89-732: Eden Garden is a garden in Mt Eden , Auckland set in 2 hectares of former quarry land. It was established in 1964 and is open to the public for an admission fee. Eden Garden was donated to the people of New Zealand in 1965 and is managed by The Eden Garden Society, Inc., a not-for-profit society. The garden's many collections of plants include what is reputed to be the largest collection of camellias in New Zealand, vireyas (tropical rhododendrons ) some of which are always in bloom, Japanese maples , magnolias , hibiscus , bromeliads , native trees, interesting rock formations, waterfalls, and
178-411: A Brackenbury Natural Science Scholarship by Balliol College , he matriculated at Oxford on 20 October 1874, aged 17. Studying under Robert Clifton (physics), Henry Smith (mathematics), Joseph Prestwich (geology), Walter Fisher (chemistry), Henry Acland (human anatomy) and George Rolleston (biology), he obtained a second in mathematical honour moderations in 1876 and a first in natural sciences in
267-546: A New Zealander. Pallbearers at his funeral included the Hon Peter Fraser , minister of education and later prime minister in the first Labour administration. The Austrian naturalist and explorer Andreas Reischek named New Zealand's westernmost lake in Fiordland (45°59'14.3"S 166°30'09.8"E) after Thomas in 1887. Following his death, the executors of his estate gifted 100 acres (42 hectares) of land at Piha to
356-699: A campus in Epsom, which was previously the Auckland College of Education . There are three War Memorials in the Mount Eden area; Mount Eden Prison was built in a castle style between 1882 and 1917. It is constructed out of the local basalt rock, one of the very few buildings built in this uncompromising material. Built with prison labour it was designed by P.F.M. Burrows and is similar in appearance to Dartmoor Prison in England. Ballantyne Square
445-498: A development of his interest in applied botany, Thomas also became interested in the hybridisation of daffodils for which he gained both local and international recognition. From the time of his arrival in Auckland, Thomas evinced a particular interest in educational issues outside of his college responsibilities. He was keenly interested in technical education matters, notably agricultural science. In 1888 he addressed these issue in
534-682: A fellow of the Linnean Society of London (FLS, 1882), Thomas was a fellow of the Geological Society (FGS, 1888), a fellow of the New Zealand Institute (1905), and after its transmogrification from an Institute into a royal society, an original fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand , (FRSNZ, 1919) and an honorary fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture (1936). Following his resignation from
623-556: A fellow of the Linnean Society of London in 1882. Notwithstanding his father's relative wealth, his academic success and the overt support of Acland and the master of Balliol, Benjamin Jowett, Thomas was unclear as to where he might gain more remunerative employment subsequent to his appointment to the museum. In October 1882, following a number of disappointments, he applied successfully for the professorship of natural science at
712-429: A garden that with its winding paths, lookouts and naturalistic arrangement, while echoing the form and structure of gardens he had observed in southern Italy during his 1879 visit, was planted primarily with New Zealand flora. It seems probable that this was among the first Pākehā gardens to employ indigenous flora as the dominant feature of a horticultural landscape. Thomas' initiative in reintroducing indigenous planting
801-421: A general knowledge of British geology was useful for New Zealand students of the subject, the focus should be on the geology of their own country. Thomas' recognition of the unique qualities of New Zealand biota paved the way for his advocacy of environmental conservation measures; while far from being the first to propose the preservation of the country's indigenous fauna and flora, his methodological approach laid
890-666: A hostel), Alfred Buckland's "Highwic" (now a museum), the Hellaby family's "Florence Court", Josiah Clifton Firth's "Clifton House" (both still private residences) and Professor Sir Algernon Thomas ' "Trewithiel" (the garden is partially preserved in Withiel Thomas Reserve and the reduced house at 114 Mountain Road). Close by the current Government House (the official Auckland residence of the Governor General )
979-445: A new department encompassing geology, botany and zoology in - to quote Beatrice Webb - 'quaint ramshackle wooden buildings', Thomas was also required to teach mathematics following the drowning of George Walker, the professor of mathematics. Not only was Auckland the physical and intellectual antithesis of Oxford but there was also considerable antagonism to the very existence of the college among Auckland's dominant commercial class with
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#17327754894051068-444: A population density of 3,992 people per km . Before the 2023 census, Mount Eden had a larger boundary, covering 3.99 km (1.54 sq mi). Using that boundary, Mount Eden had a population of 14,697 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 819 people (5.9%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 579 people (4.1%) since the 2006 census . There were 4,959 households, comprising 7,587 males and 7,104 females, giving
1157-405: A precursor botanical garden of indigenous flora. This engagement with applied science prompted an interest in horticulture and in 1890 he acquired a denuded ten acre (4 hectares) section in the Auckland suburb of Epsom which he and his wife Emily developed into an extensive garden while retaining its key geological feature, a remnant lava field of the nearby Maungawhau volcanic cone. Thomas designed
1246-500: A private asylum in Dunedin. She remained there until March 1950 when she was transferred to Kingseat Hospital near Auckland, shortly before her death. Thomas, a lifelong cigarette smoker, died suddenly in Auckland on 28 December 1937. The Thomases had four children: three sons, Acland Withiel (1888–1962), Norman Russell Withiel (1891–1969), Arthur Edward Withiel (1904–1992); and a daughter, Mary Wynfrida Withiel (1893–1974). Besides being
1335-655: A scientific advisory body modelled on the British Department of Scientific and Industrial Research failed due to the absence of any significant political support. It was only with the visit in 1926 of Frank Heath, permanent secretary of the British DSIR, along with a decision by the British Empire Marketing Board to fund agricultural research in New Zealand, that a body to advise on the promotion of science in industry, also known as
1424-500: A series of provocative lectures and articles published in newspapers throughout the country in which he argued that given its dependence on mining and agriculture, New Zealand could only benefit from the proper teaching of agricultural botany and chemistry at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. His articles in the New Zealand Herald suggest both an awareness of the work of Arthur Acland 's educational reform lobby group,
1513-478: A sex ratio of 1.07 males per female, with 2,109 people (14.3%) aged under 15 years, 4,098 (27.9%) aged 15 to 29, 7,170 (48.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,326 (9.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 69.3% European/ Pākehā , 7.8% Māori , 5.3% Pacific peoples , 23.9% Asian , and 3.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 38.8, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer
1602-418: A sort of unkempt inferior race which it is the privilege and duty of them – the learned men – to make stepping stones of.' For their part, Parker, Thomas and Brown were not so much keen to step on 'colonials', but rather unimpressed by the descriptive, unanalytical, nature of the prevailing scientific methodology and sceptical of the rigour of its practitioners, many of them self-trained. Hector's animus against
1691-621: A spectacular perennial garden. In recent years the annual spring Eden Garden Tulip Festival , held over a weekend in late August/early September at least since 2011, has been one of the biggest and best in Auckland. There is always something of interest in bloom. This little oasis close to the heart of Auckland city is described by New Zealand's bestgardening.com website as "one of the loveliest and most tranquil inner city gardens around." 36°52′36″S 174°46′03″E / 36.8768°S 174.7675°E / -36.8768; 174.7675 Mt Eden Mount Eden ( Māori : Maungawhau )
1780-499: A teaching programme best suited to the needs of his students. It also opened up an informal network of local scientific researchers; he became particularly close to Parker with whom he initiated a research project focussing on the embryology of the Tuatara ( Sphenodon punctatus ). While Thomas had good relations with his peers, his connection with the New Zealand scientific establishment, as embodied by James Hector , director of both
1869-510: A villa at Narrow Neck on Auckland's North Shore. On 19 November 1887 he married Emily Sarah Nolan Russell (1867–1950), the third of six daughters of Mary Ann Nolan (1834–1931) and her husband John Benjamin Russell (1834–1894), an Auckland solicitor. The Russells were a well-connected Auckland family: J B Russell's practice, Russell & Campbell, was – and, as Russell McVeagh , remains – one of Auckland's leading legal firms; his eldest brother
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#17327754894051958-461: Is Eden Garden , a ornamental public garden set up in a disused quarry. In the 1950s and 1960s the inner suburbs became unfashionable and the old houses of the Mt Eden area were comparatively cheap to buy. Mt Eden developed a slightly bohemian image during this time as a community of artists, writers, teachers and university lecturers made it their home. Mt Eden village is still regarded by many as
2047-409: Is a green space located at the corner of Dominion Road and Ewington Ave. The square provides a respite from surrounding urban activity and is distinguished by its large specimen trees. Ballantyne Square was named after the late Doreen Ballantyne, who was a local councillor from 1965 to 1976. Bellevue Reserve is a recreational space that has a playground and picnic tables. Originally Bellevue Square
2136-689: Is a part of the Western Line ; trains run regularly into the city and the western suburbs beyond. The centre of all the shopping and business activities in Mt Eden village is Mt Eden Road, between Oaklands Road and Grange Road. By vehicle Mt Eden can be accessed from the Southern Motorway (SH1) by taking the Green Lane off-ramp, and continuing onto Balmoral Road or from the City end – via Symonds Street and Mt Eden Road. Mount Eden domain
2225-586: Is a suburb in Auckland , New Zealand whose name honours George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland . It is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of the Central Business District (CBD). Mt Eden Road winds its way around the side of Mount Eden Domain and continues to weave back and forth as it descends into the valley; it runs south from Eden Terrace to Three Kings . Mt Eden village centre is located roughly between Valley Road and Grange Road. The domain
2314-423: Is accessible on foot from many of the surrounding streets, and by vehicle from Mt Eden Road. The central focus of the suburb is Maungawhau / Mount Eden , a dormant volcano whose summit is the highest natural point on the Auckland isthmus . In pre-European times Mount Eden was utilised as a fortified hill pā by various Māori tribes. The pā is thought to have been abandoned around 1700 AD after conflict between
2403-464: Is located just north of the village centre along Mt Eden Road. Algernon Thomas Sir Algernon Phillips Withiel Thomas KCMG (3 June 1857 – 28 December 1937) was a New Zealand university professor, geologist, biologist and educationalist. He was born in Birkenhead , Cheshire, England in 1857 and died in Auckland, New Zealand in 1937. He is best known for his early research (1880–83) into
2492-467: Is now a "leafy suburb" consisting predominantly of large houses from the first half of the 20th century, many with verdant gardens and large trees. In the 19th century, on the eastern slopes of Mt Eden were constructed several large country houses set in extensive grounds. These included "Harewood House" (since demolished and now the site of the Mater Hospital), Justice Gillies "Rocklands Hall" (now
2581-497: Is on the fact that our professors have thoroughly caught the temper of the times, and have brought themselves in touch with the onward spirit of colonial life, that the best hopes are based that our University institutions will prove to be the most influential and valuable of our educational agencies.' He also initiated a series of lectures on agricultural science at the AUC specifically aimed at teachers and farmers. For some years after, in
2670-525: The Auckland Chamber of Commerce calling for its funding to be diverted to more profitable purposes on the grounds that 'a University is for the few and that consequently its usefulness is circumscribed.' Aside from having to lecture and research, the scientific professorial staff were also required to locate suitable premises, assemble books, specimen, apparatus and teaching materials, establish laboratories, undertake fieldwork and, notwithstanding
2759-665: The Colonial Museum and the New Zealand Geological Survey, manager of the New Zealand Institute and editor of its Transactions , was less congenial. Hector seems to have avoided meeting Thomas during his first visit to Wellington, leaving Thomas to observe merely that the Colonial Museum was 'old-fashioned' in appearance. The influential Hector, a medical doctor by training, distrusted university-trained natural scientists recently arrived from
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2848-484: The Royal Agricultural Society to investigate the sheep liver fluke ( Fasciola hepatica ), a parasite flatworm that in the winter of 1879–80 had caused the loss of some three million sheep in England. Thomas' preliminary results, which, critically, established the basic life cycle of the parasite, were published in 1881 and 1882, with his analysis and conclusions appearing in 1883. He was elected
2937-722: The SS Orient . Transferring to the SS Rotomahana in Melbourne, they arrived in Auckland on 1 May 1883 to find that, contrary to what Thomas had been led to believe at his interview, facilities were somewhat less than rudimentary. Until 1885 when Parliament passed the Auckland University College Reserves Act, AUC was the only university college in New Zealand without either an endowment or a dedicated campus. As well as having to establish
3026-475: The University Museum, Oxford , in succession to Edward Bagnall Poulton . His responsibilities included practical teaching of microscopic preparations, dissecting and practical classes in embryology as well as lecturing; his pupils included Frank Beddard (1858–1925) and Halford Mackinder (1861–1947). Under Rolleston's somewhat erratic supervision – his health was failing – Thomas was commissioned by
3115-455: The "Home Of Arts" in Auckland, due to the large amount of creative activity in and around the suburb and the large number of artists who live nearby. The Presbyterian Boys' Hostel at 22 View Road is a historic building that became the first home for many young men, who moved to Auckland to train in government and industry at low rates of pay. In Mt Eden, the plentiful supply of volcanic stone (a suitable material for building roads), as well as
3204-444: The 19th century, the planning and maintenance of the main arterial roads (Mt Eden Road and Dominion Road) provided the impetus to form local governing bodies in the area. The Mt Eden Highway Board held its first meeting in 1868; it covered the area of Mt Eden, Eden Valley, Sandringham, and Balmoral. At the time, it was responsible for building and maintaining the roads and dealing with the pigs, horses, cattle, and sheep that freely roamed
3293-487: The Advancement of Science, seconded by G M Thomson, encouraging the preservation of the native fauna and flora of New Zealand. His motion declared the need for 'the formation of one or more Reserves where the fauna (and also the flora) could be protected from the destruction which, it is well known, is overtaking so many of the rare and more interesting species'. After considerable legislative inertia, his lobbying led to
3382-577: The Auckland City Council to acquire the region as a scenic reserve. He was supporter and later chairman of the Auckland Scenery Preservation Society (1899), one of the earliest conservation pressure groups in the country. On taking up his appointment at AUC, Thomas initiated a scheme where, in the absence of any such facility in Auckland, the college grounds – such as they were – would be developed as
3471-481: The Auckland City Council; this was supplemented in 1963 by the gift of Lion Rock (Te Piha), an eroded 16-million-year-old volcanic neck, that was acquired by two of his sons, Acland and Norman, from Te Kawerau in 1941. These gifts were commemorated in 2008 with the naming of a part of the gift as the Sir Algernon Thomas Green. In 1968, largely on the initiative of Sir Douglas Robb , chancellor of
3560-803: The Auckland Grammar School Board, Thomas played a highly visible role in the activities of the schools until his death. He was a vice-chairman of the Dilworth Trust Board, the body responsible for Dilworth School , between 1906 and 1937 and a member of the Auckland Teachers' Training College Committee of Advice between 1906 and 1914. Thomas was a member of the Senate of the University of New Zealand between 1899 and 1903 and, again, between 1921 and 1933. He
3649-599: The Australasian colonies to recognise their public role noting that 'It is over 30 years since Darwin pointed out how important and intimate were the relations of living beings to their environment. His teaching infused new life into the study of Biology but the enthusiasm does not seem to have extended to museums. One would think that the Origin of Species had never entered the doors of a museum. Most museums seem to be arranged chiefly, though most inadequately, with regard to
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3738-685: The DSIR, was formed. Notwithstanding the suggestion of Francis Dillon Bell , the New Zealand Agent General in London 'that a Mrs Professor would be a very great addition to the colony', Thomas arrived in New Zealand a bachelor although there are indications he had an unsuccessful shipboard romance on the outward voyage. He was accompanied by his younger sister Lucie Vernon Thomas (1862–1932) who would act as his hostess and housekeeper until February 1885. Soon after his arrival, he purchased
3827-1093: The Manchester practice Thomas, Wade, Guthrie & Co. Both his parents came from Redruth in Cornwall. His elder brother Ernest Chester Thomas , (1850–1892), a Gray's Inn barrister by profession, obtained early recognition as Librarian of the Oxford Union (1874) and, subsequently, for his work as secretary of the Library Association of the United Kingdom (1878–1890) and for his 1888 edition of The philobiblon of Richard de Bury . Two of his elder sisters, Clara Irene Thomas (1852–1919) and Lilias Landon Thomas (1854–1929), actively promoted secondary education for women, notably as foundation headmistresses respectively of Sydenham High School (1887) and Edgbaston Church of England College for Girls (1886). In 1861, Thomas' family moved to Manchester where he
3916-630: The National Association for the Promotion of Technical and Secondary Education and a recognition that this work had significant relevance to New Zealand. The association was an Oxford creation – Acland himself was an honorary fellow of Balliol College – and many of those involved with it had served as lecturers with the university extension programme at Toynbee Hall in London's East End. In a statement that retains contemporary significance, Thomas opined that 'The true way ... to protect
4005-405: The University of Auckland, the university's new biological sciences building was named in his honour. Following the subdivision of his garden, a road formed through the property (primarily through what had been his 'cow paddock') was named Withiel Drive in his memory, as was a 0.7-hectare (1.7-acre) reserve donated to the Auckland City Council in 1949 by his son Norman, which was based on a remnant of
4094-409: The University of New Zealand became official in 1923. Thomas's educational concerns prompted his election by the Senate of the University of New Zealand to the Auckland Grammar School Board in 1899, chaired by George Maurice O'Rourke who was also chairman of the AUC council. He was immediately elected vice-chairman and, in 1916, chairman in which position he served until his death in 1937 making him
4183-491: The Wairarapa district and the life history of flounder to analyses of water quality in Auckland. In a discussion of Thomas' report on the rabbit control problem, Paul Star notes that while he 'did not find a satisfactory disease, ... the publication of his reports introduced many colonists to a scientific approach'. Thomas' lack of specialisation has led some New Zealand historians, such as Keith Sinclair, to assert that he
4272-430: The absence of any official activity, he provided advice and delivered lectures on agricultural matters to a wide range of agricultural organisations throughout the country. Thomas, along with Brown, was also behind an ultimately successful move to establish a school of mines at AUC in 1906. By 1910 the AUC school had morphed into what Sinclair describes as 'a covert School of Engineering', a move that despite opposition from
4361-491: The absence of any support staff, administer their departments. Thomas was also elected chair of the Professorial Board and in that capacity delivered the inaugural address at the opening of AUC on 21 May 1883. In addition, there was an expectation that they would also examine secondary students, give public lectures, provide reports on scientific matters to various branches of government and be active participants in
4450-578: The academic scientists is suggested by his failure to publish many of the papers submitted to him in his capacity as editor of the Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute . These tensions coalesced in June 1886 when the largest volcanic event in modern New Zealand history occurred at Mount Tarawera , 24 kilometres south east of Rotorua in the North Island. Following the eruption,
4539-814: The area. In 1882 it became the Mt Eden Road Board. In 1906 Mt Eden gained borough status and the Mt Eden Borough Council was formed. In 1989 the Borough Council amalgamated with Auckland City Council in a nationwide local government reorganisation. And in November 2010, the City Council was dissolved and was incorporated into the new larger Auckland Council . Mount Eden covers 3.92 km (1.51 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 15,650 as of June 2024, with
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#17327754894054628-479: The census's question about religious affiliation, 54.7% had no religion, 29.5% were Christian , 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs , 4.6% were Hindu , 1.3% were Muslim , 1.8% were Buddhist and 2.9% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 6,048 (48.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 795 (6.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 3,462 people (27.5%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
4717-536: The chair of biology and geology at Auckland University College in 1913 he was made professor emeritus by the college senate. He was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935. In the 1937 George VI Coronation Honours Thomas was made Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) for services to education, a then extraordinary distinction for
4806-621: The city's intellectual life. Thomas joined the Auckland Institute and Museum in June 1883, and was elected to its council in 1884 and its presidency in 1886, a position he held again in 1895 and between 1903 and 1905. In his first year of membership he delivered two lectures at the Institute: 'Remarks on specimens from the Naples Zoological Station' and 'Remarks on Mr Caldwell's researches on the development of
4895-468: The development of an understanding of New Zealand's natural environment based on scientific method rather than on the fragmented observation of phenomena. Moreover, Thomas was not averse to criticising the focus of the British-set examinations conducted under the aegis of the University of New Zealand, arguing for example with A H Green, Prestwich's successor as professor of geology at Oxford, that while
4984-470: The formation of a conservation reserve on Hauturu-o-Toi (Little Barrier Island) in October 1894 'as a reserve for birds in time of peace, and for defence purposes in time of fighting'. In April 1894, emboldened by the success of this move, he advocated the preservation of the native flora and fauna of the nearby Waitākere Ranges and subsequently was the chief speaker in a delegation that sought to persuade
5073-618: The foundation for more scientific assessments of what had hitherto been proposed for preservation on the basis of 'natural curiosities'. As early as 1886 he was among those arguing at the Auckland Institute the necessity of introducing measures to conserve the rapidly diminishing indigenous bird population. In 1891, Thomas moved a resolution at the Christchurch meeting of the Australasian Association for
5162-500: The government commissioned Hector to provide a scientific report on the occurrence and its consequences. Undertaking a fleeting visit around the site he produced a report arguing that the eruption was, essentially, non-volcanic and of little scientific interest. As R F Keam remarks, 'No geologist today would accept Hector's model of the occurrence' and, even then, the deficiencies of the Hector report aroused criticism. In an effort to defuse
5251-597: The government intended that the board's primary function was to manage the Dominion (formerly Colonial) Museum and to publish scientific journals and reports, but its members appear to have had greater ambitions. Along with six others, Thomas was appointed to the board by an Order in Council in 1915. He appears to have played a significant role in galvanising its activities, notably in calling for 'a central advisory board' for science and industry. But early moves to establish
5340-534: The honour finals in 1877, taking his BA in 1878. In 1879 he was awarded a Burdett-Coutts scholarship in geology, undertaking post-graduate study in Italy ( Stazione Zoologica , Naples), France, Switzerland and Germany ( Philipps-Universität Marburg ). He took his MA in 1881. In late 1879, Rolleston, the Linacre professor of anatomy and physiology, appointed Thomas junior demonstrator in human and comparative anatomy at
5429-489: The interests of the working classes is to afford them opportunities of acquiring such knowledge and skill as will enable them to hold their own in competition with the rest of the world.' Perhaps surprisingly given its conservative ideology, the Herald editorialised its support for Thomas' progressive proposals, observing that 'Professor Thomas is distinctly of the present and of the future, as indeed his colleagues are, and it
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#17327754894055518-553: The last time in the 1950s. Mt Eden falls within the Epsom constituencies for the national Parliament . In terms of local government, Mt Eden comes under the Albert-Eden Local Board , of Auckland Council . The Albert-Eden Local Board includes the suburbs of Waterview , Point Chevalier , Sandringham , Mount Albert , Morningside , Ōwairaka , Balmoral , Kingsland , Mt Eden, Epsom and Greenlane . During
5607-424: The late 1800s. In 1873 Alfred Cucksey established a store in what would later become Mount Eden Village. The Colonial Ammunition Company , first formed in 1885, was based at Mount Eden. The steel Mount Eden Shot Tower , completed in 1914, was the major supplier of ammunition in New Zealand until World War II , and was classified as a Category I heritage building by Heritage New Zealand in 1983. Mount Eden
5696-413: The late 1870s and early 1880s with horse-drawn buses being the first mode of regular public transportation in the late 1870s. In 1881, the long-awaited railway came, connecting Newmarket with Helensville with stops in Mt Eden, Kingsland, Morningside and Mt Albert. At the beginning of the 20th century, trams began connecting Mt. Eden, Balmoral, Kingsland, and Mt Albert with the city. The trams ran for
5785-580: The life cycle of the sheep liver fluke ( Fasciola hepatica ), a discovery he shared with the German zoologist Rudolf Leuckart , his report on the eruption of Tarawera (1888) and his contribution to the development of New Zealand pedagogy. Thomas was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, on 3 June 1857, the sixth child and second son of Edith Withiell Phillips (1826–1909) and her husband John Withiell Thomas (1823–1909), an accountant and, later, senior partner in
5874-507: The local condition and emphasised fieldwork. His early students effectively developed those areas in which he had undertaken preliminary research. Thomas appears to have been an inspiring teacher. Alan Mason notes with respect to his teaching of geology that he was responsible 'for an explosion of talent, noting that, nationally, of the six senior scholars in geology between 1894 and 1903, five of them were from Auckland. Moreover, 'the Auckland achievement becomes even greater when we realise that of
5963-589: The lower mammals of Australia' and for the next decade he continued to deliver up to three lectures a year. Subsequently, he was appointed chairman of the Trustees of the Museum and, in that position, played a significant role both in establishing the museum's scientific reputation and in ensuring it was suitably housed and maintained. In the summer vacation following his arrival, between January and March 1884, Thomas travelled throughout New Zealand meeting colleagues at
6052-558: The matter William Lanarch, the minister of mines, commissioned Hutton, Thomas and Brown to further report on the eruption. While Hutton evinced a degree of impatience in promulgating his opinion, Thomas was more circumspect and thorough in his fieldwork and his report, published two years later and separately from that of Hutton, was, in Keam's opinion, 'the polished product of meticulous research'; he further notes that 'Thomas would have been glad that he had distanced himself from Hutton's ideas on
6141-421: The matter'. Notwithstanding the topicality of and his interest in geological matters, the wide scope of Thomas's academic responsibilities made it impossible for him to specialise. Almost immediately after his arrival he was requested by both colonial and municipal authorities to undertake investigations into a diverse range of biological and geological subjects ranging from parasitic diseases affecting rabbits in
6230-477: The metropolis, such as Thomas and Parker. It was a view shared by James McKerrow , the surveyor general and a protégé of Hector's, who observed of Thomas and his colleague Frederick Douglas Brown , the professor of chemistry at AUC, that 'They are I fancy like some other learned men I have seen from Home, who have to unlearn a good deal after they come to the colony, and get quit of a deal of self-complacency. A very common notion of new arrivals, is, that Colonials are
6319-510: The opportunity it provided to develop the Grammar Schools as intellectual powerhouses. Under Thomas' dominant influence the Board expanded the number of schools under its control from one, housed on an inadequate inner-city site, to five, all housed in new, well-equipped premises: Auckland Girls' Grammar School (1909); Auckland Grammar School (1915); Epsom Girls' Grammar School (1917); Mt Albert Grammar School (1922); and Takapuna Grammar School (1927). In contrast to his successors as chair of
6408-529: The other two university establishments, notably Thomas Jeffery Parker (1850–1897), professor of biology and curator of the University Museum at the University of Otago and Frederick Hutton (1836–1905), professor of biology at Canterbury University College . The visit both enabled him to assess the status of science in the country and provided him with the empirical basis on which he developed
6497-471: The ready supply of labourers from the Mt Eden Prison , allowed for a progressive development of early roads, many of which still exist today as main arterial routes. Toll gates were established on several main roads, including Mt Eden Road and Dominion Road, during the 19th century in order to help pay for their upkeep. Public transportation extended from the inner city to the surrounding areas in
6586-627: The resident Waiohua people and the Hauraki tribes The earth ramparts and terraces from this period contribute to the distinctive outline of the hill today. Following a gift of land from Ngati Whatua Orakei Mount Eden began being subdivided and sold off to settlers in 1841. The land was mostly used for farming to support the Borough of Auckland . Due to population growth in Auckland Mount Eden would start having suburban development in
6675-509: The second longest-serving chairman in Auckland Grammar’s history. Thomas' chairmanship of the board coincided with the last six years of James Tibbs ' long period as headmaster of Auckland Grammar School. The younger Thomas had been a contemporary of Tibbs at Oxford and, given that both took mathematics honours, they were probably acquainted. But where Tibbs chafed under the provisions of the 1914 Education Act, Thomas seems to have relished
6764-642: The soon-to-be-formed Auckland University College (AUC), a constituent college of the University of New Zealand . Selected on the recommendations of Thomas Huxley and Archibald Geikie , he delivered his first professorial lecture, 'a special discourse "On the Liver-parasite in Sheep"' alongside Acland at the University of Oxford in February 1883. Thomas, accompanied by his younger sister Lucie Vernon Thomas (1862-1932), departed from London on 8 March 1883 on
6853-1025: The three colleges in existence ... the Auckland college was the smallest and the poorest. The success came from a student base of less than forty i.e. an average of four first year students entering the department each year. Furthermore, in contrast to his southern counterparts, Thomas was the sole teacher of botany, zoology and geology.' Thomas's success as a teacher was not restricted to geology. His zoology students included Richard William Allen, MA (1899), Wooldridge Memorial Scholar in Physiology (1902) at Guy's Hospital, gold medalist material medica, University of London (1902), Gull student in pathology (1904), MB BS University of London (1905), who became 'a brilliant Harley Street specialist' and author of Vaccine therapy; its theory and practice (1910). In botany, John Ernest Holloway FRS, MSc (1905), DSc (1917) developed and extended Thomas's initial investigation into primitive ferns; and Kathleen Maisey Curtis , BA (1913)
6942-555: The training of teachers. Ficino School is a coeducational full primary private school (years 1–8) with a roll of 152. Eden Campus is a Teen Parent Unit which provides secondary education to mothers and early childhood education to their children. It is associated with Auckland Girls' Grammar School . Rolls are as of August 2024. There are several prestigious secondary schools located in Epsom, adjacent to Mt Eden, including St Peter's College , Epsom Girls Grammar School and Auckland Grammar School . The University of Auckland also has
7031-532: The university; between 1883 and 1903 he published thirteen scientific papers ranging in scope from observations on volcanic rocks of the Taupo district, notes on Tuatara embryology and an account of the prothallium of Phylloglossum . Although not present for the preliminary meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) held in Sydney in November 1886 he was a foundation member and in 1888
7120-426: The wants of the specialist, and the general public are scarcely thought of. It was, effectively, a statement of what Thomas hoped to achieve in his work in New Zealand. Thomas' primary focus at AUC was on teaching and his research clearly informed his pedagogy. While University of New Zealand degrees were initially set and examined in the United Kingdom, he developed courses in both biology and geology that focussed on
7209-639: Was also a member of the AUC council between 1919 and 1925. He was the Bishop of Waiapu 's nominated member of the St John's Theological College Board of Governors between 1910 and 1911. In October 1913, a newly elected Reform government introduced legislation into the New Zealand Parliament creating a governmental scientific advisory body, the Board of Science and Art. Ross Galbreath asserts that
7298-480: Was educated privately before being sent as a boarder to Ockbrook School in Derby. He subsequently followed his brother to Manchester Grammar School . Inclined to scientific studies from an early age, Thomas profited from his attendance at Manchester Grammar during the regime of its reforming high master, Frederick Walker who had a reputation for ensuring that his pupils achieved the highest academic distinctions. Awarded
7387-511: Was elected an ordinary member of the Association's ruling body and, with Parker, Honorary Local Secretary for New Zealand. At the AAAS conference held in Melbourne in 1890 he presided over the biological section, delivering an address lamenting the deficient state of scientific pedagogy, particularly at secondary level, the need for public scientific research and the failure of museums in some of
7476-435: Was emulated by a number of his neighbours, such as the surgeon Sir Carrick Robertson and the businessman Sir William Goodfellow , and encouraged the preservation of the remnant [[Almorah Rock Forest ]], named for a nearby street. Thomas was also responsible for designing the grounds of the nearby Auckland Grammar School (1916) and, most probably, was involved in the design of the grounds of Auckland's other grammar schools. As
7565-528: Was not a researcher of any significance. Much of this argument is anachronistic and demonstrates a failure either to comprehend the aims, purpose and function of applied scientific research at the end of the nineteenth century or to understand the circumstances under which Thomas would have been able to research at the level he had become accustomed to in Europe. Nonetheless, Thomas did produce significant research outputs, particularly during his first two decades at
7654-473: Was that 7,098 (56.4%) people were employed full-time, 1,902 (15.1%) were part-time, and 486 (3.9%) were unemployed. Auckland Normal Intermediate is a coeducational intermediate school (years 7–8) with a roll of 717. Mount Eden Normal School is a coeducational contributing primary school (years 1–6) with a roll of 612. The term "Normal" comes from the French term ecole normale and means these schools assist in
7743-930: Was the first New Zealand woman to win an 1851 Scholarship for study at the University of London where she was awarded a DSc in 1919. A mycologist at the Cawthorn Institute in Nelson, she was the first female fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Other students who distinguishing themselves included Elsie Mary Griffin , MA (1906), subsequently a key figure in the YWCA in both New Zealand and Australia. Writing to Thomas in 1912, Griffin observed that while he might think her 'a horrid "suffragette"' indulging in 'all kinds of bold & "unwomanly" things', she found her 'scientific training of immense value' in her work. Thomas' pragmatic approach to his teaching anticipated
7832-493: Was the lawyer, politician and financier Thomas Russell . Emily Thomas was a well-educated, travelled, woman of progressive ideas; in 1895 she was nominated unsuccessfully by the Auckland, Devonport and Ponsonby Schools Committees for a seat on the Auckland Education Board. Unfortunately in 1905 and, again, in 1908 she experienced a specific acute reactive disorder that led to her being admitted to Ashburn Hall,
7921-541: Was the site of a scoria stone pit, quarried by early landowners, James Walters and his father John Walters in the early 1880s. In 1885 the land was vested as a reserve by the Domain Board. It was levelled and landscaped during the 1920s. Mt Eden is well served by trains and buses, and is only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Auckland’s CBD. The train station is located at the north side of Mt Eden, between Ngahura Street and Fenton Street. Mount Eden Railway Station
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