Part 1: The Shetland Islanders and their contribution to the fishing industry in Island Bay

Rose and Jim Coutts, Shetland Society of Wellington

First published in Ngā Ākau ki te Tonga Southern Bays number 1 2006

There was a time, however, when traditional living conditions became unsustainable due to overpopulation created by the improved general health of the islanders..  From the late 1700s up to 1881, the population  increased to over 31,000, and despite an upturn in the economic conditions between 1890 to 1914, emigration to other parts of the globe became an attractive proposition, with many seeking a new life in New Zealand. Over the years, migrants were influenced by the gold rush in the South Island, the opportunity to purchase land cheaply, better employment opportunities, and New Zealand Government assisted migrant fares from  1871 to 1888,  which were resumed from  1904.

Shetland men are renowned for their seamanship and in the past Shetlanders were frequently the target of the Royal Navy press gangs.*  In both World Wars there were disproportionate numbers of  Shetlanders  in  the  Royal  and Merchant  Navies to  those serving in the Army and Air Force.  So it is not surprising that a large number of Shetlanders who settled in Wellington ended up working for various shipping companies, the Harbour Board, as watersiders and  stevedores, or became fishermen working out of Island Bay.

One of the best known Shetland fishing families in Wellington were the three Tait brothers, Ross, (who arrived here about 1913), Jack and Peter.  Jack was the first Island Bay fisherman to be known as 'Mr Cook Strait' .There were about 250 Shetlanders in Wellington, with a number of families established in Island Bay, including the Arthurs, the Bruces, the Duncans, the Hunters, the Inksters, the Irvines, the  Isbisters, the Johnsons, and  the Pottingers.

The Bruces lived in Bristol Street, the Duncans, Johnsons and Taits in Beach Street, and Inksters, Isbisters and Taits in Brighton Street.

Island Bay was  chosen by the early Shetlanders because of its proximity to the fishing grounds in Cook Strait.  Also the bay was reasonably protected from the prevailing north westerlies and Tapu te Ranga Island gave some shelter from the southerlies, depending on their severity.  The weather and sea conditions in Cook Strait would have been more familiar to the Shetlanders than the Italians, who would not have had to contend with strong tides and rips in the Mediterranean.  It is generally accepted that the Shetlanders taught the technique of long-line fishing to the Italians.   Coming from the Mediterranean, the Italians did not have to contend with much tidal variation, and they were generally net rather than line fishermen.

The Shetlanders introduced the use of hand-made canvas buoys, capable of withstanding tidal conditions.  Made in six panels, sewn together leaving a hole for inflation.  The canvas was oiled inside and out with linseed oil, then painted with red lead to make them waterproof. Sometimes tar was also used. These were much more reliable than the barrels or drums used by the Italians which could not withstand the water pressure and would sometimes implode with the loss of the attached fishing gear.

Oilskins could be bought ready-made but the Shetland fishermen preferred the home-made versions. called 'smookies' which the Shetland women made out of canvas and lined with calico. They were  oiled with linseed and hung out to dry, which could take weeks.  Most fishermen had two oilskins as they were not completely waterproof.

A slump in 1921-22 saw William Bruce leave the fishing industry, selling up his boat after only 18 months.  In 1928 Lew Irvine sold out his share of the San Marco to go into partnership with Peter Isbister to set up Cook Strait Fisheries, which operated at 129 The Parade, previously Howard and Tilyard's butchery.  [The butchery had relocated to 127 The Parade].  In 1934 Peter Isbister bought out Lew Irvine and Cook Strait Fisheries continued trading until a few years ago.

The 1930s Depression saw depressed prices for fish.  This led to the establishment of the Wellington Fisherman's Cooperative Ltd with Shetland, Scottish and  Italian  fishermen  participating. The Cooperative stabilised the market by purchasing, preparing and selling the catch to retailers and to fulfill government contracts.  They paid a minimum wage to their members.  Their best known outlet was in Cuba Street.  The Cooperative was successful until 1963 when internal divisions led to its demise. It also led to some Shetland families leaving Island Bay for more lucrative markets.  The Inksters, Duncans, Pottingers and Mouats went to the Chathams.  The Tait brothers moved north to Napier, where Jack's son Peter eventually became Mayor of Napier and  was subsequently knighted.

The Shetland and Italian communities cooperated together but seldom socialised, although the Island Bay Fishermen's football team of 1921 was made up of both Italian and Shetland Islanders.  The Shetlanders in Island Bay formed the Thule Tennis Club which was located on the corner of Beach Street and The Esplanade

When the Progress  was wrecked in 1931 several Shetlanders were to the fore with the rescue attempts.  The Captain of the Progress, Alex Copland, was also a Shetlander and his first words on being rescued were "Thank God it's Laurie Duncan"!  Peter Isbister, along with other fishermen and police, received a medal from the Royal Humane Society for his part in the rescue.

The Boats

Rose and Jim Coutts, Shetland Society of Wellington

From the Southern Bays Historical Society Collection

These are the only boats that we [The Shetland Society of Wellington] are aware of that were named with a connection to Shetland.

The San Marco was also owned at one time by Jack Tait along with another Shetlander, John Pottinger.  It was sold in 1926 to Lew Irvine (also a Shetlander) and the Wilson brothers (who were Scots).  The Silver Fern or Fern as she was called at times,  was owned by Laurie Duncan, the Dawn was owned by John Inkster, who was related to John Pottinger of the San Marco.  John Inkster was highly regarded as being "the most efficient of the young fishermen" at the time.  Sadly John Inkster died, also of pneumonia, when he was only 38.

The Dawn, the San Marco and the Silver Fern were very similar in construction, about 30ft in length and were all moored close together near the western entrance [to the bay].

The Wild Duck was owned by another of the Tait Brothers, Peter, along with Jack Mouat.  Jack Mouat eventually married John Inkster's widow Meg, who was a daughter of Laurie Duncan of the Silver Fern.

As you can see the Shetlanders were almost one large extended family, married to and working for each other.

Shetland Islanders Murial by seaside of Shorland Park

Part 2: From Shetland to Island Bay: The Journey of Peter Tait and Family

Bill Tait, February 2009

From the Southern Bays Historical Society Collection

There were many other Shetlanders who came over including Uncle Johnnie, Mum’s youngest brother, who lived with us as long as I can remember. We also had another lodger, Jack Mouat (no relation) who later became Dad’s partner when The Wild Duck was built. Another popular family member was Big John who was the son of my father’s eldest sister Barbie.For a short time Tommy who was another one of Dad’s brothers, came to New Zealand and was employed droving up country. He often came with his horse and dogs and stayed with Aunty Elsie in Beach Street.

As soon as Dad settled he organised the building of our first home at 178 Queen Drive in Island Bay where Elsie and I were both born. Mum and Agnes arrived before the house was finished so they rented rooms above the dairy in Humber Street. Later on Dad sold 178 and we shifted to 186 Queen’s Drive. We were very happy there. It was a larger house and I finally had my own room. After Dad died in 1953 Mum purchased 180 Queens Drive, a lovely little home for her. All this coincided with the Great Depression so they had very little to come and go on. Dad was earning very little on the River Nile, but they seemed to make ends meet with Mum’s efforts in looking after our boarders.

In my early life I have great memories of all the Shetlanders having a wonderful social life, always in each other houses and helping each other.

Dad was really respected by the other Italian fishermen and had some very good Italian friends. On the day of his funeral not a boat left Island Bay. They all attended Dad’s funeral. During the war their home was an open house for all the young Shetland boys who came out on the merchant boats. Mum made them a big pot of stap made from boiled ling and their livers all mashed together and served with floury taties – a special Shetland dish. By the time the war started, not only had Uncle Jack gone to fish in Napier, Uncle Andrew and Aunty Elsie and his family also went to Napier with their boat the Norna.

Fishing during the War was quite prosperous for Dad as the Italian boats were only allowed to fish in daylight hours. The big day of the month was when Dad went into the fisherman’s Co-op to collect the month’s earning. Dad was a director of the Co­op so always made a big day of it. He always came home with the brown envelope in the pocket of his gabardine coat and I always met him when he got off the tram at the terminus. He always had with him a big bag of mixed lollies that he would have bought at Woolworths or Selfridges in Cuba Street on the way home.