcombe returned to Timaru in 1933. Despite losing her sight in later years, she remained a gracious and dignified figure, retaining her sharp mind and progressive outlook on life. She leaves behind a legacy of pioneering resilience and dedication to community service.
The Legacy of Captain Belfield Woollcombe: The Grandfather of Timaru
The Legacy of Captain Belfield Woollcombe: The Grandfather of Timaru
Have you ever strolled along Ashbury Avenue, beneath the old English trees, and wondered who planted them? These trees are part of the legacy of Captain Belfield Woollcombe, often referred to as the “Grandfather of Timaru.” A pioneer in every sense, Woollcombe arrived in Timaru in 1857 and lived in a colonial cottage named Ashbury on the land that is now Ashbury Park. His remarkable contributions to the region’s early development left an enduring mark on Timaru’s history.
A Man of Many Hats
Captain Belfield Woollcombe, born on 1st January 1816 in Pellerton, Devon, was the son of Rev. Henry Woollcombe. After marrying Frances Anne in Heathcote Valley in 1861, the couple travelled to Timaru by bullock cart—a journey taking three weeks due to the challenges of crossing the Geraldine River. At that time, Timaru consisted of just two houses.
Initially living in a shed on the beach, Woollcombe soon built a whare with his own hands and later established a more substantial home overlooking the Waimataitai Lagoon (now Ashbury Park). His residence, named Ashbury after his Devonshire roots, became a hub for his extensive responsibilities as a government representative. He held numerous roles, including magistrate, harbour master, coroner, health officer, registrar, and overseer of public works—a level of multitasking that defined his era.
Building Timaru’s Civic Foundations
Woollcombe’s efforts laid the foundation for civic order in Timaru. He helped construct the original wooden St Mary’s Anglican Church, where he served as the first churchwarden. His naval background also proved invaluable, enabling him to survey Timaru Harbour with scientific precision.
The English trees he planted remain a visible link to his legacy, shading the southern end of Ashbury Park. His home is long gone, but the land still evokes the pioneering spirit he embodied.
Family and Community Contributions
The Woollcombe family were integral to Timaru’s growth. Their daughter, Laura Russell Woollcombe, became one of the first New Zealanders to qualify as a nurse, with her certificate presented by Florence Nightingale in 1892. Laura later served in the Boer War and contributed during World War I.
Frances Woollcombe, meanwhile, established a Sunday school at their home in 1879. This grew into All Saints Church, which played a vital role in the community for decades. The family’s connection with All Saints extended for generations, with daughters Chrysta and Katherine dedicating 60 years of service to the church.
Exploring the Past
Although the Woollcombe home no longer stands, their history is preserved in archives, photographs, and written accounts. From St Mary’s limestone baptismal font to Laura’s nursing service, the Woollcombe family’s contributions are interwoven with Timaru’s heritage.
For those keen to learn more, resources include historical records, photographs, and cemetery archives. Captain Belfield Woollcombe and his wife Frances are buried in Timaru Cemetery, along with their daughters, Katherine and Laura.
The enduring presence of the English trees at Ashbury Park is a living tribute to this remarkable family. Next time you walk beneath their shade, remember the legacy of the man who shaped Timaru’s early days.
Further Reading & Exploration:
- St Philip and All Saints history: stphilipallsaints.org.nz
- Archives of Captain Woollcombe’s correspondence: archway.archives.govt.nz
- Woollcombe family records: sites.rootsweb.com/woollcombe
- South Canterbury – A Record of Settlement by O.A. Gillespie (1958)
- Alexander Turnbull Library collection: natlib.govt.nz/woollcombe
Take a journey through time and explore the life of Captain Belfield Woollcombe and his extraordinary family—the pioneers who helped shape the Timaru we know today.
Flying the flag
Belfield Woollcombe was the Timaru Beach Master and Resident Magistrate, and wore several other official hats for the Provincial Government in the town during the 1850s and 60s. His roles necessitated much correspondence with Provincial officials in Christchurch and this colourful 1861 letter is just one example. Here he is informing the Provincial Secretary of the significance of the different flags flown at Timaru Harbour, so approaching ships would know what actions to take. The signal flags have been carefully drawn and painted, and the colours remain bright even after 157 years.
Archives New Zealand reference: CH287 - ICPS 1846/1861; R22190082
William Vance, Maori Park - Most Historic Place in Timaru (10 Jun 1967). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 22/11/2024, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/2085
Māori Park—Timaru’s Most Historic Place
By William Vance
Māori Park, a treasured part of Timaru, has long been the center of proposals threatening its open, natural beauty. Once envisioned as the site for a car park, technical college, or even motels, its preservation has often required vigilance from the community. Today, it serves as a swimming pool, yet its future remains uncertain.
The people of Timaru have repeatedly voiced their desire to keep Māori Park as a public space. This land was sold to Timaru with the understanding that it would remain for the enjoyment of all, not for exclusive or commercial use. It is akin to Timaru’s own Treaty of Waitangi—a promise we owe to the Māori people, from whom we have taken much but given little.
The park is not just a city council asset; it belongs to the people of Timaru. Council members are its trustees, but the community must have a say in its future. Let this article serve as an appeal to every resident to stand firm in protecting Māori Park as a public, windswept, and free space—a legacy for generations to come.
The History of Māori Park
Centuries before European settlement, Māori Park was home to Moa-hunter Māori. Evidence such as moa bones, flint tools, and cooking ovens reveals the site was an ideal location, offering rich resources from the nearby Dashing Rocks, beach, and Washdyke Lagoon. Later generations of Māori, including the Ngāi Tahu, continued to live here.
The Māori name for the area, Te Upoko a Te Rakai Tauwheke, honors a Ngāi Tahu chief who led his people to victory in tribal wars. Te Weka Street is an abbreviation of his name.
Virtue Avenue, now a street, was once a stream with a waterhole named Ponuiahine, shared by Māori and Pākehā. According to legend, Ponuiahine was named after a maiden from the Mangarara canoe who was turned into a rock for glimpsing a sacred dog without proper rituals.
The Arrival of Whalers
In 1848, whalers arrived and utilized Māori Park for their lookout station at Dashing Rocks. Te Rehu, a local chief, and his son Tarawhata cultivated vegetables for the whalers in Beverley Gully. Te Rehu was likely a descendant of the prominent Ngāi Tahu leader of the same name, who led the tribe’s migration into the South Island.
Bishop Selwyn, during his 1844 visit, described Māori Park as a raupō swamp with vast plains to the north and grass slopes leading to a deserted whaling station. Selwyn also recorded the first written description of Timaru and baptized a Māori child during his stay.
Land Sales and Reserves
Walter Mantell, Commissioner for the Extinguishment of Native Titles, arranged the sale of 30 million acres of Ngāi Tahu land for £5,000 in 1848. Though he later fought for fairer compensation, it was not until 1944 that Parliament provided some redress, granting £10,000 annually for 30 years to the Ngāi Tahu Trust Board.
Mantell laid out a 20-acre reserve at Māori Park, preserving its historical and practical significance to the Māori. However, the railway took four acres in 1875, leaving just 16. By 1926, the remaining land was sold to the city for £8,000. Had the land been retained, its value today would be immeasurably higher.
Timaru’s Need for Open Spaces
Timaru has always struggled with a lack of open reserves. Māori Park, Ashbury Park, and West End Park are rare exceptions. Unlike other cities with abundant green spaces—such as Christchurch’s Hagley Park or Dunedin’s Queen’s Gardens—Timaru lacks similar provisions near its center.
As the city grows, the importance of retaining open spaces like Māori Park becomes critical. It is the only hill-crest reserve offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and an invigorating escape from urban life.
A Call to Action
In New York’s Central Park, landscape experts rejected proposals to build structures, stating that parks should remain open and uncluttered. Timaru must adopt the same philosophy to preserve Māori Park.
Let us honor the legacy of those who came before us and safeguard Māori Park as a heritage for future generations—a place windswept, free, and untouched by unnecessary development.
Timaruvian, Nature's Gift to Timaru: Story of Caroline Bay (1950s?). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 22/11/2024, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/363
The Story of Caroline Bay and Timaru’s Harbour
By TIMAEUVIAN
Many years ago, when people from distant parts heard the name Timaru, they associated it with a remote, rural area. However, to outsiders, few realize that the popular watering place of Timaru is the result of what has often been described as the best artificial harbour in the Empire. This distinction was granted by visiting mariners.
It is difficult to determine just how much the harbour works have contributed to the erosion north of the Bay, but it is beyond dispute that Timaru’s prosperity—its reclamation of land and seaside resort—has been entirely due to the harbour walls. The average citizen is so accustomed to the port that they often take it for granted. However, it is important to reflect on what the harbour has meant to the town and the South Canterbury region. Had a government marine engineer’s initial advice been followed, and the early harbour works abandoned, Timaru might have remained a small town, with a population of only 5,000 or 6,000 people.
In addition to the savings for producers, the overall economic benefit to Timaru must run into millions. The growth and development of the town have been largely based on the harbour. As the city celebrates its progress, one of the significant chapters in its history is devoted to the development of the port. The available records are easily accessible and are often archived in the “Timaru Herald.”
The Erosion Problem
Erosion has been a recurring issue. The first organized effort to address this problem was led by David Stuart, who convinced the Harbour Board to undertake some levelling of the cliffs and provide timber for breastworks.
Before the harbour was planned, there were efforts to manage the coastline. The first major work began in 1858, when Captain John Stokes surveyed the area. He placed flags to mark the potential site for the harbour. Over the following years, the breakwater was established, though some of the earliest work was abandoned as the project evolved.
Borough Takes Charge
By the early 20th century, the Borough of Timaru took charge of maintaining the bay. During Mayor James Craigie’s term, a proposal for improvement was initiated. With a loan of £2,500, augmented by public subscriptions, the community began a progressive series of enhancements.
The Timaru Beautifying Society, which was established in 1881, played a crucial role in improving the area. Through their efforts, the area was transformed. The council and the association worked together to develop bathing sheds, a hall, tea rooms, caretaker cottages, hot-water baths, and a band rotunda. Tennis and basketball courts were also established, and there were proposals for a skating rink. Gardens and other amenities further added to the beauty and appeal of Caroline Bay, which soon became one of the most popular seaside resorts in the region.
The total amount spent on these developments reached approximately £50,000, but the returns have been significant. The foreshore is managed by the Harbour Board, while the Caroline Bay portion is leased to the Borough Council at a nominal rental.
The Fishing Ground
The bay also played a role in the region’s fishing industry. At one time, hand-trawling was a primary method for catching fish in the Bay. Many varieties of sea life were hauled onto the sands, including sharks, although these were often considered inedible. Over the years, the fishing grounds shifted as fishing trawlers began to operate further offshore, targeting species like groper.
Nature’s Gift to Timaru
The construction of the harbour and the associated development of Caroline Bay have been instrumental in shaping the region's history and prosperity. The foresight of early visionaries like David Stuart, who predicted the formation of a sandy beach and the growth of the area, has been realized. Today, Timaru’s harbour and its surrounding area are treasured by locals and visitors alike.
Ashbury Park Trees
Dreaming of his English “Ashbury”, Captain Woollcombe, a year before the arrival of the first immigrant ship strove to transform a maze of flax bushes, cabbage trees and raupo rushes into an English parkland. Ashbury Park is the long-distance result of this endeavour. There in quiet seclusion, grow Timaru’s most historic trees, for they were planted by his hand years before the Borough came into being. His first act was to plant an ash tree—that tree is still standing—then he planted the avenue of English trees that are there still and later planted a bluegum—now a magnificent speciman and the oldest gum tree in South Canterbury.
In the evening of a late autumn day in 1860 a travel-weary bride and her husband came to spend the night at Ashbury. Let that bride—Mrs Michael [Effie] Studholme—tell the story in her own words: “It was nearly dark when we arrived at Mr Woollcombe’s, at Waimataitai, where we were to stay the night. It was the 24th day of May—the Queen’s birthday. Mr Woollcombe and his cousin, Mr Bellfield, received us warmly and we spent a pleasant evening. Next morning we walked round the garden and admired the gum trees, then much thought of, as they were the only ones, excepting the native trees, in South Canterbury. Mr Woollcombe gave me a cutting of a jessamine that was growing luxuriously round his house.” That jessamine still flourishes in the Studholme homestead at Waimate while seedlings from the much admired gum trees at Ashbury were obtained by the Studholmes and those trees are still growing at Te Waimate. - Christopher Templeton
Ashbury Elm
TIMARU, Ashbury Park
Ashbury Oaks
Ashbury Park, Waimataitai Lagoon - Woolcombes Gully
Timaru from the Air when Waimataitai Creek still ran through what is today Ashbury Park. You can see how close the Caroline Bay Tea Rooms used to be to the sand. For many of the aerial photographs, while Doug Mill was piloting the plane his wife Audrey was leaning out of the open cockpit with a camera. Between 1927-1937. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections FDM-0690-G - Creative Commons Licence: Attribution CC BY
Matson Tree
TIMARU
Ashbury Park
Dedicated to the memory of the late W.M. Matson by the N.E. IMP, Assoc. Oct. 1922
Woolcombe Ash
TIMARU
Ashbury Park
On 8th July, 2010 the Woollcombe Ash tree was removed from Asbury Park. It was no longer structurally sound and children were playing in and around the tree. Recently the external circumference of the tree had decayed further so that it was only alive in two or three thin sections. It was the first ash tree planted in Timaru. A replacement ash is to be planted at the site.
Timaru Herald, 11 June 1914, Page 7 A FORTNIGHT'S JOURNEY.
CHRISTCHURCH TO TIMARU. In 1861 the late Captain Woollcombe brought his bride from Christchurch and the journey occupied a fortnight. Miss Woollcombe told a representative of the "Herald" some of the adventures they experienced, as she had heard the story from her mother. They set forth from Christchurch with a bullock dray, two bullock drivers, a dog cart towed behind the dray, and a dog. They had great trouble with the rivers, and the dog cart breaking its axle, had to be brought most of the way on the dray. The Geraldine Creek was to high for them to cross, and a stay of several days had. to be made with Mr Alfred Cox, of Raukapuka. When at last they reached their home at Waimataitai it was impossible to use the dog cart because the road from there to Timaru would not allow it to be used. Journeys to the settlement or to distant neighbours were not made then by the road so often as in a direct line "across country." When the Woollcombes' present house was being built, Bishop Harper had occasion to hold a meeting at Mr Herbert Belfield's house, on the adjoining hill, and the foundations of the Woollcombes' dwelling were taken to serve as chairs for the assemblage. Mr Belfield, who was afterwards proprietor of the "Herald," was the first milkman of Timaru, carrying the milk himself, so simple were the times, in two large vessels.
Death: WOOLLCOMBE - On July 22nd, at his residence, Ashbury, near Timaru, Captain Woollcombe, R.N.; aged 75 years.
Obituary page 3
Another old identity, Captain Belfield Woollcombe, passed away very suddenly on Tuesday night, being nearly seventy-six. He had been seized with a fatal stroke of apoplexy, or heart failure. Dr Hogg was sent for.
Captain Woollcombe was one of the oldest settlers in South Canterbury, he had been engaged in many public capacities. He was born 1st January 1816, in Pellerton (North Tawton), on the borders of Devon and Cornwall, of which his father, the Rev. Henry Woollcombe, was Rector. The family presently moved to High Hampton and Ashbury, after which latter place the deceased named his residence near Timaru. Losing his father when he was but two or three years old, the future naval officer and colonist was brought up by his grandmother Lady Louis, until he was thirteen, at which age he entered the Royal Navy, 26th Nov. 1829, as a midshipman on board the H.M.S. Thunderer, and his memory carried him back to the demonstrations on board, in 1830, while the vessel was in the West Indies, in respect for the death of George the Fourth, and the immediately succeeding demonstrations in honour of the accession of William the Fourth. Later he took part in the "Opium War" with China, of 1839-42, for his services he received a medal. Promoted to lieutenant 8th June, 1841. The later portion of his naval career, which closed in 1850, was spent as Staff Lieutenant at Plymouth, under his uncle Admiral Sir John Louis. After completing 21 years service Lieutenant Woollcombe retired from the Navy, with the service pension. Subsequently he was ranked as commander, and still later as Post-Captain. He came to New Zealand in 1852, and became a partner with Messrs Lee, Mallock and Lance (all well known names) on the "New Zealand Wool Growing Company" at Mount Parnassus, in the Nelson Province, just over the Canterbury boundary. In October, 1857, Lieut. Woollcombe came to Timaru, and buying a small section whereon he has since lived, he built himself a small whare, which still stands to attest the honesty and thoroughness of his handiwork. At the time of his arrival there were only one or two dwellings on the site of Timaru, occupied by the late Sam Williams and Captain Cain (if indeed the later had then come here.) The country was however being rapidly taken up as sheep runs, and there was a good deal of travelling to and fro, and already some wool to be shipped by whale boats of from the beach. Lieut. Woollcombe was appointed Government Agent at Timaru, a multifarious office, which he held for some years and which required him to be by turns Resident Magistrate, Immigration Agent, Post-Master, Customs Officer, Harbourmaster, Beachmaster, Pilot, Register of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, and Health Officer. His naval experience was brought into play in the survey of the Timaru harbour, which is often appealed to as a standard survey. When the town and district increased in population these duties were divided among other officers. Lieut. Woollcombe retaining the post of Resident magistrate, adding to it that of returning Officer. He held the Resident Magistrateship till September 1878, when he relinquished it and was succeeded by Mr Richmond Beetham. Since then he has frequently sat on the Bench as a Justice of the Peace. Captain Woollcombe has always taken a keen interest in the harbour question, and lately had been a useful member of the harbour board. In every aspect he was the father of Timaru. Beside his official duties his work as a member of the Anglican congregation deserves special attention. He has not only been a pillar of the church; he was the architect of the first church of St Mary, and did a good deal of work upon it with his own hands, and the energy and Christian zeal thus displayed at the outset has been maintained to the last, he having been the Incumbent's Churchwarden for many years. In December 1878 on leaving the Bench, he entered into partnership with Mr George Clulee, and up to the very day of his death took an active share on the work of the well-known firm.
The deceased married a daughter of the Rev Mr Fendall, of Fendalltown, near Christchurch, and leaves to mourn for him, besides the widow (who is unfortunately an invalid) one son and five daughters. The son is in the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. in Sydney the eldest daughter is married to Mr Bradshaw, of the Hook, and the other three daughters are at home. The funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon, at an hour to be advertised tomorrow.
Timaru Herald Friday July 24th 1891 Funeral Notice
The friends of the late Capt. Woollcombe, R.N., are respectfully informed that his Funeral will leave his late Residence, Ashbury, Waimataitai, near Timaru, on Saturday, the 25th instant, at 2 p.m. arriving at St. Mary's Church at about 2.30 p.m. J.E. Beckingham, Undertaker
Timaru Herald Monday July 27 1891
The funeral of the late Captain Woollcombe took place on Saturday afternoon, and was largely attended. The coffin was first taken to St. Mary's Church where the funeral service was performed by the Ven. Archdeacon Harper, and then, about 3 p.m. the cortege started for the cemetery. The hearse was followed by two close carriages, and an open one containing the members of the Vestry of St. Mary's, then came about 50 persons on foot, most of them very old residents of Timaru and districts, and following them about a score of vehicles, containing the townsmen and persons from the country districts. Several business people in Stafford street put up their shutters, expecting the cortege would go along the main thoroughfare, but it was taken by Sophia and Barnard streets to Shepherd's corner.
Timaru Herald July 27th 1891
Correction. The partners in the 'New Zealand Wool Growing Company' at Hawkswood (an adjoining property to Mount Parnassus) were Messrs Woollcombe, Stewart Wortley and Thomas Hanmer. They sold out to Mr J.S. Caverhill, and the present owner of the property is Mr John Mcfarlane. The original owners of Mount Parnaasus were Messrs Edward Lee and Edward Jollie.
P.B. Boulton, Christchurch, 24th July, 1891.
Woolcombe Wych
TIMARU
Ashbury Park
Planted in memory of Captain Woolcombe who used to own the Ashbury property
The tree under which the WOOLLCOMBE memorial lies is a horizontal Elm - Ulmus Glabra 'Horizontalis'. It is just inside gate of Evans street.
The Wych Elm cultivar Ulmus glabra 'Horizontalis', commonly known as the Weeping Wych Elm or Horizontal Elm, was discovered in a Perth nursery circa 1816. The tree was originally identified as 'Pendula' by Loddiges (London), in his catalogue of 1836, a name adopted by Loudon two years later in Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum, 3: 1398, 1838, but later sunk as a synonym for 'Horizontalis'.
- https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nzlscant/woollcombe.htm
2022 Ashbury Park - Woolcombe Wych - Roselyn Fauth
