Named after Major General Sir Francis Hepburn, born 1779, the Scotsman who commanded the Battalion of Guards at Waterloo in 1815.
In the meantime he was aide-de-camp to General W. P. Acland in Malta and Sicily but was laid up with fever and ophthalmia during the battle of Maida. He joined his battalion at Cadiz and his leg was shattered at the battle of Barossa during the Peninsula War. He refused to submit to amputation and when he recovered enough, he rejoined his battalion, even though his wound remained open, causing frequent and severe suffering during subsequent campaigns. At the end of 1813, he was ordered home to take command of his regiment in an expedition to Holland. He joined the Duke of Wellington’s army in 1815, and commanded his battalion at the Battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo and along with other troops occupied Chateau Hugoumont which was was one of the first places where British and other allied forces faced Napoleon's army.
Later Hepburn and his troops were posted in the Chateau’s orchard, an important service, the credit of which was mistakenly given to a junior office. The error was explained officially but never made public so consequently Hepburn was deprived of the higher honours awarded to other senior officers. He was made C.B. which was The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, a British order of chivalry founded by George I. He also had fourth-class decorations of the Netherlands Lion, a Dutch order Chivalry founded by William I and from Alexander Nevski, the Grand Prince of Kiev. He married an heiress in 1821 with whom he had two sons and a daughter. He died at Tunbridge Wells in 1835, aged 56 years.
Hepburn Street was named after the redoubtable Sir Francis Hepburn. The city also had the foresight to plant it with Platanus acerifolia, or plane trees that thankfully are on the Auckland Council’s list of Notable Trees and likely to remain there for succeeding generations to enjoy. In the Saturday edition of the Auckland Star, Auckland author and journalist, Jack Leigh wrote an extensive article about the rise and fall of Hepburn Street. It appeared 27 October, 1973 and, oh my gosh, how things have changed! He interviewed several people who had first-hand knowledge of Freemans Bay, some who probably are no longer alive.
Early pioneers viewed the street as a desirable place to live with its views of the harbour and proximity to the industries that were established in the young colony. The street flourished when several fine old homes were built that backed onto Western Park. Number 17 which particularly exemplifies its best years has historical significance in that Captain Daldy of the Auckland Harbour Board Tug fame lived there and in later years when it was converted into flats some former tenants regaled Jack with tales of what they’d heard about the lifestyles enjoyed in those far-off days.
The 1866-67 Auckland Directory lists 29 residents living on the street. Among them was a well-sinker, a ginger beer manufacturer, a merchant, a stonemason and seven carpenters. By 1891 the the list had swelled to 41 residents and increased further to 79 in 1901.
The street now was populated in the main by what is termed, ‘the working class’. There were four merchants, six mariners, three wharfies, two engineers, a carter, a blacksmith, a chimney sweep and seven carpenters. Add engine drivers, railway employees and boiler makers to this mix. The ‘middle class’ was conspicuous by its absence and the ‘upper class’ had decamped to mansions in the eastern suburbs.
Now its status has changed big time. Any property that comes up for sale is ripe picking for developers and investors who have closed ordinary folk out of the market. And forget about diversity. Polynesians have gone and with them the street’s once special character.
(DEIRDRE ROELANTS)