John Black Kerikeri

edmondsallan - hello - Not many will remember the name of
" John Black " unless you have been researching Kerikeri . I think some of you who may have been following the stories in the journals have fallen a -sleep .! Wakey wakey !!! you can take a snooze after this journal as I want to watch the " Rugby Test against Scotland " and if you already know the score , keep away. I intend to sit with my Gin & pork sammy . and relax - then have my " Grandad Nap " . Till then ------ " George Black " He was one of the original Stone store owner's at Keri keri . He purchased the " Stone Store " in 1888. Of Interest when / who built the " Stone store " at Kerikeri .Northland .
" Old Faithfull " gave me the answer ( which said when I put it into storage many years ago and told her to file it under Kerikeri . Gosh I was methodical in those days ) In 1832 Building of the "Stone Store " at Kerikeri began under the instructions from the Mission settlement at Kerikeri , Bay of Islands .nz
It was operated by the mission till 1848. It was then sold to the " Kemp " family , who from then on Leased it to several people over a period of time . It was sold by them to the " NZ Historical Trust "in 1976. The designer / architect was The Rev -John Hobbs. This means " John Black " must have bought the lease and not the freehold . Well I'll be damned - I always remembered and said he bought the freehold . Or well even the best make mistakes
( skite skite !! pull your horns in " Eddie Boy " ). onward -
Black also , had a steam boat " Firefly " built locally which he used for trading between Kerikeri and Russell . He also was Gum dealer in a big way .. He also established a " butcher's shop , which he had built . " Black " was also responsible in getting the first school built in Kerikeri ,a one ( 1 ) room Building . He also developed a small cottage across from the stone store ( now gone ) this developed in to a 14 room mansion where People / workers could stay. He married " Ethel Jane Kemp junior " they had Two ( 2 ) sons and six ( 6 ) daughters . " John Black died in in 1909 ( age 58 ) at Kerikeri . Bay of Islands . His wife and family shifted to Auckland for a while after his death. They returned to their beloved paradise after about seven ( 7 ) years . It certainly is a beautiful Place even today . Till we meet again - regards -edmondsallan