The Massey Homestead, 1852 – 1980

This poem by Dora Christine Rogers (née Massey) tells the story of the Massey Homestead, Massey Road, Mangere East. William Ferguson Massey, later to become Prime Minister of New Zealand, bought the house in 1890. Then known as ‘Franklynne’, it was retained by the Massey family until 1978, then sold to Manukau City Council for use as a community centre. The poem was first published by Mrs Rogers in booklet form in 1980, and is here reproduced by permission.

WELCOME TO THE MASSEY HOMESTEAD

THE GATES OF HOME

The gates of home swing wide with welcoming arms
to shrubs and flowers planted up the drive
to Nature’s beauty blending home with garden
Pohutukawa reaching to the sky.

May all who enter feel the warmth of welcome
May all who leave have blessings deep and true
May happy memories of this home and garden
remain, refresh and strengthen you.

STANDING ON THE STAIRS

Standing on the stairs,
I pause –
Memories surge around
of other days
and other years,
where childhood dreams
are found.

Here years ago
Prince Alfred stayed,
the son of Queen Victoria,
to hunt on Mangere’s
fertile soil
and see New Zealand farmland.

Here Grandpa lived
with his family,
when Prime Minister
of New Zealand, -
from nineteen twelve
until he died in
nineteen hundred and twenty five.

Here news was brought
that their son George
was wounded at the Somme
and here were griefs
and sorrows shared
of New Zealanders it was.

Then Grandpa went to England where
he met King George the Fifth.
He signed the Treaty of Versailles
In Nineteen hundred and nineteen –
the hope for World peace.

He conferred with Empire leaders,
Churchill was a young man then.
New Zealand did her best to aid
the Empire’s post-war plan.

Grandpa lived by the Bible
He was Grand Master of the Lodge.
He refused a knighthood offered
because the glory was with God.

After thirty-one years in parliament,
in nineteen twenty five,
while serving as Prime Minister
of this land he loved, he died.

For her service to this country
through so many troubled years,
Grandma was honoured by the crown and
made a Dame of the British Empire.
The honour was bestowed here, -
in the room at the right
of the first
stair.

When her life on earth was over,
she was buried by his side
on the headland at Point Halswell
near the Parliament he served.

This home is full of memories
of laughter and of tears –
I share these thoughts
of other days, while
standing

on

the

stairs

 
STANDING ON THE STAIRS

Part 2

Standing on the stairs,
I pause –
Memories surge around
of other days
and other years,
where childhood dreams
are found.

The steady stream of life
flowed on again
and George and Dora with
their five children
moved to the family home
at Mangere.

The scars of war have healed
and George restored
to health and his profession
of solicitor.
His love of gardening
in this fertile soil
produced and orchard
of fruit and vegetables.
Jersey cows gave
creamy milk each day.
New laid eggs
felt warm in nests of hay.
Sheep munched grass
in quiet peacefulness
and new born lambs
brought springtime happiness.

With a framework of the old trees
and the homestead and the lawn,
Dora formed the driveway from the gate
to welcome all who came,
with shrubs and flowers and beauty
in the harmony of home.

Through the rooms, with loving care,
she placed the flowers
growing there,
so that the home
with beauty shone
and cheered all those
it smiled upon.

Around the walls
hung paintings
of New Zealand
outdoor scenes –
of hills and gullies
and of native bush.
Creative talents,
well expressed,
in tune with life
and peacefulness.

In the little sitting room,
self-autographed,
serene,
hung photos
of another George –
the King,
and his Queen.

Peaceful family life was ended
when the second World War came.
Another generation fought
against the evil power
that killed and maimed
and tortured helpless victims.

Hitler died. –
War ended.
Our brothers came home then.

The post-war world developed
with machines and aeroplanes,
flights around the world
and re-building after pain.

Through the changes
and the problems
and the heartaches
and the fears,
the beauty of the garden
shed her light on passing years.

The shrubs matured
at “Franklynne”
and the trees grew
strong and tall.
The beauty of the garden
spread its peace
over all.

When her life on earth was ended,
the pleasure that she shared
with gardening friends, was carried on
in friendship, through the years.
In her memory,
the Mangere Franklynne Garden Club was
 formed
In friendship
it has grown with roots deep and strong.

The friends who formed the
Garden Club,
met there –
In the room at the right
of the first
stair.

When his time on earth was over
George wished this family home
to be used by those who love it
in this land where we belong
to help create a world of truth,
of beauty and of peace;
and to build upon the basis
of family happiness.

This family home,
we place in loving care –
God bless and guide
all those who enter here.

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