Post researched and written by David Murray, Archivist

There are many photographs of sombre-faced Victorians in the Hocken Collections, but few first-hand accounts of the circumstances and experiences surrounding their creation. A photo titled ‘Joes Cabin’ comes with a description that might change first impressions. Taken at Silverstream Valley near Dunedin on 28 December 1886, it is pasted into a trip diary of John Elder Moultray. A professional artist, born in Edinburgh, Moultray was in his early twenties. ‘Joe’ is identified as ‘Joe C – a man who works on the [water] Race’, with a cabin in the Silverstream Valley. On Christmas Day the two men shared hunting tales at Whare Flat. Moultray recorded: ‘As it was now getting late Joe left to go to his cabin and as I have promised to photograph not only it but himself wife and baby as well he is thoroughly delighted at the prospect of being took’.

On 28 December, Moultray wrote: ‘Really and Truly this is actually a fine day. Now don’t look astonished but get your hat and come out? After breakfast I took the camera and went over to Joes to fulfil my promise. The sun shone brilliantly. The birds were chattering with spasmodic delight, you see the poor beggers have never any tax-gatherers coming around at akward [sic] times to damp their ardour. Henry who accompanied me took up his place in the background to view the proceedings. The camera was set, then over I went and knocked softly at the door, as the door opened I saw enough to cause me regret that I had come. The preparation that was going forward was startling, then there was a desperate struggle to prevent asking if they expected the Queen around. Joes better half led the van carrying her first baby which rolled its eyes dreadfully for the camera and then fixed them on its fathers shirt sleeve in such a marked manner that all eyes naturally followed its steady stare, which made Joe look rather sheepish as he had turned out without his coat to show his contempt for fashion and his feminine companions weakness in donning their best. However I always admire a man of principal and Joe at least strives to act up to his. Next comes Joes mother-in-law, a thoroughly practical old lady with plenty breadth of beam. The Rear was brought up by Joes nephew or grandchild or uncle or grandfather I always get mixed with relationships but he was a little boy in his Sunday togs, who had to be dragged out, but afterwards became interested watching for a beautiful bird to fly out the camera. The adults all struck tragic attitudes and glowered at the lens, an instant afterwards there was a forty horse power sigh went up showing that the deed was done’.

We would love to learn more about the ‘Joe C’ family. The art of John Elder Moultray is represented in the Hocken Collections by 21 oil paintings, mostly landscapes, and a few other works. There is a small collection of his personal papers. Sadly John’s elder brother Henry, who also went on the trip, died just a few months later.

The diary has just been digitised and can be read in full at: https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/66784

Reference: Diary (1886-1887), MS-4847/003, John Elder Moultray papers, Hocken Collections – Te Uare Taoka o Hākena.