Families return for a special birthday

Thursday last week was the 200th birthday of Captain William Butler, the man who built the home on what is now Butler Point, across the harbour from Mangonui. And more than 50 people, from around New Zealand and Australia, many of them descendants of William and Eliza Butler, William's sister Mary Eleanor, and of Butler's business associates, accepted an invitation to celebrate the occasion.

The party was hosted by the family of Lindo and Laetitia Ferguson, who bought the near-derelict property in 1970, and spent the next 40 years restoring and refurbishing it.

Their daughter Jan told Thursday's guests that January 9, 2014, was a special occasion for the Ferguson family, and clearly a special occasion for those who had accepted the invitation.

William Butler, born on January 9, 1814, who died, aged 61, on March 4, 1875, was known to be 'a good citizen, a good husband and a good father,' she said.

Born in the tiny Dorset village of Okeford Fitzpaine, he ran away to sea at the age of 14. Ten years later he bought land at Mangonui, formed good relations with the local Maori and set up a trading post to service whaling ships with supplies and provisions. He became a highly respected member of the community, his roles including those of a lay preacher, harbour master and pilot, magistrate, JP and Member of Parliament. In 1840 he married Eliza Merritt, in Mangonui. They lived in the house at Butler Point, where they raised 13 children. They also welcomed and accommodated families from whaling ships who enjoyed their hospitality, sometimes for months at a time.

Twenty-six years after he left England William arranged to have an advertisement placed in a London newspaper, hoping to make contact with his only sister.

"By good fortune, Mary Eleanor Beale was able to communicate with her brother, and emigrated to New Zealand with her family," Ms Ferguson said.

Meanwhile it was with great regret that her parents Lindo and Laetitia were unable to be there.

"Without their foresight 43 years ago none of us would be here now to enjoy this historic house, gardens and a whaling museum," she said.

"Forty-three years ago the homestead was on the brink. It took professional advice from John Stackpoole, architect and historian, and a considerable financial investment by my father to restore this valuable piece of New Zealand heritage.

"In 1970 the property looked totally different than it does today. It was barren. The native bush was unable to regenerate due to the sheep farmed on the property. The pohutukawa standing today are hundreds of years old. Two notable trees planted by William Butler are this magnificent magnolia grandiflora and an olive tree.

"My parents felt a deep responsibility to preserve the history of the property," she added.

"They restored Butler's homestead, created a seaside garden [which is now noted as a Garden of Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust], and they sought out a whale boat and collected whaling artefacts to illustrate our history of whaling.

"A significant contribution was made by Janice Mogford's research for the private publication by my father of the book The Butler House.

"There was no furniture left in the house from the Butler family. Some furniture of Hubert Dacre's (who bought the house in 1921) remains, but the rest was sourced from Ferguson and Bell family Victorian memorabilia, here and overseas, to lend credence to our interpretation of how William Butler might have lived - and where he would have celebrated a number of birthdays, I am sure."

Ms Ferguson acknowledged Jan Carr, who had tirelessly searched for those who had received invitations. The celebration included opportunities to look over the museum, house and garden, followed by afternoon tea in the orchard.