Mary Bridget Whelan b.1864

Mary Whelan was born in Gabriels Gully, then lived in the small family home at nearby Wetherstons until she was about 12 years of age, then moved to Dunedin.

Some time before 1888 Mary went on a trip to Melbourne, Australia, where many of her parents’ relatives still resided. It was there, on 18 July 1888, that Mary married Matthew Frank Barnett.

Matthew Barnett was born on 6 June 1859 in Avoca, Victoria, Australia. At age 6 he had been taken to New Zealand by his parents, William Barnett and Rachel Barnett (nee Rachel Mitchell), but had returned to Melbourne for a couple of years.

Some time after their wedding Mary and Matthew made their way back to Otago to farm. Later he helped found the partnership of Barnett and Grant, licensed commission agents (i.e. bookmakers sometimes known as betting agents), which gained a reputation for integrity New Zealand wide, until legislation was passed some 25 years later making such betting businesses illegal, when Matthew retired.

In 1901 Matthew brought a large section at 854 Colombo Street, Christchurch, and commissioned a well-known architect. R. W. England, to design a home for Mary and their growing family. Named ‘Wharetiki’, the home was eventually sold after the death of Matthew in 1935. After housing many owners and tenants throughout the years, the home, now called ‘Grenfell House’, has been renovated and restored to it’s original beauty. At that time the Barnett property took up the adjacent section on the corner of Salisbury and Colombo Streets. Matthew’s garage was situated there, plus a one link bowling green and tennis court.

Although Matthew was an astute businessman, his family members remember that he was generous to a marked degree. He remembered well the time spent as a swagman in Australia. New Zealand swagmen knew of his generosity and warm heartedness and used to leave coded messages near his home in Colombo Street. During the journeys from Christchurch to Dunedin Matthew would throw half-crowns to the swagmen he saw. When he heard that they were sometimes lost in the dust, he put the half crowns in envelopes. Matthew also helped his brother Arthur establish the first of the famous Arthur Barnetts New Zealand stores and was Chairman of the Board at the time of his death in 1935. Matthew made donations to many clubs involved in sporting and recreational activities, and donated to the city of Christchurch the statue of Captain Cook, which stands in Victoria Square.

Around July 1930, when Mary became ill and needed to use a wheel chair, an electric lift was installed to give her access to the first floor. On 1 March 1931, 66 year old Mary Barnett died at home.

Matthew Barnett passed away on 28 Jan 1935 at the age of 75 years. He was laid to rest with his wife Mary, and around their grave are bright white chippings of marble, remnants from the carving of the magnificent statue of Captain Cook.

The children of Matthew and Mary Barnett were:-

Ethel Barnett born 19 Apr 1889, became Ethel Brinkman

Matthew Oliver Barnett (Olly) born 23 Mar 1890, married Gertrude Lillian Woodman.

Ivy Kathleen Barnett born 15 Oct 1891, became Ivy Mills.

Alice May Barnett (Topsy) born 15 May 1893, became Alice Bridgman.

Kate Elizabeth Barnett born 19 Jan 1900, became Kate Bridgman.

Tui Frances Barnett born 21 Dec 1903, became Tui Taylor.

Ethel Barnett married Leonard Brinkman, born 10 Nov 1891. Leonard was a banker and became the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand on the corner of Colombo and Hereford Streets, Christchurch. Ethel Brinkman died on 4 Apr 1945. Leonard lived to the age of 78 years, passing away in England on 2 Apr 1969.

The couple had two children:-

Margaret Brinkman born 11 May 1917, became Margaret Bishop

Geoffrey Brinkman born 2 Oct 1921, married Ngaire MacAlister

Matthew Oliver Barnett. In 1915 Olly married Gertrude Lillian Woodman, born in Irwell on 3 Nov 1892. Olly and Gertrude (known as Bird) had three sons:-

Oliver-Kiwa Barnett (known as Barney Barnett), born 11 Apr 1916, married Elaine Joyce Valentine

Matthew Garry Barnett, born 6 Jun 1918, married Merle Fraser Stewart

Brian Woodman Barnett, born c1924

Alice May Barnett, or Topsy as she was known throughout her younger days, married Joseph Thomas Bridgman (Joe) born 2 Sep 1889. Joe died at the age of 70 years on 1 Oct 1960 and Topsy lived for another twenty years, joining her husband at rest in 1979. Their children were:-

Margery May Bridgman, born 10 May 1919

Joan Mary Bridgman, born 7 Jul 1920

Maureen Bridgman, born 4 Jun 1922, became Maureen Bell.

Matthew Barnett Bridgman, born 1931, married Helen Mercer.

Kate Elizabeth Barnett married Edmund James Bridgman born in Lyttelton on 5 Nov 1893. The wedding took place in Christchurch on 14 Nov 1923, five years after Kate’s sister Topsy had married Edmund’s brother Joe.

Kate and Edmund had two sons, then a daughter:-

John Raymond Bridgman, born 10 Sep 1924, married Olive Searle.

Derek Michael Bridgman, born 2 Aug 1928, married Mary Frances Kennedy

Janette Frances Bridgman, born 11 Dec 1931, became Janette Kernick.

Tui Frances Barnett married Alton Philipson Taylor (known as Phil Taylor) born in Invercargill on 19 Jun 1900. The venue for their wedding was Christchurch, on 27 Aug 1927. Tui died on 12 Dec 1962 in Napier, and Phil on 14 Feb 1988. Tui and Phil were pleased to welcome a daughter to their family:-

Mary Pamela Taylor, born 16 Oct 1930 , became Mary Poynton, then Mary Ramsey.

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