29/11/2024
James Clark McArtney
Cordial Manufacturer, Waitara 1896 to 1906
Into the steadily developing town of Nelson, James Clark McArtney was born on the 5th September 1872. He was a descendant of the Scottish diaspora and the English criminal justice system of the early 19th century.
His grandfather, John McArtney, together with his family had emigrated to Nelson in 1842, aboard the New Zealand Company barque the “New Zealand”. Both James’ grandfather and father John Jnr were tinsmiths by profession. Bridget Lydia Bowerman, his mother, was the daughter of David Bowerman who had been sent to Australia as a convict in 1820. She had arrived single and alone in Nelson in August 1860 aboard the iron screw steamer Lord Ashley from Sydney.
Only six weeks after Bridget’s arrival in Nelson, John Jnr and Bridget were married. James was the seventh of ten children. As James’ grew, he was well known amongst athletic circles, and became a prominent member of the Albion football club.
[Photo: Interior of James Hamilton’s factory, Nelson.]
The McArtney siblings were industrious; with James’ brothers, John and Robert, engaged as plumbers and metal smiths in Bridge street, Nelson. They had continued in their grandfather and fathers business, which had been established in 1843. Perhaps it was happenstance that next door was the business of F. W. Holland, cordial manufacturer. Holland started operations in 1886, Thomas Gorman took over in September 1894 and later moved to lower bridge street in 1895. James, around age 15, began employment in the factory of James Hamilton of Nelson, also a cordial manufacturer. He remained employed there from about 1887 until 1896.
This employment would have provided James with the experience and confidence to branch out into business on his own account. Perhaps his marriage to Margaret Elizabeth Barnett in 1895 gave him the impetus to do so.
[Photo: View from the street of the shop fronts of F W Holland's Cordial Factory, and J McArtney Tinsmith (Bridge Street businesses. Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection: 48473)]
That same year James and Margaret were married, an Edward Phillip Downing, cordial manufacturer of Waitara, died suddenly. Downing had a colourful background and likely had only been in business in Waitara for a year or two. He died intestate and the estates schedule of property in probate showed a stock in trade of £10, machinery and plant of £110, horse trap and harness £32/10. He had cash in hand of £2/5/4 and book debts of £5. His stock in trade, accounting for other consumables, would have equated to a few dozen gross bottles. His cordial factory is likely to have been a relatively modest operation. Prior to Edward Downing; William H Allen circa 1880 and Thomas Leedom circa 1885 were earlier cordial manufacturers in Waitara.
In October 1896 we find James McArtney traveling alone, leaving Nelson and arriving in New Plymouth via the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand steamer the s.s Mahinapua. Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) had travelled the year earlier from Nelson northwards aboard the same ship, and described it as 'a wee little bridal-parlour of a boat ... clean and comfortable; good service; good beds, good table and no crowding' (McLean, Gavin; New Zealand Ship and Marine Society; Wellington Harbour Board. Maritime Museum, 1990).
[Photo: Edward Phillip Downing (From a photograph used in a family group portrait after Edward’s death; circa 1895 Exchange Court Studio, Dunedin)]
Taranaki, more specifically New Plymouth and its surrounds were very familiar to Nelsonians. During the 1860 Taranaki land wars, thirty six years prior, Nelson became the centre for approximately 1500 evacuees. Most evacuees eventually returned, however, a number stayed. Perhaps this communal memory played a part in James’ decision to relocate to Waitara.
James’ timely departure would support the notion that he was taking advantage of the opportunity presented through the passing of Edward Downing. A Nelson newspaper of the time indicated James had taken up the position of manager of a cordial business in Waitara. However, his obituary indicates that he had purchased a cordial manufactory. Perhaps he had taken over management whilst the estate was being settled and purchased later. Although arriving in October 1896, this would make it a year since Edward Downing’s passing.
Maggie and a “Miss McArtney”, likely Helen, James’ elder sister, joined James in Waitara two weeks later. The electoral rolls show that Helen was in Waitara from at least 1899 until 1906. James and Margaret had five children, with four surviving to adulthood. Sadly, “Maggie” died at Waitara in 1901 at the age of 28, leaving James with a young family to raise and a business to run.
[Photo: Mahinapua 1882-1908 (ANMM Collection Transfer from the Australian War Memorial)]
The known bottles of James’ cordial business are; 10oz and 6oz Codd patents, embossed “J.C. McArtney / Waitara” within an oval. Both types being manufactured by Dan Rylands Co., Barnsley, England. All his embossed bottles are very rare, even though his business ran successfully for 10 years. This is not uncommon for manufacturers of the time, and presents an on-going mystery.
During his time in Waitara James was actively involved in the community through the Caledonian Society, and the annual regatta on the Waitara river. However, by April 1906 James was compelled to retire from business owing to ill health. It was hoped that by moving back to Nelson this would be reversed. He had been held in high regard in Waitara and the Mayor and friends had gathered to bid James and his family farewell. He had sold his cordial business to James Granville.
Only four months after leaving Waitara James McArtney’s death was reported from Nelson, he was aged 33. His illness was only of a few months duration. Leaving a young family behind, although the extended McArtney family were long held residents of Nelson and would have cared for them.
McArtney’s house and quarter acre section was located in Queen street, Waitara. The council in looking to acquire a property to house the power-house and managers residence were intent on the purchase of McArtney’s house for this purpose. Subsequently, it was reported that the house and section was sold to a Urenui investor. Day and Hall in their 1984 book on embossed Taranaki bottles suggest that McArtneys factory was on West Quay.
[Photo: panorama of Waitara 1904; Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19040929-08-01]
