Charles Frederick BUSCKE

1878 - 1953  (75 years)

• Name	Charles Frederick BUSCKE
  Birth	16 Oct 1878	Patea, Taranaki, New Zealand   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1903  [2]
  	Clerk, Gisborne
  Occupation	1908  [3]
  	Land Agent, Gisborne
  Occupation	1919  [1, 4]
  	Accountant, Gisborne
  Occupation	1930  [2]
  	Stock Broker, Auckland
  Death	19 Dec 1953	Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand   [5, 6]
  Cremation	21 Dec 1953	Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand   [1]
  Probate	19 Sep 1955	Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand   [5, 7]
  Person ID	I9358	NZ Genealogy Project
  Last Modified	15 Feb 2021

  
  

  Father	Wilhelm Louis BUSCKE,   b. 24 Oct 1832, Sovetsk, Kaliningrad, Russia d. 25 Jun 1912, Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand (Age 79 years)
  Mother	Wilhelmina VOGEL,   b. 13 Nov 1845, Tabor, South Bohemian, Czech Republic d. 06 Jun 1918, Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand (Age 72 years)
  Marriage	28 Mar 1864	Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand   [1]
  Family ID	F881	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Mary Dinah Helen EGLINTON [Nellie and Helen Dinah],   b. 09 Nov 1881, Wharekauhau, Wairarapa, New Zealand d. 18 Jan 1964, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand (Age 82 years)
  Marriage	12 Jan 1905	Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand   [1, 8]
  Children	1. Olga Marie BUSCKE,   b. 20 Nov 1905, Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand d. 22 Aug 1996, Culverden, Canterbury, New Zealand (Age 90 years)   2. Lorna Cecily BUSCKE,   b. 14 Nov 1908, Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand d. 07 Feb 1980, Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand (Age 71 years)   3. Eric Charles BUSCKE,   b. 03 Sep 1910, Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand d. 26 Mar 1980, Kohimarama, Auckland, New Zealand (Age 69 years)
  Family ID	F3142	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	31 Dec 2024

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 16 Oct 1878 - Patea, Taranaki, New Zealand Marriage - 12 Jan 1905 - Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Death - 19 Dec 1953 - Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand Cremation - 21 Dec 1953 - Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand Probate - 19 Sep 1955 - Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Notes

  BIOGRAPHY Charles Frederick BUSCKE the eighth child of Wilhelm Louis BUSCKE and Wilhelmina VOGEL, was born in 1878 at Patea, Taranaki, where his father was Surveyor of Confiscated Lands. He moved to Gisborne when his father was appointed surveyor in Gisborne. His occupation in Gisborne was first listed as Clerk in 1903 by the Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory. Because he worked with accounts, Charles was admitted to the NZ Society of Accountants, although he did not have to pass any examinations. Charles married Mary Dinah Helen EGLINTON in 1905 at Wellington. The couple had two daughters (in 1905 and 1908) and a son (in 1910). The 1908 edition of the Post Office Directory gave Charles's occupation as accountant and land agent, with a full-page advertisement for his real estate business. His business appears to have been highly successful and in 1912 he began a partnership with C.E.W. Parker who paid 700 pounds to join the business in partnership. Charles Buscke was one of the first motorists in the Gisborne district. In 1910 he purchased two cars, a French 4-cylinder Gregoire and a US 7 h.p. Oldsmobile. In January 1912 he had a 30 h.p. Overland car. Many of his pioneering journey's out of Gisborne, were reported in the Poverty Bay Herald (see below). In April 1922 Charles was adjudicated bankrupt, his statement showing debts of 2274 pounds, but subsequent investigation indicated he possibly had debts of over 10,000 pounds. However, his debts were difficult to estimate owing to the poor state of his personal accounts. He was charged and tried for failure to keep proper books of accounts sufficiently setting forth his business transactions and financial position within three years of his bankruptcy. It appears Charles had focused on real estate sales and employed a bookkeeper in the partnership, but failed to properly update his personal books. At the trial, it was argued that the books upon which the charge was based were Charles's private personal books, not his business books as claimed by the Crown. It was argued that Charles was not required to maintain personal accounts, only business accounts, and that his business dealings were recorded in the accounts of Buscke and Parker, those accounts were in a satisfactory state. Accounts for a farming partnership with his brother Robert produced at the trial were also adequate. In summing up the judge noted the case did not involve fraud. The jury were unable to agree on a verdict and the case was re-tried the following day. The jury for the second trial returned a verdict of not guilty. Charles was discharged from bankruptcy on 1 September 1924. Charles and family moved to Remuera, Auckland, and a new company was registered on 22 July 1925: Chas Buscke and Co. Ltd, auctioneers, estate and general agents, capital 200 pounds. The company was liquidated in October 1925. Besides real estate, the company offered mortgage finance, and after liquidation Buscke and Co. continued to advertise finance was available. Based on electoral records and Post Office directories, Charles continued to work as a land agent, provide mortgage finance and as a broker. In Auckland, Charles kept a low profile compared with Gisborne, but frequent newspaper reports occurred of his wife and daughter's social activities. Charles died in 1953 and Dinah in 1964, both at Auckland. Early Gisborne Motorist Mr J. H. Ormond reports having this week disposed of one 4-cylinder Gregoire car to Mr C. Buscke, land agent; also a 7 h.p. Oldsmobile to Mr Buscke's staff, and a 8 h.p. Rover car to Mr Chas. Adair. Mr Ormond has orders for three more cars on hand. He has sold altogether about 40 machines in the district. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 27 August 1910, Page 4. Mr Charles Buscke, who has been on a motoring tour of the North Island with a party of friends, returned to Gisborne this morning. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 22 April 1911, Page 4. BY MOTOR CAR FROM AUCKLAND An interesting motor-car journey was completed this afternoon, when Mr and Mrs Chas. Buscke and Mr and Mrs E. J. Chrisp arrived home after a journey from Auckland, via Rotorua, Taupo, and Napier. The party, left Auckland on Wednesday morning, 3rd inst., and made the run to Rotorua, about 175 miles, in 10 hours (actual traveling), arriving at the thermal center the following day. On reaching the Mamuku hill three cars were found stuck on the heavy climb, and the occupants of one had to spend the night out on the hillside. Mr Buscke's car came over without the least difficulty, although they had been warned about the task. After spending three days at Rotorua, the party proceeded to Taupo, covering the distance in 2¼ hours. Leaving Taupo on Monday morning, the Gisbornites actually reached Napier in time for lunch, cutting out the distance, 108 miles, in 5hrs 10mins, which was declared at Napier to be a record. They left Napier on Tuesday morning, and were stopped in the Esk river, an obstacle which is now being bridged. On reaching Waikare the party stopped there for the night, owing to the rain. At midday yesterday they started out for Gisborne, reaching Tiniroto, notwithstanding the bad road's, in 2½ hours. The roads, they declare, were in a shockingly bad condition, in consequence of the heavy rain. On arrival at Tiniroto it was decided to stay the night, and the journey was resumed this morning, but they were compelled to wait for two hours for the roads to dry. By the time Parikanapa was reached the roads had improved, and the run down from Waerenga-o-kuri was made in fifty minutes. Mr Buscke states that it is a splendid motor journey from Auckland to Napier, but as to the Napier-Gisborne road - well, between Mohaka and Wairoa, particularly, it is absolutely, dangerous after rain. Under such circumstances, the best thing for any motorist to do is to ship his car by boat to Gisborne. Mr Buscke is highly pleased with his new 30 h.p. Overland, in which the journey was made, declaring it is the best model for colonial use yet turned out. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 11 January 1912, Page 6. MOTORISTS' PREDICAMENT. Four Gisborne gentlemen, Messrs C. Buscke and Chrisp (3), who motored through to Wairoa last Thursday, had an unenviable experience on the return journey. The trip was made in Mr Buscke's Overland car, and the ride from Gisborne to Wairoa on Thursday was a pleasant one, the distance being covered in about 4¾ hours. On Friday morning the party set out on their return journey, via Morere. The latter place was reached in good time, but on emerging from the hot baths the Gisbornites found that rain had set in. Under such conditions it would be useless to endeavour to proceed on that route, so a hasty retreat was made to Wairoa. The weather looked more encouraging towards Tiniroto, so away the travellers sped in that direction. However, it had been raining, and at Tiniroto they were advised not to attempt the more hilly road between there and Gisborne. Being anxious to get back to Gisborne, the motorists again retreated to Wairoa, and with sufficient time at their disposal under ordinary conditions, they turned their faces towards Napier, in the hope of catching the steamer on Friday night for Gisborne. Several motor cars were met en route, and the drivers said they had got along all right, but they feared a southerly storm was following them. Unfortunately for the Gisbornites, this proved only too true, for on reaching Mohaka they ran into heavy rain. There was nothing for it but for the night to be spent at Mohaka. Next day a bold effort was made to reach Gisborne via Tiniroto. The roads were in a shocking condition, and even wagons were delayed on account of the mud in various places. Nevertheless, the strong Overland car behaved splendidly, and got through some bad places which appeared almost impassable. On numerous occasions the car had to be dug out, and in these experiences the party received valuable assistance from natives along the road. After a strenuous day, Te Reinga was reached, and it was mutually agreed to abandon the car for the time being. A tramp was then made to Mr Glassford's place, where the weary, dishevelled ana mud-bespattered travellers spent the night. Next day Mr Glassford drove them to Parikanapa, where they were met by Mr C. Parker's car, and in that they were brought on to Gisborne, which was reached last evening. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 13 October 1913, Page 4. MOTORING ADVENTURES. The concluding stages of the journey in which Mr C Buscke's motor car was concerned were even more sensational than the earlier events. It will be remembered that Mr Buscke and a party had to abandon his car at Te Reinga last Saturday night when endeavouring to reach Gisborne from Wairoa, after making unsuccessful efforts to come via Morere, and to reach Napier. Messrs W. Roland and M. Dougherty went to Te Reinga to fetch the car home. When they reached the spot where the car had been left they found it half buried in mud, and the back axle pulled out. A draught horse was requisitioned to haul the car on to firmer ground, where the axle was repaired, and a start was made on Monday morning. The car had to be hauled and pushed over the worst places and up hills, and Tiniroto was reached at 1 p.m., it having taken five hours to cover about eight miles. The next eight miles, to Ahimanu, were travelled in three hours, but just after that the car plunged into what appeared to be a bottomless bog. Here the two men worked until almost midnight, when, weary and worn, they curled up in the car to sleep. When they awoke next morning, they found the car had sunk another foot. Fortunately, some shepherds came along, and with their assistance the car was extricated once more. During the 14 hours the progress made was about four feet. It took 5½ hours to go the next four miles to Parikariapa. The adventurers had not gone far after leaving the bog when they ran out of benzine, and they had to walk a couple of miles to Parikanapa for a fresh supply. From Parikanapa better progress was made, and Gisborne was reached about 4 p.m. on Tuesday. A glance at the car and the mud bespattered travellers left no doubt as to the kind of experience they had come through. Until the flats were reached the car could only travel on the low gear, as the high gear had got twisted. Several times the steering gear got out of order, and there were some hairbreadth escapes from skidding over the side of the road. When descending some of the hills, so slippery was the road that the car practically slid down broadside on. It was really remarkable how the journey, which was considered an almost impossible one, was completed at all. Undoubtedly it was through the physical strength of Mr Dougherty and the mechanical skill of Mr Roland that the undertaking was so successfully accomplished. The experience was an undisputable testimony of the worth of the Overland car, for it came through the ordeal with an astonishingly small amount of damage. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 16 October 1913, Page 3. A good day's travelling was accomplished by Mr C. Buscke and party yesterday. The party set out for Napier, via Morere and Wairoa, in Mr Buscke's motor car, at 6 a.m. yesterday. A halt was made at Nuhaka for lunch, and Napier was reached at 5 p.m. An hour later Mr Buscke and J. Nicholls left for Wairoa, where they arrived about midnight. Wairoa was left at 5 o'clock this morning, and a period of about two hours was spent at Morere, Gisborne being reached shortly before 11 o'clock. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 24 November 1913, Page 6. GISBORNE TO OPOTIKI. Mr Charles Buscke has earned the distinction of being the first motorist to negotiate the trip between Gisborne and Opotiki on the newly-opened road from Motu. Advice was received in town to-day from the Bay of Plenty centre that Mr Buscke reached Opotiki safely yesterday afternoon. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 20 February 1914, Page 6. BY MOTOR CAR TO OPOTIKI. "MOST DANGEROUS JOURNEY IN THE DOMINION." For some months past several local motorists have been waiting the opportunity to essay the journey from Motu to Opotiki. Whilst the road has been sufficiently open to enable a coach service to be initiated a few weeks ago, the dangerous nature of the narrow ledge carved out high on the precipitous hill sides, and the frequency of slips completely blocking the way, has up till now precluded, even the most venturesome. Yesterday, however, as briefly reported in our last issue, Mr Charles Buscke gained the distinction of driving the first motor car across this mountainous road. Telegraphic advice of the success of the journey only reached town yesterday afternoon, and his friends were surprised to see Mr Buscke back in town. BLOCKED BY SLIPS. With a view to gathering some information for the guidance of other motorists Mr Buscke was seen by a Herald representative this morning. He said he left Gisborne on Wednesday afternoon for Motu, having business at Toatoa. He ascertained that there were about 30 men employed on the road, and they had instructions to have the road clear on Wednesday to permit the coach to get through. Some doubt was expressed as to the feasibility of taking the motor to Toatoa, which is about half-way between Motu and Opotiki, but the Gisbornite essayed to take his car as far as possible. About ten miles from Motu, it was found that the road workers had brought down a slip to widen a narrow part and the track was completely blocked. There were half-a-dozen men in the gang, and they expressed the opinion it would be quite impossible to proceed. However, by dint of some strenuous pick and shovel work in which motorists and all joined, a sufficient track was made over the debris. There was a sheer rock cliff above, and below, and the track was covered with loose rubble rock. There was no chance of driving the car over, so all hands put their shoulders to the wheels and shoved. To have skidded on the loose rock would have precipitated the car over the precipice, and as it was the vehicle tilted to a dangerous angle. It was held back, however, with crowbars and eventually safely negotiated the dangerous spot. This was at a point just past Christophers. Five miles on the Motu side of Toatoa there was another slip let down and again the gang turned to and helped the motorists over. The road, such as it is, was so narrow in places that the party bad to get out to measure if there was sufficient room to get by, and in hugging the bank the covering of the hood was ripped by the rock, whilst the side of the car was also scratched. The party reached Toatoa by lunch time. HAIR PIN BENDS. At Toatoa there is an excellent cheese factory, and being desirous of making himself acquainted with the access, which existed with Opotiki, Mr Buscke proceeded on to that place. He found it a good road, but narrow, and only an hour And a quarter's run from Toatoa. In fact there were several "hairpin" bends, one in particular, which was the sharpest Mr Buscke declares he has met with in his motoring experience. Had it not been for the remarkably good "lock" of the Overland car, and the satisfactory condition of the brakes, they would certainly have shot over the bank. There were twelve river crossings to negotiate and the motorists were assured that but for the exceptionally dry season they would never have got along. However, they were informed that deviation is to be made that will avoid these. The Maoris were greatly excited at the advent of the motor car and even one of the road makers was so excited when the car showed its nose round a sharp corner that he dropped his shovel and ran. Opotiki was reached about 3.30 p.m. Thursday, and the rest of the afternoon was spent on a run to Mr Hutchinson's and a visit to Ohiwa harbor. Mr Buscke was informed at Toatoa that no car bad ever been seen in that locality before. The motorists left Opotiki at 7 o'clock yesterday on the return journey, and although they spent about an hour on the road, Mr Buscke was back in Gisborne at about 2.45 p.m. He was accompanied by Mr Herbert Brown, of Gisborne, whilst Mr Murray, of Motu, also joined the party at Motu. A WORD OF WARNING. As regards the road, Mr Buscke says he would like to give a word of warning to other motorists who may be thinking of taking on the trip. He frankly confesses that it is the most dangerous trip in New Zealand, and he would not take it on again, except in case of urgent business. It was not an ordinary run, and he would certainty not recommend anyone taking it on as the road is at present, for pleasure. It was very trying on the nerves; in the event of rain was hopeless. The surface is of rubble rock and rather hard on the tyres until worn down, but the frail crumbling edges which have been built up have to be most carefully watched. Motorists should satisfy themselves that their car possessed a sufficiently wide "lock" and it was absolutely necessary that their brakes should be in perfect working order and hard set. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 21 February 1914, Page 5. ROUGH ROAD FOR MOTORS. Motu to Opotiki The road from Motu to Opotiki is in a very bad state, and slips from the hillsides have in some parts blocked the track and prevented motorists for some time past from undertaking the journey. Mr. Charles Buscke, however, left Gisborne on Wednesday afternoon for Motu in his motor-car, and determined to go on as far as Opotiki. Twelve river crossings had to be negotiated on the journey, and at times the car tilted dangerously when passing precipitous spots. Finally Opotiki was reached, and the return journey made to Gisborne. Mr. Buscke states that he would like to give a word of warning to other motorists who may be thinking of taking the trip. Except in the case of urgent business he would never undertake the journey again. Source New Zealand Herald. BY MOTOR CAR TO ROTORUA. The widening and improvement of the Motu-Opotiki road has opened up an extensive new stretch of country to local motorists this season. Mr Chas. Buscke, who has just returned from a trip through as far as Rotorua, declares that the Motu-Opotiki route is infinitely more attractive and enjoyable than the longer and more trying journey via Napier and Taupo. With the widening of the road beyond Motu the trip to Opotiki can now be accomplished in less than four hours from Motu, or easily in seven hours from Gisborne. There is splendid bush scenery across the Ruakumara range, and the road is now quite safe for motoring. It is twelve months since Mr Buscke essayed the first motor tour across to Opotiki, and since then he declares that considerable improvement has been effected. The track has been widened, and sharp points taken off, there being between 200 and 300 men employed on the road. Blasting is being carried on in between coach days, widening the road, and on the return journey a slip had come down, but the men were very courteous, and besides cutting a track over the slip, they assisted in pushing the car over the obstacle. On reaching the Opotiki side there are fifteen crossings to negotiate, but a deviation is being made round the hillside which will obviate these altogether. In the meantime, the crossings at present are easily fordable. Of the journey from Opotiki the Gisbornite is enraptured. On account of the ferry at Ohiwa being out of repair the journey was made via Waimana and Taneatua, and the roads were excellent. In fact, the trip thence through Te Teko, Whakatane, and past the three lakes - Rotoma, Rotoihu, and Rotoiti - skirting the water's edge the seven miles drop down to the lakes, together with the bush scenery, makes it, Mr Buscke declares, one of the finest motor tours in the Dominion. As to the distance, he declares it is nothing, two days of seven hours each being quite sufficient to take a motorist, with consistent driving right from Gisborne to Rotorua. In fact, Mr Buscke and his party were bathing at Whakarewarewa at 12.50 p.m., and they were in at Opotiki at 7.30 the same evening. The journey via Taupo on the other hand occupies three days steady going. Source Poverty Bay Herald, 14 January 1915, Page 7.

  
  

• Sources

  [S114] Not Recorded, RootsWeb.com, (http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com). Samantha J Marshall. [sjm2002 ] [S298] Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory, (H. Wise & Co. (N.Z.), Ltd., Dunedin), none. [S24] Papers Past - Poverty Bay Herald, (Papers Past - National Library of New Zealand), none. [S614] NZ Electoral Rolls, 1853-2010, (Ancestry.co.uk.), none. [S1982] Archives New Zealand Online - Probate File, (Archives New Zealand, https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz). [S642] NZ BDM - Historical Records - DATES, (Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, New Zealand). [S17] David Bryant, NZSG Index, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc., 2005). Probate record [S24] Papers Past - Poverty Bay Herald, (Papers Past - National Library of New Zealand), none. MARRIAGE. BUSCKE - EGLINTON. - On January 12th, 1905, at St, Mark's Church, Wellington, by the Rev. R. Coffey, M.A., Charles Frederick, third son of W. L. Buscke, of Gisborne, to Helen, youngest daughter of the late Henry Eglinton, of Wellington. - Published 28 January 1905