John Rod

During the 1800s, many of Britain’s workers were looking toward the developing colonies in the hope of finding a better lifestyle. The New Zealand Company (NZC) took this opportunity to attract agricultural labourers and mechanics to New Zealand by offering them free passage to their new homeland.[1] The individuals who seized this opportunity appear in the 19th Century immigration records, unfortunately, most fare paying passengers are not recorded. The date and circumstances of John Rod’s arrival in New Zealand remain unclear; however, his new life in the colony is well documented including his close links with several other migrants including: Jabez Marks, Henry Saint, Thomas Bosher and Edward Llewellyn Jones.

John William Rod was born in Egham, Surrey, the son of John Rod (1827-1901), a carpenter, and Elizabeth Pickett (1829-1903). The Rod family lived in Langham Place until 1870, when they assumed the surname "George" and moved to a new home at Victoria Place, Egham. At that time, 14 year old John Rod (alias John George) was living with his parents and working as a labourer. Family historian, Shirley Ritchie (1984), suggests that he migrated to New Zealand around 1876.[2]

In 1878, John married Elizabeth Bosher (1861-1942). Initially, they lived in Porirua and then moved to Johnsonville in 1887.[3] John and Elizabeth produced one son, George William Rod (1878-1938) and four daughters, Elizabeth Harriet Rod (1880–1962), Annie Eliza Rod (1882-1962), Lilly Elizabeth Rod (1885-1967) and Ann Lucy Violet Rod (1887-1972).[4] By 1896, John's parents and his siblings had also migrated to New Zealand where they resided with him in Johnsonville. Notably, after using the alias "George" for about twenty years the family was again using the surname "Rod".[5] In 1892, John became the guardian of his sister-in-law, Harriet Mary Jones' three young sons, moving them to his home and providing education in Johnsonville.[6]

By 1909, John and Elizabeth had health problems and made the first of several overseas trips seeking treatment.[7] John died on 13 January 1920 aged 63y in his home at Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville and was buried in (the old) Porirua Cemetery.[8]John's obituary noted his civic contributions and his business life, describing him as "a well-respected…man of progressive ideas".[9]

About 1876, John Rod commenced operating a slaughter yard at Porirua Ferry (now Porirua)[2] and Ritchie (1984) states that this was also the location of his first butcher shop. His slaughter yard was probably the source of meat for the butchers shop trading as Rod Marks & Co, in Adelaide Road. In August 1879, the directors of Rod Marks & Co; John Rod, Jabez Marks and Henry Saint, attended a creditors meeting and appear to have narrowly escaped bankruptcy.[10] Subsequently, John continued to reside at Porirua Ferry, but using Thomas Bosher's address, he offered to lease a shop and also a slaughter house and paddock.[11] John’s brother, Henry Rod, arrived in 1884 and joined the staff of J Rod & Co later establishing his own butcher shop in Constable Street.[12] In 1887, John took a lease to purchase a house and shop on the corner of Main Road and Railway Terrace, Johnsonville.[13] By 1890, John's brother, James Rod, had joined him at Johnsonville and together they traded as "Rod Bros", eventually opening another butchers shop at 51 Courtenay Place.[14] John acquired a modest butcher shop on the corner of Johnsonville Rd and Frankmoore Ave, later increasing it to two stories with the interior decorated with the same cattle themed tiles imported from England that also adorned his Courtenay Place shop.[15][16] John became Vice-President of the United Butchers Association during 1900.[17]

From 1900 to 1902, John was responsible for the construction of the first building of any importance in Courtenay Place. Situated on the eastern corner of Allen Street and Courtenay Place, "Rod's Building" is of brick construction; originally it had three stories, two large ventilators on the roof, a cellar and stables at the rear (now 23 Allen Street).[18] However, John was frustrated by delays caused by his architect, Thomas S. Lambert, in the completion of the building and the increased building cost from an estimated £4500 to £8472.[19] He was further incensed by Lambert’s fees, an issue that had to be resolved in the Magistrates Court. The building is now heritage listed and by 1955, it had been reduced to two stories, probably due to earthquake damage.[20]

John built several houses in Aurora St and Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville, one of which was situated on the corner of Burgess and Aurora Streets.[21] In 1903, John was appointed to the board of directors of the Wellington and Marlborough Cement, Lime and Coal Company[22] however, he remained a significant meat supplier operating two slaughter houses, one in Johnsonville and also at the Porirua site until it was destroyed by fire in 1908.[23]

John had a keen interest in civic matters and became a JP in 1889 and in September 1898, he was elected as one of the five commissioners for the Town District of Johnsonville. He served several terms becoming Chairman of the Town Board. In 1909, he presided over negotiations to have electric lighting and power for public and private use installed in Johnsonville by Norman Heath & Co.[24] In 1910, Rod considered proposals to provide water and drainage to the district.

During the 1800s, Joshua Prosser promoted horse racing on the southern tidal flats of Porirua Harbour resulting in race events that became of national interest.[25] John Rod was the first secretary of the Porirua Jockey Club[26] and by 1894, he was the secretary of the Johnsonville and Hutt County Trotting Club. In 1909, he was vice president of Wellington Kennel Club.[27]

John and Elizabeth Rod with some family members were driving their trap past the Johnsonville Railway station when "the engine was started almost under the nose of their horse." The horse bolted and the trap overturned. As a result, Elizabeth, her sister and John's ward, Roy Jones, were "considerably bruised".[32] Apparently, John liked a whisky or two. On 7 June 1905, he escaped death when he was knocked down by a tram in Courtenay Place. He suffered a fractured jaw and several broken teeth. Police stated was heavily intoxicated and that when he regained consciousness he asked if he had been fighting.[33]