Our Treasures: Hardie Bros timetable at Kiwi North's Whangārei Museum a fascinating donation

Pioneering carrying company Hardie Bros. was the first to own a charabanc in Whangārei; a type of horse-drawn vehicle or early motor coach (2018.36.1) Photo / Supplied

Often when members of the public hear about bequests or gifts to museums they automatically think of substantial collections, famous objects or people, or ancient relics unearthed from a long-forgotten civilisation.

Yet museum acquisitions seldom meet these criteria and are more frequently acquired under less dramatic circumstances. In fact, some of the most fascinating donations offered to these institutions can be extremely simplistic in nature and often overlooked for the treasures they are or the stories that can be gleaned from them.

Last week, the Whangarei Museum at Kiwi North received one such gift from
Tony Evans. Once belonging to his aunty, this covered, quaint utilitarian document reveals an exquisite miniature photograph underneath. The tiny image depicting the service and firm for which this complimentary item was promoting.

The Hardie Bros. Motor Bus Timetable c1915-1919 recently donated to Whangārei Museum. Photo / Supplied

Dated c1915-1919, this old-fashioned motor bus timetable was produced by Hardie Bros publicising the bus departure times from Whangārei for the Kensington and Mairtown round trip on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Offered as a keepsake for patrons with 'The Compliments of the Season' this wee timetable was designed to be mobile and fit in a purse or pocket while also marketing the buses' availability for hireage during the peak holiday period.

Edward Joseph Hardie, along with his younger brother James, established the Hardie Bros carrying business in 1903, beginning their enterprise with premises in Walton St. Initially incorporating a few horse drawn carts to supply heavy loads of metal and coal, this soon expanded to include motorised vehicles.

These two brothers were recognised as being pioneers of motor transport in Whangārei and surrounding borough and by 1914 they had decided to start operating a bus service .

Hardie Bros was the first to own a charabanc which would have created a sensation in the town at the time.

A charabanc is a type of horse-drawn vehicle or early motor coach, usually open-topped with large canvas folding sides common during the early 20th century. It has benched seats arranged in rows facing forward, frequently used for large parties, whether as public conveyances or for excursions.

The Hardie Bros motor bus was chain-driven, had solid tyres, acetylene head-lamps with kerosene parking and tail lights. Local coachbuilders fitted a cab to the Holford chassis sourced from Auckland and a ladder was provided at the rear for passengers.

These motor charabancs were pretty basic vehicles, noisy, uncomfortable and often poorly upholstered with low-backed seats and minimal protection. They were especially popular for work outings, picnics or sight-seeing trips as advertised in 1914, when Hardie Bros announced day trips running to Mangakahia Bridge or Wairua Falls on Boxing Day.

As their carting business expanded and with the introduction of more modern motor coaches, the bus facilities reduced with the service to Kensington and Mairtown, ceasing around 1919.

Hardie Bros continued to grow and in 1985 the original Hardie house built c1900 next to their Whangārei depot was removed from its site at 18 Walton St and transported to Heritage Park here at Kiwi North in Maunu.

Along with the Hardie homestead, the museum now has this motoring remnant which gives us the opportunity to glimpse into the past of Whangārei's early transporting history and a way of life that has long since disappeared.

■ Natalie Brookland is collection registrar, Whangarei Museum at Kiwi North.