Arthur Ethelbert (Bertie) Mellsop
Born at 'Knockmaroon", Packington, or Glenbrook (known by several names in those early days) on a winter's day, on 9th June 1869, the third son of John Thomas Mellsop and his wife Charlotte. Bertie was a foundation pupil of Glenbrook School, and it was here that he met his future wife Florence Adela Hamlin. Her father, Ebenezer Hamlin had donated the land to the Education Board on 18th July 1876 for the first school in the area.
The school opened in 1877, and apart from a place of education it was also used for religious purposes — an organ belonging to the Church of England was stored there. The school was originally known as Brookside School, after Mr Hamlin's farm, but changed in 1912 to Glenbrook School, a name that is still maintained. Bertie and Florence had been pupils together at Brookside School. Bertie may have made his intentions know when he was only sixteen years old by the card he made and gave to her. Florence, or Flossie as she was known, and Bertie were married at Bishopscourt, Parnell in 1898. |
Bertie & Flossie Mellsop had the following children.
Click on the names to go to the page with their individual biographies and stories. |
Bertie had taken up farming on leaving school, and once he was married he and Flossie went to Maiora purchasing a property opposite the Henry farm, moving onto it in 1900. They remained there till the older children were about to start school when they bought a property next to the Otaua School. The Maiora property had been too far from the nearest school for the children to travel daily. The three older children Laurence, Nora, and Claude started their school days at Otaua moving onto Waiuku Primary School midway through 1908.
In February 1907, after three days and nights of rain, resulting in the Waikato River flooding and covering the whole of the Aka Aka swamp and part of Otaua including the family farm. It was three months before all the water had receded. The road from Otaua to Waiuku being well covered. The farm house (which is still standing in 2015) was on high ground and not affected but most of the farm was on swampland and as a result under water.
In February 1907, after three days and nights of rain, resulting in the Waikato River flooding and covering the whole of the Aka Aka swamp and part of Otaua including the family farm. It was three months before all the water had receded. The road from Otaua to Waiuku being well covered. The farm house (which is still standing in 2015) was on high ground and not affected but most of the farm was on swampland and as a result under water.
It was the flood determined Bertie sell the Otaua farm in 1908 and move to Waiuku where he purchased a smaller property about a mile from town on Colombo Rd. Land that was not prone to flooding!
Bertie had become what is called a part-time farmer, becoming active in public affairs. Secretary to the Waipipi Roads Board, for a total of 17 years, till it became incorporated with the Franklin County Council. Secretary to the Aka Aka Drainage Board after his fathers death. A valuer for the Waikato River Board, that became defunct in the 1920s. Clerk on the Waiuku Wharf. Involved in Land Agency (Real Estate selling) Bertie, had a street named after himself in Waiuku, when a subdivision was formed.
Bertie was a keen horseman, and had a good reputation for breaking in horses. He was out riding his horse with youngest son, Stuart, caught a cold which turned to pleurisy and pneumonia, dying on 3rd August 1913. He was the tallest of his five brothers at 5 ft 11 inches in height.
Flossie kept the property until 1915, when for her growing children's education sold and moved to Wallace Rd Papatoetoe. This enabled the boys to travel by train to Auckland Boys Grammar School for their secondary education when the time arose. Laurence, who had been boarding with his Grandma Hamlin in Auckland since 1912 so he could take up his scholarship to Auckland Boys Grammar, now came home and travelled by train daily from Papatoetoe to school.
There were many tennis gatherings at Wallace Road where the grassed court was well utilized by the family and friends .
Bertie had become what is called a part-time farmer, becoming active in public affairs. Secretary to the Waipipi Roads Board, for a total of 17 years, till it became incorporated with the Franklin County Council. Secretary to the Aka Aka Drainage Board after his fathers death. A valuer for the Waikato River Board, that became defunct in the 1920s. Clerk on the Waiuku Wharf. Involved in Land Agency (Real Estate selling) Bertie, had a street named after himself in Waiuku, when a subdivision was formed.
Bertie was a keen horseman, and had a good reputation for breaking in horses. He was out riding his horse with youngest son, Stuart, caught a cold which turned to pleurisy and pneumonia, dying on 3rd August 1913. He was the tallest of his five brothers at 5 ft 11 inches in height.
Flossie kept the property until 1915, when for her growing children's education sold and moved to Wallace Rd Papatoetoe. This enabled the boys to travel by train to Auckland Boys Grammar School for their secondary education when the time arose. Laurence, who had been boarding with his Grandma Hamlin in Auckland since 1912 so he could take up his scholarship to Auckland Boys Grammar, now came home and travelled by train daily from Papatoetoe to school.
There were many tennis gatherings at Wallace Road where the grassed court was well utilized by the family and friends .
Arthur Ethelbert Mellsop's dates:
Born 9 June 1869
Died 3 August 1913
Taken from the book "The Mellsop Family" complied by Rosalie-Ann Nicholson - 2004
Born 9 June 1869
Died 3 August 1913
Taken from the book "The Mellsop Family" complied by Rosalie-Ann Nicholson - 2004