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Isabella Aicken holding Florence - Jessie Aicken on front verandah.ca.1899.
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DescriptionStephen Wright.."Collating the history of this former West Coast landmark, along with the other accommodation houses/hotels between Otira and Jacksons, is still a work in progress, so will just pick up on some comments that are posted from time to time. William Russell (Bill) Aicken and his wife Jessie (a daughter of Adam Jackson) were married in 1882. An obituary in April 1933 tells us that William Russell Aicken was a resident of Aickens for over 50 years, working as a roadman until 1910 when he retired. According to his granddaughter, Joyce Graham (nee Evans), the house that belonged to her grandparents originally came from Hokitika, having been dismantled and transported up the Taramakau valley by horse-drawn wagons. Based on the oldest of the visitors books, which survive to this day, their home became an accommodation house in 1895, so it certainly wasn't connected with the early goldrush days as some might think. But in the second half of the 1890s the railway line from Jacksons to Otira was being constructed and there was a lot more activity in the area.
From 1896 it served as the original post office and telephone bureau at Aickens, and while stagecoaches still passed through Aickens, it was a stopping place. The family grew (there were six children) and so did the house - a room here and a verandah there - until it became a low rambling house, including a great raftered kitchen boasting a huge Shacklock stove (coal range) with room for dozens of pots.
Jessie Aicken was a very uncritical person who was renowned for her kindness to guests. Her high silver teapot and appetising cooking were legendary. The dining room featured a long table, with a linen table cloth that could easily have served in a four star hotel.
One visitor in 1920 wrote the following: "The torrents of rain were only surpassed by the size of the fires!! and the liberal fare!!! Mrs Aiken [sic] cannot be equalled for kindness & hospitality. Nothing can exceed the beauty of the place in winter when the snow-covered mountains are visible." By the 1920s, service cars were in their heyday and these regularly stopped at Aickens for morning tea. Guests still stayed there until the 1930s. Over time, the accommodation house - much of which was built too low to the ground - deteriorated and was progressively dismantled. One of the sons, Jim (or Jimmy) Aicken, lived there until the latter part of 1965, although he had his meals at his sister's place nearby (now Ed and Michelle Evans).
In the attached photo which dates from about 1899, Isabella is holding the youngest of the Aicken family, Florence, who went on to marry Jack Evans. Jessie Aicken is standing on the front verandah."
Keston Ruxton
There was a function at Aicken’s to farewell William Aicken in a trip the the UK in April 1913. This was attended by Messrs O’Malley, Davies, all associated with the coaching road and also W Rugg who gave a speech. Greymouth Evening Star 7 April, T 5.
Mandy O'Sullivan
Stephen Wright ... The eldest daughter was Elizabeth who ended up marrying an Australian and second youngest daughter was Jessie named after her mum. She married a Wilson who lived behind the Duke Hotel and two of her children were Neville and Jessie who were well known to people in Greymouth. Neville wore a coat and hat and was often referred to as Spy 13.Date of Photoca.1899Map[1] ContributorStephen Wright
From 1896 it served as the original post office and telephone bureau at Aickens, and while stagecoaches still passed through Aickens, it was a stopping place. The family grew (there were six children) and so did the house - a room here and a verandah there - until it became a low rambling house, including a great raftered kitchen boasting a huge Shacklock stove (coal range) with room for dozens of pots.
Jessie Aicken was a very uncritical person who was renowned for her kindness to guests. Her high silver teapot and appetising cooking were legendary. The dining room featured a long table, with a linen table cloth that could easily have served in a four star hotel.
One visitor in 1920 wrote the following: "The torrents of rain were only surpassed by the size of the fires!! and the liberal fare!!! Mrs Aiken [sic] cannot be equalled for kindness & hospitality. Nothing can exceed the beauty of the place in winter when the snow-covered mountains are visible." By the 1920s, service cars were in their heyday and these regularly stopped at Aickens for morning tea. Guests still stayed there until the 1930s. Over time, the accommodation house - much of which was built too low to the ground - deteriorated and was progressively dismantled. One of the sons, Jim (or Jimmy) Aicken, lived there until the latter part of 1965, although he had his meals at his sister's place nearby (now Ed and Michelle Evans).
In the attached photo which dates from about 1899, Isabella is holding the youngest of the Aicken family, Florence, who went on to marry Jack Evans. Jessie Aicken is standing on the front verandah."
Keston Ruxton
There was a function at Aicken’s to farewell William Aicken in a trip the the UK in April 1913. This was attended by Messrs O’Malley, Davies, all associated with the coaching road and also W Rugg who gave a speech. Greymouth Evening Star 7 April, T 5.
Mandy O'Sullivan
Stephen Wright ... The eldest daughter was Elizabeth who ended up marrying an Australian and second youngest daughter was Jessie named after her mum. She married a Wilson who lived behind the Duke Hotel and two of her children were Neville and Jessie who were well known to people in Greymouth. Neville wore a coat and hat and was often referred to as Spy 13.Date of Photoca.1899Map[1] ContributorStephen Wright
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Location (city or town)AickensPersonWilliam Russell (Bill) AickenJessie AickenIsabella AickenEventAicken Family
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Category TagFamilyOld Houses
From Facebook
Date Created25th October 2021CommentsDorothy Wills
Interesting history
Caroline Dunlop
Practicing social distancing
Rebekah Fairhurst Geer
Excellent info
Mandy O'Sullivan
Her name was Isabella Jane not Isobel
Stephen Wright
Sorry Mandy, that was a slip-up on my part. I've asked one the administrators to change Isobel to Isabella.
Mandy O'Sullivan
Stephen Wright no worries. The eldest daughter was Elizabeth who ended up marrying an Australian and second youngest daughter was Jessie named after her mum. She married a Wilson who lived behind the Duke Hotel and two of her children were Neville and… See
Rebecca Marley
My relatives Craig Adair
Nova Hichens
Love these photo & the style of dressing.
Keston Ruxton
There was a function at Aicken’s to farewell William Aicken in a trip the the UK in April 1913. This was attended by Messrs O’Malley, Davies, all associated with the coaching road and also W Rugg who gave a speech. Greymouth Evening Star 7 April, T 5.
Keston Ruxton
Is this the same building? The fence has a different top but it looks very similar to me.
Stephen Wright
Based on other photos, it looks like the same building to me. One of them shows the same glassed-in end to the verandah.
Jim Webber
Isabella Aicken was my Grandmother, she married John Webber and they settled and raised their family at Kokiri. I have one of the silver Cruet sets that came from the dining room of the coach house. The Cruet set will be passed on to my son and grandson, who is the 4th generation of our family to carry the Aicken name as their second Christian name. ( Russel, James, Joel & Hugo )
Leo Fisher
a real landmark jim
Bruce Keddie
Is this the house near the railway crossing that had a grave behind it ? I am sure I remember my parents stopping there, as I think it was a post office, to use the telephone. If i am correct, that would have been about 1964.
Christine Banks
I too remember Neville and Jessie, although we always referred to them (privately) as the spy and Delta Dawn. Late I her life, Jessie was always made up with dark hair, hat, red lipstick and rouge coloured cheeks. Being older now, I wouldn't refer to them as that anymore. He used to stand on the veranda watching people go by, his coat collar was turned up and with his hat on, he did look the part. They were very much a part of Greymouth. Glad to now know who they were. Perhaps we need more colorful characters in our lives.
Trish Rennie
I remember Neville and Jessie Wilson that lived in Albert St behind the Duke Hotel…..
Martyn Guy
Apologies - pressed the wrong key! I would be very interested to know about Aickens and its role in the making of the road/railway and how/where the workers lived etc. And any pictures of that time concernng the work?
Martyn Guy
I wonder if during your research, Stephen, you (or any others) have any information on the workers at Aickens in that period? My great grandfather, Richard Guy, was working, presumably on the roads or railway (?) in 1898. Following the death of his wife Eleanor in Kumara in March of that year (after giving birth to their son Josselyn) he abandoned the children and was working locally. The West Coast Times was reporting regularly on the failings of Richard to have anything to do with the fate of the children - the Kumara Benvolent Committee was trying to sort out their lives. But the reports to the Committee mention that in August 1898 Richard was at Aickens (having been laid up for seven weeks from blood poisoning) and in September was at Jacksons. In 1899 he had left for the Salvation Army Home near Christchurch - regrettably a lost cause! As with other comments it would be very interesting to know what was the
Keston Ruxton
Great information and good to see more of your great research Stephen Wright. Really good to see all the responding comments too. You can imagine, I was also very interested to see the hotel price list posted by John Crossan below, I think information like that in these posts is one of the best things about learning about the past. You can research for years and think you have found all information available, and then someone shares something new. Please feel you can use the picture of Bill and Mamie (Mary Janet) Rugg and family at Aickens you have seen before and attached again here in any ensuing book. We can send a high def copy if that is helpful. I had seen the article on Bill's speech at Aickens. I assume there was a lot of back and forth between there and Otira in the early twentieth century, and would be interested to know if anything is noted in the guest books.
Interesting history
Caroline Dunlop
Practicing social distancing
Rebekah Fairhurst Geer
Excellent info
Mandy O'Sullivan
Her name was Isabella Jane not Isobel
Stephen Wright
Sorry Mandy, that was a slip-up on my part. I've asked one the administrators to change Isobel to Isabella.
Mandy O'Sullivan
Stephen Wright no worries. The eldest daughter was Elizabeth who ended up marrying an Australian and second youngest daughter was Jessie named after her mum. She married a Wilson who lived behind the Duke Hotel and two of her children were Neville and… See
Rebecca Marley
My relatives Craig Adair
Nova Hichens
Love these photo & the style of dressing.
Keston Ruxton
There was a function at Aicken’s to farewell William Aicken in a trip the the UK in April 1913. This was attended by Messrs O’Malley, Davies, all associated with the coaching road and also W Rugg who gave a speech. Greymouth Evening Star 7 April, T 5.
Keston Ruxton
Is this the same building? The fence has a different top but it looks very similar to me.
Stephen Wright
Based on other photos, it looks like the same building to me. One of them shows the same glassed-in end to the verandah.
Jim Webber
Isabella Aicken was my Grandmother, she married John Webber and they settled and raised their family at Kokiri. I have one of the silver Cruet sets that came from the dining room of the coach house. The Cruet set will be passed on to my son and grandson, who is the 4th generation of our family to carry the Aicken name as their second Christian name. ( Russel, James, Joel & Hugo )
Leo Fisher
a real landmark jim
Bruce Keddie
Is this the house near the railway crossing that had a grave behind it ? I am sure I remember my parents stopping there, as I think it was a post office, to use the telephone. If i am correct, that would have been about 1964.
Christine Banks
I too remember Neville and Jessie, although we always referred to them (privately) as the spy and Delta Dawn. Late I her life, Jessie was always made up with dark hair, hat, red lipstick and rouge coloured cheeks. Being older now, I wouldn't refer to them as that anymore. He used to stand on the veranda watching people go by, his coat collar was turned up and with his hat on, he did look the part. They were very much a part of Greymouth. Glad to now know who they were. Perhaps we need more colorful characters in our lives.
Trish Rennie
I remember Neville and Jessie Wilson that lived in Albert St behind the Duke Hotel…..
Martyn Guy
Apologies - pressed the wrong key! I would be very interested to know about Aickens and its role in the making of the road/railway and how/where the workers lived etc. And any pictures of that time concernng the work?
Martyn Guy
I wonder if during your research, Stephen, you (or any others) have any information on the workers at Aickens in that period? My great grandfather, Richard Guy, was working, presumably on the roads or railway (?) in 1898. Following the death of his wife Eleanor in Kumara in March of that year (after giving birth to their son Josselyn) he abandoned the children and was working locally. The West Coast Times was reporting regularly on the failings of Richard to have anything to do with the fate of the children - the Kumara Benvolent Committee was trying to sort out their lives. But the reports to the Committee mention that in August 1898 Richard was at Aickens (having been laid up for seven weeks from blood poisoning) and in September was at Jacksons. In 1899 he had left for the Salvation Army Home near Christchurch - regrettably a lost cause! As with other comments it would be very interesting to know what was the
Keston Ruxton
Great information and good to see more of your great research Stephen Wright. Really good to see all the responding comments too. You can imagine, I was also very interested to see the hotel price list posted by John Crossan below, I think information like that in these posts is one of the best things about learning about the past. You can research for years and think you have found all information available, and then someone shares something new. Please feel you can use the picture of Bill and Mamie (Mary Janet) Rugg and family at Aickens you have seen before and attached again here in any ensuing book. We can send a high def copy if that is helpful. I had seen the article on Bill's speech at Aickens. I assume there was a lot of back and forth between there and Otira in the early twentieth century, and would be interested to know if anything is noted in the guest books.
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West Coast New Zealand History (3rd May 2024). Isabella Aicken holding Florence - Jessie Aicken on front verandah.ca.1899.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 7th Apr 2026 23:53, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/30270