Amanda+Ngo

Have you ever been into Smith and Caughey’s? Bought some new clothes there, or just had a look around? Did you ever wonder how Smith and Caughey’s started? Or why it was called Smith and Caughey’s? Turns out it was started by a woman! Back in the 1880’s, that was a big feat.

Have you ever been to a park? (If the answer to this is no, I advise you go and visit one NOW!) What about Craigavon Park? Ever heard of that? If you haven’t, you should go there NOW! It is the coolest park for jogging, cycling or just exploring. (It’s in the bush, and there are lots of different hidden pathways you can take.) It’s the best place for playing tag, or hide and go seek. And guess who donated it? The same woman who started Smith and Caughey’s! While you’re in the mood for visiting parks, you should go and see Quinton Park. Bring a picnic, and a boat. It’s right by the seaside, and really open. You can launch your boat off the boat ramp and sail out to the harbour bridge. It’s great fun for running around in, and there’s even a petanque court, it you feel like throwing balls around (donated by the same person…AGAIN!).

What else did this lady do? (apart from setting up a business and donating two parks!) Turns out she also set up a home for old ladies! The Caughey-Preston Home.That’s two parks, one very successful business, and a home! (Not to mention setting up the City Mission, a couple of orphanages, and donating a couple of churches!) That’s a lot to do in one lifetime.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in one of those HUGE mansions, and sleep in a turret, and have 2 whole acres to run around in? Can you imagine that? 2 acres, all to yourself! You and all your other seven siblings. Andrew Caughey lived in one of them. He had seven children! (Imagine the queue for the bathroom every morning!) When all his children had grown up, he gave it away! It was a huge house, worth heaps of money, and he gave it away! WOW!

Have you ever been down to the bottom of Auckland? Did you know that most of it used to be sea? Smales Point used to be there, before they filled a whole load of sea with soil. Now, where Smales Point used to be is in the middle of the road!

Find out more about all of these sites by clicking on the links. Have Fun! (Don’t forget to go and visit the parks!)