Ernest Bennett

Northland storekeeper

The Store on Glenmore Street, Northland was first advertised for lease when newly constructed in June 1908 as ‘two shops with double-fronted windows (plate glass), 5 living rooms, hot and cold water, gas, fireproof construction, at the junction of roads to Kelburne, Northland and Karori, near Viaduct and Karori tunnel; a magnificent opening for the establishment of a country store’ – F & W Ferkins, Ghuznee Street and Victoria Place. F & W Ferkins were builders and financiers.

John Rainbow Stansell, a Shannon Land Agent purchased the property. He not only advertised the shops and flat for let, but also the availability of advertising space on the Store front. The two shops were available at 15s a week each. The shops must have been connected and were eventually let in 1911 to Ernest Arthur Bennett who traded as the Universal Supply Stores. Ernest was born in Staffordshire, England in 1888. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1909. He was a younger son and both of his parents had died.

In 1915, Ernest Bennett sold the business and some equipment in preparation to return to England. He put up for sale Dayton Scales, Templeton Cheese Cutter, two Horses, Cart and Harness. On his Once in England, Ernest attempted to enlist for the armed services but was rejected because of kidney trouble. Being told he had no chance of ever seeing active service, he was told he was better to return to New Zealand and carry on his business.

Ernest returned to Wellington with two of his sisters. Ernest purchased James Russell’s store at Northland shops. His sisters both invested in the business. Ernest thought there was no possibility he would be called upon to serve, so he made some large financial commitments. At his new store, Ernest Bennett advertised groceries, draper, ironmongery etc ‘all goods at town prices’.

In 1917, Ernest was called up in the New Zealand ballot and given 13 days to report to Camp. Despite providing his medical history he was classed as A – Fit For Service. Ernest appealed, asking for four months leave to give him time to teach his brother-in-law how to run the business. This was granted. He married Winifred Mary Simons on 10th November 1917 and on 31st December 1917, Ernest went overseas with the 33rd Reinforcements. He was killed in action on the field in Bapaume, France on 26th August 1918. Ernest was buried at Vaulx Hill Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Winifred remarried in 1922 to Leslie Brake. She died in Christchurch in 1944 and is buried in an unmarked plot at Karori Cemetery. Karori Cemetery Plot: *Ch Eng 2/O/472

[ca 1925] Retail shop on Glenmore Street, between the Karori Tunnel and the Kelburn Viaduct, circa 1925. Northland Road is to the right, out of the picture. The firm of S W Moult, motor and electrical engineer is visible, as are signs advertising Nelson, Moate & Co's pure tea, Sunlight soap, Lifebuoy soap, Bate's, Britannia Tyres, Velox and Champion Tyres. Also visible is a girl in the foreground alongside a wheelchair/pram type apparatas, seated in which, is another child. Photographer unidentified.

New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives. Ref: 1/2-099988-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23109078