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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
media, on shop windows, the catch- school discovered this unusual sight.
phrase of the day: “As Seen On TV!” That's when the first race on the card
got under way! It was led by Snowy
During the 1960s, traffic lights were and Dolly and followed by six excited
introduced into Avondale at the children. The sheep fleeced the field
Rosebank/Gt North Rd intersection. A on the first lap but on the second were
roundabout replaces traffic islands caught by the children who knew to
at Gt North Road / St Judes / St where they should be returned.
Georges / Wingate intersection.
Snowy and Dolly were led up Elm
Before the mid-1960s, bus-stops in Street into Great North Road and the
Avondale (for diesel powered buses) front door of Arthur H. Nathan Home
were directly beside the main shop Appliances. Snowy was an obedient
awnings in Great North Road. These sheep and went through the shop and
were shifted to current positions. out the back door returning to her
original pasture. Dolly however was
1962 very stubborn and eventually a little
force had to be used to encourage her
In an obituary published on 18 August to go through the shop and out the
1962, for the death of his father Mr W back door. Well the fun of the big day
R Battersby, Phillip Battersby is had made Dolly a little loose and she
referred to as President of the left an unwelcome trail from the front
Avondale Businessmen’s Association. door to the back door. The proud store
manager could certainly see a line that
Everyone thinks only horses race at separated the white ware from the
the Avondale Jockey Club but in 1962 brown ware of that home appliance
all that changed. You see at 1883 shop.
Great North Road behind Arthur H.
Nathan Home Appliances (now And so ended the day that Snowy and
Westforce Credit Union) George Dolly the sheep raced at the Avondale
Pilkington, the building owner, used to Jockey Club.
graze two sheep called Snowy and [The Day the Sheep raced at the Avondale
Jockey Club, Bruce Pilkington, December
Dolly. 2001 (email to the author)]
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
“Lynnmall is a shopping centre which “The bogey of the New Lynn Regional
has been put in an area where there Shopping Centre, which is now with
are adequate shopping facilities us, has proved something of a paper
already. There is no way of expanding tiger,” said the president of the ABA,
New Lynn, so Lynnmall has to rely on Mr J E Horide, at the annual meeting
outside areas for support, such as on Monday.
Roskill, Avondale, Blockhouse Bay
and Henderson. The centre had affected some
businesses slightly and most others
“Now they are talking of establishing not at all, he said.
another big shopping centre slap bang
in the Middle of Mount Albert, which in The new threat was that more such
turn will take business from Lynnmall. centres would follow and, Mr Horide
As far as I’m concerned, it is town said, the committee had given
planning gone haywire.” approval in principle to the proposals
put forward by the new Federation of
Mr Smith considered that a proposed Businessmen’s Associations.
federation of suburban businessmen’s Outside opposition to the proposed
associations could act as a watchdog free bus service had forced the
on town planning matters – a field in association to abandon the scheme
which local business people had been but, said Mr Horide, he would like to
far too apathetic in the past. point out that the rumoured free buses
to Lynnmall had not materialized
The meeting, called by the Mount either. [Western Leader, 6/5/1964]
Albert Businessmen’s Association and
attended by representatives of over 60 Stuart North now president of the
similar organizations in Auckland ABA.
suburbs appointed a steering “In unity lies strength, and if our plans
committee to examine the possibility of to promote the area to the full are to
forming a federation to lodge succeed, close unity among all
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
shopkeepers in the area is essential,” chosen Queen, for the best float, for
said the newly-elected president of the most imaginative costume.
ABA, Mr Stuart North.
“The date for the carnival had not yet
“In the past I have been extremely been decided because this would
disappointed at the apathetic depend on the amount of support
approach to the association’s scheme received by the association, said Mr
by many of my fellow shopkeepers,” North. [Western Leader, 3/6/1964]
he said.
“ABA proud to be associated with
“If we pull together we can, I know, Rosebank Industrial Centre and its
offer the public as much as any other phenomenal growth, says Mr S North.
shopping centre in the Western Mr North said while Rosebank Road
Suburbs. If we do not get the support had shot ahead, Avondale had made
of the businessmen, both members progress at a steadier rate over the
and non-members of the association, years. This was marked by the
our strength will be weakened and we specialized shops and the brighter
might as well retire ingloriously.” look in the centre.
[Western Leader, 13/5/1964]
“He said newcomers to the association
Although the Federation of had brought new ideas. These had
Businessmen’s Associations could mixed well with the original aims of the
not prevent large centres from being older established businesses.
built it could endeavour to get them
built in the existing centres and so “The proposed queen carnival was an
centralize shopping. [Western Leader, ambitious venture for the association,
13/5/64] Mr North said, but it would prove its
worth by bringing the shopping centre
“ABA will soon call for support for the to the fore, and by helping the
Avondale Queen Carnival from organisations to increase their funds.
sporting bodies, churches, firms and
other organisations in the area. The “Members of the association were
association last week agreered to working enthusiastically towards the
pursue its plan to hold the carnival. It promotion of both the business and
hoped the carnival would be well residential areas. This outlook was a
received in the district and that support reflection of the new spirit of unity
would be forthcoming. among the members, said Mr North.
[Western Leader, 24/6/1964]
The carnival will be sponsored by the
association in an effort to promote “The ABA has been asked by the
Avondale … the carnival would enable Auckland City Council to provide
the district to work together for a relevant information to add weight to
common cause and it would also bring the council’s objection against the Mt
to the notice of the public the valuable Albert and Market Road shopping
work done by the various centres.
organisations taking part in it. Prizes
will be donated by the association. “Because of the close proximity of two
These will be awarded in a number of similar types of shopping areas to
sections, including a prize for the girl Avondale [Lynnmall and Kelston,
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
which opened 1964] the area was parking areas to shoppers have been
chosen as an example. erected in Avondale.
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
“The association recommended that “Mr Horide said the brevity of the
part of the verge be removed to annual report could only be attributed
provide angle parking, and to relieve to the lack of interest and desire for
parking problems. [Western Leader, the progress and development of
23/9/1964] Avondale as shown by the members
of the association.
1965
“When the committee tried to organize
Mr J E Horide president of ABA. a business promotion week last year
the absence of support was such that
“Avondale Businessmen are pleased it became simply a matter of individual
that once again the Mayor of efforts. This so disgusted some of the
Auckland, Mr Robinson, has occasion more active members that they
to visit the district,” said the president resigned from the association to
of the ABA, Mr J Horide.” [Western devote their energies to their own
Leader, 7/4/1965] interests.
“Avondale businessmen had always “If more interest was not shown at the
been anxious that the shopping centre AGM, Mr Horide said, he could only
should be kept clean, he said. They recommend that the association be
had applied to council for more discontinued.
frequent and thorough sweeping of the
streets.” [Western Leader, 12/5/1965] “Such a course was abhorrent to him
and to several others, he said, but to
ABA may go into recess continue as in the past was too
“Out of a membership of 56, only 13 thankless a task for those who were
people attended ABA’s AGM last left to conduct the association’s
week. affairs.” [Western Leader, 19/5/1965]
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
Avondale Lions, Avondale Rotary and travellers come from town along the
the City Council. [Conversation with Stuart intersection of Gt North Road and
North, July 3, 2001] Blockhouse Bay Rd, another by St
Ninians church, and the other at the
Avoncourt put on the market for corner of New North Road. [Western
sale. Leader, 22/9/65]
“So many of our old buildings are
pulled down that I hope a landmark Avondale loses City Council
like Avoncourt without a trace of borer representation
in its solid heart kauri beams is (Bailey loses his seat on the council.)
preserved, even if at some future date “Voters in the western suburbs’ area of
it may be modernized.” [“Jay”, Avondale the Auckland City Council region
Angles, Western Leader, 18/8/1965] showed complete lack of interest of
the polls, says Blockhouse Bay
Unfortunately, the Avoncourt hotel was Businessmen’s Association president
demolished in 1967. Mr Ian McGregor. They are now faced
with no direct representation on the
Painting the centre. Auckland City Council.
“A prominent Avondale businessman
said that two years ago he had a Lack of representation is causing
colour scheme worked out for the concern among business communities
shops in the main centre. and Residents and Ratepayers
Associations.” [Western Leader, 20/10/65]
“Some of the shops have been (There would not be another Avondale
repainted, but on looking around local on Council until the mid-1970s)
recently, I did see a number which are
in a very shabby state. ABA recruiting drive
“ABA stages social and recruiting drive
“With all the new buildings erected, on 27 October 1965 at new Rosedale
and in the process of being erected, it Reception Lounge on upper
would be gratifying to see the other Rosebank Road.
shops smartened up. It’s a thought I
leave with you to smarten up by At present, the association is holding
Christmas with a pot or two of paint.” an “all out” campaign to give better
[“Jay”, Avondale Angles, Western Leader, service and let the public know that
25/8/65]
services equal to those anywhere else
are available in the area.”
The ‘prominent businessman’ was
Stuart North, of Avondale Paint and
(Rosedale was a new dance studio of
Papers Ltd. Unfortunately, his
ballroom dancers Maurice and Lionel
suggestion of repainting the shopping
Taylor, the then biggest private
centre would not be realised until the
ballroom in Auckland). [Western Leader,
Mainstreet project of the late 1990s. 20/10/1965]
He also suggested setting up a coffee
shop close to Great North Road and Shoppers crèche idea
the main traffic areas. [Conversation with ABA hope for crèche for shoppers and
Stuart North, 3 July 2001]
that Salvation Army Hall could serve
this purpose (From December 15 to
Welcome sign
24, the Salvation Army ran a crèche in
ABA has erected “Welcome to
their Y.P. Hall for the Business
Avondale” signs which can be seen as
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
Association, with funds raised going to North Road as part of the new block
towards their new hall.). [Western constructed in the mid 1960s.
Leader, 27/10/1965; Salvation Army Corps
History, 1965] Mr Waterfield recalled that a Mr Bill
Dowling was the first to build, having a
[From Jan Grefstad’s book, Picture Theatres
of Auckland] delicatessen, café, and record shop.
In November 1965 Mr. Bruce Then came Mr Waterfield’s building
Anderson commenced to run the (site of present day Salvation Army
cinema for a short time. At this period shop), then Fowlers, then a dairy
business was very poor for most (which later converted to the Bank of
Suburban Cinemas battling to survive New South Wales).
the television invasion of
entertainment. By February 1966 he Burt Coyle approached Mr Waterfield
had had enough and indicated to beforehand, and tried to sell him the
Auckland Cinemas that he would give corner site of the old billiard saloon
up on March 1. He also told his friend and shops by Crayford Street for
Fred Ward who was in partnership £10,000. However, Mr Waterfield built
with Ray Melrose at the Metro, across the road for £7,500.
Mangere.
The Waterfield’s studio could
I had met Fred and Ray at a accommodate up to 100 people at a
Projectionists Union meeting early in time for group sittings, taking photos of
1965 and I had kept in touch with them marching teams, local soccer clubs
during this time. One day Ray asked etc. They had a number of staff
me if I would like to run the Grosvenor working for him, from photographers to
in partnership with himself, as he knew re-touchers. Their team handled up to
Bruce wanted to give up the business. 250 weddings per year.
I agreed and we entered an
agreement with Selwyn Hayward to They also provided special touches,
take over on a managerial agreement. such as when they saw the obituary of
The last movies Bruce showed here a client’s child, they would prepare an
were John Wayne in "The oils miniature of the child and present
Comancheros" with "That Naughty this to the parents with their
Girl" with Brigitte Bardot for the condolences.
weekend February 5/6; "The Sky
above, the Mud below" a documentary Mr Waterfield recalled how he was
on New Guinea and "Broken Arrow" a known to many as “Mr Ray.” “The
western with James Stewart and Jeff business ran us, we didn’t run the
Chandler on February 11/12; "The business,” he told me. There was little
Hustler" with Paul Newman and It room for much of a social life in those
happened in Athens" with Jayne hectic days of keeping up with locals’
Mansfield; "Wild in Country" with Elvis needs.
Presley and "Misty" with David Ladd
on February 25/26 his last movie One of their pride and joys was the
programme. front projection system, which involved
a projector, camera and a ½ mirror set
In December 1965, Mr Terrence at a 45o angle. By the use of
Waterfield built the third and last site transparencies, any background could
for Ray’s Studios, across the Great be used without the projection falling
onto the subject.
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
However, gradually the improved In the new shop, “the lighting is superb
technology around photography – two light wells with splayed sides
allowed more photos to be taken by brighten the shop to daylight intensity
the ordinary person, no longer … The Fowler family built all the
requiring the services of a professional counters, made display stands, and
portrait photographer. With the onset came up with two unique self-service
of colour in the mid 1960s, then stands – a revolving button stand lined
instamatic cameras in the 1970s, the with shelves carrying 1200 types of
re-ordering of wedding photos, the buttons. The other stand carries a
Waterfield’s main money earner, large range of haberdashery – at least
dropped off. They sold the business in 300 items,” designed by Digby Fowler,
the late 1980s “just before GST came who co-ran the Onehunga family
in.” business with his brother Warwick
while another brother Tim ran the
The only remnant today of Ray’s Avondale branch.
Studios is a blue sign with bright
lettering over the closed doorway New building codes came into effect
which used to lead to the studio, but is shortly before construction of the
now locked tight. building. “The blockmakers were well
advanced laying wall blocks when they
No more will we see the sight of a were told the city council insisted on
local professional photographer, who four-hour blocks – these allow fire to
learnt the trade both from others and heat them for four hours before being
by himself, playing knucklebones on damaged.
the step leading to his old shop.
[Conversation with Mr and Mrs Waterfield, “These and other restrictions were
21/7/2001] faced by Tim and it was to his credit
that the store was completed within 18
1966 weeks.” [quotes from Western Leader, 30
September 1969]
Block between playground, playing
courts and (now) Inner Circle Fowler’s closed their Avondale branch
Development built. [Western Leader, on 31 December 1993.
30/9/1969]
Metropolitan Films take over
Fowlers Bargain House and Rays Grosvenor Theatre, (Jan Grefstad and
Studios (Terence Ray Waterfield) both partners) [letter to Council, 21/2/66]
purchased property in the 1973-1987
Great North Road block in December “In talking with local businessmen and
1965. residents, we have noticed that they
are showing intense interest and all
Digby and Warwick Fowler initially had have expressed their support at our
a shop at 4 St Georges Road in 1965- intentions to provide first class
66, but “the old store was a cramped entertainment and service.”
600 square feet.” The new premises
had “1800 square feet of selling Metropolitan begin showing films 1
space, and was designed by Mr J March 1966. 10 December, Hayward’s
Entrician,” who’d also designed relinquish the tenancy.
Plessey’s factory in Henderson.
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
127
Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
products, Morrison & Crawford won 1st “It’s rumoured,” said Harry, “that there
prize! are 500 gold sovereigns hidden here
somewhere, and one old man told me
A fitting tribute to the Crawford family that if we looked carefully we’d
who, when others would have cried probably find traces of gold dust,
quits, decided to expand instead.” brought in by the Coromandel gold
[Western Leader, 23/10/1969, from collection prospectors many years ago.
of Mrs V Crawford.]
“In the past two weeks Harry has
In 1976, the business was sold to
heard stories of men taking their first
Curtis & Miller.
date to the hotel; of the licensee who
hanged himself in the cellar after the
“Morrison & Crawford became one of
hotel lost its licence [this, of course,
the first outlets to one-line to Atlantic in
refers to the real suicide of Mr J. Stych
1952. Since that time the premises
in 1898 - note]; and of a pioneer
have been successively upgraded to
woman’s diary hidden somewhere in
maintain the modern image. In 1967
the hotel.
the station was relocated some 50
metres to escape the traffic congestion
“There’s also the story that the stable
of a nearby intersection. This major
behind Avoncourt was once the
upgrade not only ensured the future
overnight resting place for corpses
growth of the service station but also
brought out of the bush by the
contributed to a clear cut win in the
gumdiggers and bushmen.
Atlantic “Model Service Station Award”
in 1969.” [Mobil Happenings, in-house
magazine, 1982, from the Crawford Collection,
“I was told that in those days the hotel
courtesy of Mrs V Crawford.] was overrun by rats,” said Harry. “One
night, a dead Maori was left in the
Vic Amos chairman of ABA in 1967. stables. In the morning, they found
nothing but his bones.” [Western Leader,
September: Avoncourt Hotel 5/9/67]
(formerly Avondale Hotel) demolished.
Avondale’s first supermarket, Burnt-out and Burgled Amos’ Quit
Coopers, built on the site. Avondale --“Two burglaries and a fire
in one year. It’s time to quit and I’m
“The Avoncourt Hotel at Avondale is quitting.”
rapidly disappearing and as it falls
brick by brick and beam by beam, “These were the words of Avondale
many old stories are sharply revived. grocer, Mr Vic Amos after surveying
Demolition gang foreman, Harry his fire-gutted shop last week.
(‘Harbour Bridge’) Hujbregts said that
since work on tearing down the hotel “I never thought I’d walk out like this.
began several weeks ago, many My father owned the business before
people had come in and asked to be me and I’ve been here all my life.
shown through the rooms once more We’re the second oldest grocery firm
before they disappear. in Auckland.” [Western Leader, 5/12/67]
“And with the ‘old timers’ have come a “Avondale is on the move. A large
host of long-forgotten tales – some supermarket is at present under
amusing, some macabre. construction on the site of the old
Avoncourt Hotel and is expected to be
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
opened next year, and this week one as far as these properties are
of New Zealand’s most rapidly- concerned, but the footpaths will be
growing wine producing companies cut back, allowing buses to pull out
Montana Wines Ltd will open a into the main traffic stream, making for
spacious new shop in the commercial a smoother flow at all times.
centre.
“[Bus] shelters must be compatible
“A new dairy will also open on Friday.” with the new look which will
[Western Leader, 12/12/67] incorporate suitable trees and shrubs,
promised by Mr George Dean of the
The new supermarket expected to be City Council’s parks department.
complete by January 1968. Cost [Western Leader, 12/12/67]
$220,000, 14.000 sq ft, designed by J
D Davison Construction Coy Ltd, for “Avondale businessmen are not
Mr M.H.G Cooper. It will be divided pulling their weight” – Avondale
into individual departments selling businessmen who were not members
meat, fruit, and vegetables and of the ABA, were not pulling their
groceries. An additional feature will be weight, but were enjoying the benefits
a coffee lounge. At the centre of the of advertising and promotions, the
supermarket will be a type of mall. secretary of the ABA, Mr A. Bailey,
said last week.
“What we have endeavoured to do is
divorce each department from the “He said response from businessmen
actual market operation and at the had been poor for about two years.
same time, keep it all under one roof, “ “They’re all out for trade and are doing
Mr Cooper told the Western Leader good work, but they’re leaving it to just
last week. “This type of development a few to carry on with the work of the
will possibly be the first of its kind in association.”
New Zealand.”
“The Avondale association was one of
Off-street parking was provided for the oldest groups to have held its
78 cars and an additional 28 spaces place in one of Auckland’s oldest
will be provided under the building. suburbs, he said. The area dated back
[Western Leader, 12/12/67] to the gumdiggers and in those days
there was only a “pub” – the Avoncourt
“Avondale is on the move and is – which Mr Bailey owned for many
attracting many more enterprising years, and a store.
businessmen to the area. Had the
credit squeeze not curtailed the “Today the ABA is still doing its best to
Auckland City Council’s finances, an keep a watchful eye on the business
improvement scheme for the shopping community and to advance good
area would have been put into effect trading, to keep shoppers happy. At
this year. this time of year it arranges
Christmas festivities for all ages, gay
“This would have welded the two ends lighting effects and various
of the commercial centre, at present promotions. [Western Leader, 12/12/67]
separated by the Avondale Primary
School on one side of the Great North
Rd and residential properties on the
other. This situation will not be altered
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
On the 8th June 1970 the Bank of He also expressed concerns with
New South Wales branch moved to Avondale teenagers.
number 1971 Great North Road. On
the 11 December 1972 the agency “Teenagers have nothing else to do,
became a full branch and the first but hang around about the streets of
manager was Brian W. Grey. [E-mail Avondale – there are not enough
from Pauline Porteous, Records and Archive recreational facilities here. There is not
Manager, WestpacTrust, 27/3/01] enough supervision of the shopping
community at night either.” [Western
Wises Directory of 1971 lists 187 Leader, 6/1/72]
Avondale businesses in shopping
centre. “I well remember being invited to an
ABA meeting in early 1972 where it
Population of Rosebank, Avondale was reported that serious complaints
North, Avondale South and New from many businessmen in Avondale
Windsor is 21,163. Approximately over street cleanliness had resulted
16,200 people were contained within in a letter being sent to the mayor’s
Avondale’s primary trade area. office. This in turn was referred to
[Avondale Shopping Centre Report, Auckland another department and nothing
City Council, March 1975] happened.
By 1971, Battersby’s Ltd had made “In support of the businessmen’s
improvements and changes to their claims, I recall that five years ago a
chapel offices and facilities, and company, in which I am involved,
celebrated 40 years in Avondale with a purchased the original Avondale store
full page spread in the Western which though nearly 100 years old [the
Leader, 25 November 1971. They had Page’s Building, then 66 years old –
a fleet of five cars, with the chapel note] has been progressively improved
seating over 120 people, and off-street according to a professionally set
parking for 50 cars. scheme. A few days after purchase
(five years ago) a public telephone call
1971 box outside the building was removed.
The footpath damage has never been
Jan Grefstad now president of ABA. reinstated.
He echoed one of the main points
Charles Collier had earlier made in an “Rubbish near the roundabout … lies
interview with the Western Leader in there for months. St Jude St and side
1972, regarding the primary school in streets as businessmen see them are
the shopping centre area. not cleaned at all.” [Ian S. Clews, letter to
Western Leader, 23/3/73]
“Looking forward to 1972, I would like
to see for Avondale a better liaison 1973
between the business community and
the Auckland City Council and a ABA president Grefstad and Charles
completely united shopping centre. Funnell comment to media:
The removal of Avondale Primary
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
“The council looks on Avondale as with car parking and then shops on
the ugly duckling of its domain and the Great North Road frontage. This
its treatment is like that of the would have “linked up” the two halves
forgotten child,” says Mr Funnell. of the shopping centre with a line of
Mr Grefstad said he felt there was an retail premises facing the school.
urgent need for a Residents and However, this was not to be.
Ratepayers Association in
Avondale. “The people need an “Angry Avondale residents and
official voice,” he said. [Western Leader, shopkeepers are disgusted with the
13/3/1973] “big ugly barn” appearance of the
intended Three Guys Supermarket.
Funnell received many phone calls
supporting the need for such an “Shopkeeper Mr C Funnell thinks that
association. [Western Leader, 22/3/1973]. millionaire Albert Gubay’s store looks
‘like a prison’.
Beautification: Council’s response
was to plant a number of potted trees “He pointed out that … the Avondale
in the shopping centre, and reseal store with its white corrugated iron
parts of Gt North Rd. “The parks appearance and no windows has no
department also hopes to erect a tree redeeming features.” [Western Leader,
in the roundabout so Avondale can 11///75]
generally look forward to a new
image.” [Western Leader, 5/4/73] Around this time Shoprite built their
new store on Racecourse Parade.
Council: Auckland Mayor Sir Dove- Finding 3 Guys right next door later,
Meyer Robinson felt that the “people they stayed for only a few more years
of Avondale … had been misled by a before closing down. The store then
group of troublemakers about the became, in turn, Levenes,
Auckland City Council’s intentions for MacDonalds Appliances, Fresh &
the area. These troublemakers have Fresh and King’s Mini-Supermarket.
led people to believe that we have
forgotten about them …” He would The new Avondale Library was
address an ABA meeting on July 31 completed and opened 18 September
and make a full statement about 1973, at a cost of $135,000, and an
Council’s plans for Avondale. [Western area of 743 m2. [Oral History Photo
Leader, 12/7/73] collection notes, 1991]
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
has had architects draw up plans at but the Racecourse was hampering
considerable cost to develop the site. progress in the area. “ … it [the
“’These plans are for a building to racecourse] could have been partly
include a trading bank and medical used for residential development,
centre,’ said Mr Stackpole. ‘It is not contributing to the Avondale trade
just myself who is affected by this area, and for recreation suitable to the
decision, but five other major wider community interests. As it now
concerns.’ stands, they claim the race days do
not assist trade, merely hamper it
“His property is a valuable commercial because of excessive traffic and
site and the compensation figure parking problems.”
offered is ‘ridiculous’.” [Western Leader,
17/12/74] The report also highlighted problems
In 1974, due to a five-fold increase in within the Avondale Businessmen’s
new drivers licence testing in 1973, a association:
new testing office opened in the
Community Centre (Public Hall) on St “The ABA has been plagued by
Georges Rd. This was replaced by a factions from its inception and
western base established in Rosebank therefore, could seldom reach a
Road at the once-turnaround area for consensus on matters affecting the
the trolley buses. The new base whole centre. Each block of shops has
included a parking warden. [Advance In different interests because of its
Order, Graham W. A. Bush, 1991] location. Unfortunately, the physical
disunity of location and appearance in
1974-75 the shopping centre has not been
ABA in recess for more than 15 overcome by the potential strength
months. and common approach this
“We have a ratepayer’s association organisation could impart. It appears
and a community committee (and the the organisation has disbanded.”
promise of a businessmen’s
association). Are we interested in their Traffic noise was another problem for
work and ready to support them with the centre:
their regular dealings with the council
and its departments?” [Dorothy Coup, “It is not pleasant to stand and chat
Western Leader, 13/5/75] along the footpaths or to silently
browse around shop windows as
The Gt North Rd façade of 3Guys brakes screech and exhausts roar in
supermarket attracts negative the background.”
comments [Western Leader¸14/1/75 &
11/3/75]. It further adds to the split in “The Auckland City Council
two halves of the shopping centre. approached the [Community]
committee and asked if members
On 27 March, 1975, B W Bullivant, thought the toilets [then located
Senior Planner with Auckland City, behind the Hollywood] should be
wrote a report to the Planning and renovated or replaced. After inspecting
Redevelopment Committee about the the present ones, the committee
shopping centre. strongly recommended new toilets on
a more central site. Members hope
He noted that the business community that new toilets will be built on the site
felt that not only the Primary School next to the Bank of New South Wales
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
[afterwards, Penny Lanes, then in turn Inner Circle Tavern built on the same
Pinky’s, a café, and (in 2002) a same site.
chicken meat retailer].
The former Morrison & Crawford
They also recommended that this Service Station becomes known as
building include a shopper’s crèche, a Curtis & Miller.
room for mothers to breastfeed and
change their babies and facilities for “In 1976, after forty-six years, the
people in wheelchairs. Here’s hoping Crawford family retired from the
the City Council will approve the operation of the service station,
suggestions. [Dorothy Coup, Western leaving it in what have certainly proved
Leader, 3/6/75] to be the capable hands of Pat Curtis
and Paul Miller. Sharing managerial,
No. only the toilet block was built., mechanical and merchandising skills,
which was to last until the winter of this partnership has built on the rock-
2002. solid foundations that Mrs Crawford
had established. The keystone of the
“Last Tuesday night” a special meeting business continues to be ‘service
of the ABA was held to reform the second to none’, and Curtis and Miller
association. Charles Funnell elected Ltd have certainly demonstrated that
president. More than 40 businessmen you don’t frighten customers away by
and retailers present. “They agreed ensuring that their motoring needs are
the association should be both well satisfied.
progressive and active. We have
another special meeting planned for “Looking at the service station today, a
next month and, meantime, three sub- flourishing, modern business, well
committees will be at work.” [Western equipped for the eighties and beyond,
Leader, 9/9/75] it is possible to surmise that Mr
Crawford would be well pleased by the
Avondale Market Day held, 26/9/75, successive achievements of firstly Mrs
in conjunction with Spring Festival, Vera Crawford and latterly, Pat Curtis
organised by ABA. and Paul Miller.” [Mobil Happenings, in-
house magazine, 1982, from the Crawford
Avondale Shopping Centre has 152 Collection, courtesy of Mrs V. Crawford]
businesses. [Shopping Centre Promotion,
Western Leader, 23/9/75] According to Mrs Crawford, Curtis &
Miller had left the business by c.1985.
In November 1975 the Bank of New
South Wales branch shifted to its Avondale desperately short of off-
current site at 1977 Great North Road street parking, according to the ABA.
In 1982 it became Westpac through a Alternatives were suggested to
merger with Commercial Bank of Auckland City Council, but these
Australia, and in 1996 WestpacTrust rejected. [Western Leader,6/7/76]
through merger with Trust Bank. It is
now known simply as Westpac. [E-mail John Evans is now president of ABA.
from Pauline Porteous, Records and Archive “The basic aim of the ABA is that
Manager, WestpacTrust, 27/3/01]
shopping in Avondale should be fun,
convenient and inexpensive. To make
1976 Avondale a fun place to shop is one of
Coopers supermarket and retail the hardest goals to achieve. The
complex was demolished, and the
134
Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
1978
Funnell is re-elected for third term.
[Western Leader, 23/5/78]
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
136
Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
1978 to June 1979.” The Rosebank late 1970s, came to help once the
Community House Society centre was up and going.
incorporated on 23 November 1978.
1980
After no success in securing a Rex Charlton is now president of ABA.
Housing Corporation property further Regarding the move of the Post
down Rosebank Road (The Office: “Although the Association is
Corporation would often rent specific concerned about the move, no one
houses to community groups at seems prepared to speak up on its
“peppercorn” rates), the City Council behalf. Opinions are so divided that it
offered them the villa bought by the seems one side of Avondale is fighting
Council back in the late 1940s, at 97 against the other.” [Western Leader,
Rosebank Road. 19/8/80]
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Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
140