Wadestown Butcher

David Taylor was born in Scotland in 1854. On Christmas Day in 1882, he married Lydia Harper Thomson Aitcheson at Cherry Farm, Waikouaiti in Otago. She was born on board a ship at the Otago Heads in 1860. They had five children and initally lived in Mosgiel where David was a butcher.

Within a few years, the family moved to Wellington and David joined the United Butchers Association. He became their treasurer in 1887 and then secretary in 1888. He was part of the committee organising the 1888 Butcher’s Picnic at Newtown Park (the seventh annual picnic held). The day began with a procession from Government Buildings through the city. It featured decorated carts, horses, busses and riders in ancient and modern costume headed by a first class band. Games at the parks were running, jumping, dancing, swinging, Aunt Sally, cricket and rounders. Toys were gifted to children too.

Prior to owning his own shop, David was a driver for the Gear Meat Company. The family lived in Brook Street, Thorndon during the 1890s before the move to Wadestown and the opening of David’s family butcher shop.

In 1905, David was charged with a breach of the ‘preference clause’ of the Butchers’ Award. This was due to his employing George Douglas who was a non-unionist, when there were unemployed union members available. George had represented himself as being a member of the union, though he later discovered he had been struck off for not paying his fees. The case was dismissed.

David was made bankrupt in 1913. His secured creditors totalled £750 and his debts £638 and book debts of £240. The unsecured creditors included £100 to his wife Lydia. In 1915, Lydia applied for a separation order from David who had moved to Balclutha. After hearing the evidence, his Worship refused to make an order.

Lydia died in 1924 and his buried at Karori Cemetery. David died in 1928 and is buried in Balclutha Old Cemetery.

The photo has been dated as 1890 by National Library. However St Luke’s church to the right of the shop was built in 1908.

David Taylor

Wadestown Butcher

Elizabeth Cowles

Charles & Mary Ann Godber

Wellington Boots