Introduction

There have been many historians and authors interested in the New Zealand Wars of the last century,  and of the books which have been produced many contain references to the Smith family of the Papakura Valley and to their farmhouse home,  which they named The Travellers’ Rest.

It was later to become well known as an inn,  particularly during the New Zealand War period 1863-64.

Benjamin and Martha Smith of Wairoa South,  now Ardmore,  offered hospitality to many of the well-known people of the time.  Bishop Selwyn and Governor Grey were frequent visitors,  as were the Rev. Lush, General Cameron,  Major William Jackson,  Gustavus von Tempsky,  Major (later Colonel) William Lyon and Major Gilbert Mair,  to name a few.  The idea of a corps of Forest Rangers was fully discussed across their dining table,  and for a time The Travellers’ Rest was headquarters for the Rangers after the corps was finally formed.  Their second and third sons,  Peter and Ezra  Smith,  were early recruits to the Forest Rangers,  and each received the New Zealand War Medal for service under action.  Peter Smith was for some months guide to Major von Tempsky on patrols through the Hunua Ranges.

Of visitors to the inn,  the Reverend Vicesimus Lush and Major von Tempsky each kept a Journal.  Among books and papers mentioning the Smith family are:

G.F. von Tempsky.  ‘Memorandum of the New Zealand Campaign in 1863 and 1864’.  Wellington,  Alexander Turnbull Library.  MS.

The Auckland Journals of Vicesimus Lush,  1850 – 63.  Edited by Alison Drummond,  Christchurch:  Pegasus,  1971.

Jean Bartlett.  The Emigrants,  Auckland:  Jean Bartlett,  1974.

James Cowan.  The New Zealanders:  A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period. Vol 1.  Wellington:  Government Printer,  1922 – 3.

John Featon.  The Waikato War,  1863-4.  Auckland:  Wickham,  1879.

J.C. Andersen and G.C. Petersen.  The Mair Family.  Wellington:  Reed,  1956.

A.E. Tonson.  Old Manukau.  Auckland:  Tonson Publishing House,  1966.

C.W. Vennell.  The Brown Frontier:  New Zealand Historical Stories and Studies,  1806 – 1877.  Wellington: Reed,  1967.

W.T. Parnham.  Von Tempsky, Adventurer:  A Biography of Major Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky,  1828 – 68.  London :  Hodder and Stoughton,  1969.

J.C.  Auckland Star.  “Dangerous Days” printed 9 March 1935.

I hope that the many descendants of Ben and Martha find enjoyment in reading about their forbears,  and that all readers are helped to look back with pride to the achievements of thousands of other couples whose names are now lost to us.