Robert John Port, a single man, from Ballinderry By Moneymore, Londonderry, Ireland emigrated to New Zealand arriving in Wellington in July 1883. After working on farms in the Manawatu province he moved south with his wife of 6 years, Mary Elizabeth Hughey, to commence farming on his own account. He built a home on the hillside farm overlooking present day Waikanae called “Te Maku” which remained in Port family ownership until 1991. Te Maku was the centre of family life as well as the focal point for farming, horticulture and other economic activities. The Port family collection donated by grandson John Wilson Port’s wife, Nita, contains many items of day to day living as well as an excellent photographic gallery of family members.
Household Management Reference
Date: Circa 1890
Title: Dr. Chase’s Receipt Book and Household Physician
Description: Many emigrants needed to be self sufficient after moving to a new country and faced with spartan surroundings, distant neighbours and few sources of support when things went wrong. It was common to find a treasured book such as this which provided advice and recipes for every eventuality especially when no medical doctor was at hand. It contains practical help, information advice and recipes pertaining to various disease and cures, household matters, agriculture, and domestic animals. A handwritten inscription at the front indicates it was the property of Robert Port’s wife, Mary Elizabeth Port:
Mary E Port
June 2nd /94,
Pohangina
Expansion of Port farm to Reikorangi
Date: 1925
Title: Reikorangi property Certificate of Title
Description: The Port family farm in Waikanae was added to when Robert Port purchased additional grazing land at Reikorangi several kilometres away and further east along the Akatarawa Road. Stock to be delivered to market needed to be driven on foot back to Waikanae for loading onto the rail wagons.
Bull, belonging to the Port Family. Photo taken at Reikorangi. The horns of this Reikorangi bull were attached to the exterior of the Port farm shed after it died.
Port Family Photo
Date: circa 1925
Title: Port Family members
Description: One of many photographs taken of Port Family members on the verandah at 'Te Maku' the Port Family home in Waikanae. In this photo is Mary Elizabeth Port Snr (nee Hughey) with her daughter Mary Elizabeth (“Sissa”) Port and son Leslie Hughey Port at rear with daughter Gertrude Martha (“Gertie”) Port in the front. Traces of the familiar established wisteria tree frame the photo.