Shifting through old photos which left from our uncle Norman via Uncle John through our late grandmother – Biddy Masters nee Watkinson.
I came across this photo – a chap and a car outside the homestead or one of the worker’s homestead at Ruakura Research Centre. I don’t recall it was one of the Watkinson boys except for Uncle Johny Watkinson.
Surrounding Ruakura lands, there were many wetlands and forests in the 1800s then came in the 1900s, the wetlands and forests were removed to make a way to establish intensive farming activities and the Ruakura AgResearch Station was formed in the early 1900s. I will type more about the history of Ruakura in the next blog.
Our ancestors – the Watkinson families, came down to the Waikato area before moving to Ruakura and Hamilton from Walton which just outside our home – Eureka. For I know that uncle Johny worked there after shifting to Ruakura from Walton and his nephew Ernest Watkinson helped him out. Then came along our grandfather – Alan Masters for he was called ‘Shorty’ at the Ruakura Research Station. He met Hilda – Biddy there at the dance club.
During the school holidays, Shorty always took me out to Ruakura Station and helped him out or to meet other families who have children to play with me. I have had so many memories during my childhood. The homesteads are not there anymore for I will try to find the map and buildings back 1920s.
Today Ruakura Centre – AgResearch Centre is a hub between Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland. I travel to /from work each day and I noticed there has been a lot of developments out there.
Life in Eureka 