Names wanted in portrait mystery

Fifteen framed portraits from the Wanganui Chronicle's archives have found a new home at the Alexander Library, but mystery surrounds the identity of two of the subjects.

When the Wanganui Chronicle moved to new premises in early December, there was no room for the extensive archives including bound copies of the newspaper, clipping files, photo prints and negatives, and the large, framed portraits.

Some of the material went to the Whanganui Regional Museum and some to the Alexander Library.

Wanganui Chronicle general manager Andy Jarden said he did not know how the portraits came to be in the newspaper's possession.

"I remember them being moved 25 years ago from the archives in our previous building in Drews Ave to the Taupo Quay building, but where they originally came from I can't say."

Before the Chronicle moved to the new premises in Guyton St, Mr Jarden took the pictures to Lorraine Burnet, whose family used to own the newspaper.

"She was able to identify many of the people in the portraits, but these drew a blank. We'd love to know if there's anyone out there who knows anything about them."

One portrait is a black and white photo of a bearded man.

The portrait has no signature or other marks on it. Mr Jarden said he understood the man may be a former Wanganui Chronicle editor, Gilbert Carson, but that had not been confirmed.

The other portrait is a full-length painting or painted photograph of a World War I artillery soldier in full uniform.

There is a page from a 1919 edition of the Wanganui Chronicle pasted on to the back.

Gillian Tasker from the Alexander Library said the pictures had only been at the library for several days but already they were generating a lot of interest with visitors.

She said most of the portraits were of "prominent citizens" of Wanganui's yesteryear.

"One, of the 1923 Wanganui Chronicle staff picnic, appears to show a very young Jimmy Ward, who won the VC in WWII for putting out a fire on the wing of his plane."

Another portrait shows businessman and former Honorary German Consul to New Zealand, Frederick Augustus Krull, who moved to Wanganui in the 1880s. Oakland Ave, on St Johns Hill, was originally named after him, but was changed during WWI.

One of the pictures may have a personal connection to Ms Tasker.

"It's possibly of my great-uncle, who was in the Royal Air Force in WWII and was shot down and killed while taking reconnaissance photos for the army after the D-Day landings."

Mr Jarden said he was interested in hearing from anyone who may know who these two men in the unidentified pictures are.

If you have any information, please contact us at news@wanganuichronicle.co.nz or phone [06] 349 0728.