Are these 1940's Auckland nite clubs still there?

[Dave Homewood]

In my research for my book I have been given a memoir of a chap who was based at Whenuapai in 1940. He mentions two of the nightclubs he and members of the New Zealand General Reconnaissance Squadron used to socialise at, and I am just curious if either place is still there.

One was The White Elephant pub at Titirangi, which was a tall thin building of about four storeys, and is on a really sharp angled corner at the top of a hill. I'd think it was/is a very prominent building in the area.

This is a digital photo I've snapped of a photocopy of a box brownie style snap... so it's not the best sorry...



The other would surely have been much more well known, Ye Olde Pirate Ship nightclub on the waterfront at Milford. This was a two storeyed ballroom done up as a pirate ship, with a rounded stern, three masts, old ship lanterns, etc. It apparently had a lower dance floor for the big band and an upper dance floor where the music was piped up through speaked from down below.





The photos are from the John Andrews collection.

Does anyone know if either still exists? If not under the same name or even as night clubs, do the buildings themselves exist?

[Peter Lewis]

The Titirangi building is still there. It's right in Titirangi village, on the corner of South Titirangi Road, now called - I think - Lopdell House and owned by the local Council. Currently an art gallery/coffee bar(?) I'm surprised that it was a pub in the 1940s, as 'the west' was a dry area for many years (though I'm not sure how far back that prohibition went).
The Pirate Shippe was on the beach front reserve at Milford accessed by Craig Road, just down the hill from where I live. It was removed, I think, in the 1950s. Just a grassed reserve/kids playground now.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Peter, I knew someone here would know. Sad the pirate shippe is gone.

[shorty]

I was pleased to se a photo of the Pirate Ship, I'd heard about it but never seen a photo, gawd but it was ugly!
Used to go to Milford a lot in the 60's to the Surfside Ballroom (now a supermarket I believe)

[Dave Homewood]

I reckon it has a lot of that innocent charm and fun of the 1930's (despite being ugly!)

[Dave Homewood]

A new photo - in colour. This is a screenshot taken from the 1946 National Film Unit film "Auckland City of Sunlight" here www.nzonscreen.com/title/auckland-city-of-sunlight-1946

It shows the Pirate Ship on the beach

[AussieBob]

Dave,
From; timespanner.blogspot.co.nz/2011/01/ye-olde-pirate-shippe-milford-by-david.html with some more info/sources

Fletcher Construction originally built the ‘Shippe” for the Milford Amusement Company, but the Devonport Steam Ferry Company bought both the ‘Shippe’ and surrounding land in the early 1930s. In the mid 1950s, ownership was transferred to the Takapuna Borough Council, in exchange for the Devonport Steam Ferry Company receiving land near the Milford shopping centre. I am told that the New Zealand Army got the contract to demolish the now deserted building in 1957.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for that Bob. What a shame they demolished it. Interesting that the ferry company owner a nightclub, I guess they leased out the Shippe to whoever ran it.

[Dave Homewood]

It was actually older than that blog suggested, this from the New Zealand Herald, dated:
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20068, 4 October 1928

POPULARISING MILFORD.

LAGOON PLAYGROUND.

"PIRATE SHIP" TO BE BUILT.

Within a few days construction work will be commenced on a novel plan for popularising Milford Beach. It is proposed by a company formed for the purpose to convert the lagoon into an aquatic playground, with a structure in the form of an ancient galleon, containing a large dancing floor, cubicles and refreshment stalls, as the dominating feature.

The Milford Amusements Company, Limited, will largely function in co-operation with the Devonport Steam Ferry Company and the North Shore Transport Company, through which reduced fares to the aquatic park from the time of opening this Christmas, have been arranged.

An essential feature of the scheme is the locking of the waters of the lagoon by flood-gates under the overhead pedestrian bridge, so that at all times there will be a safe bathing area of reasonable depth, while the opening of the gates at high tide will ensure regular flushing of the great pool.

On the site of a teahouse standing on the beach nearest the mouth of the lagoon will be constructed a building broadly representative of an old pirate ship and costing about £5000. The main floor will be on two levels. On the lower will be one of the largest dancing floors in Auckland, constructed with rubber buffers to give the maximum resiliency for dancing. Built-in cubicles will line each side of the floor, and on the upper level will be the main tearoom and an ice-cream stall commanding harbour and beach views.

Dressing rooms will be located under the main tearoom floor. About the lagoon itself will be erected a diversity of chutes, diving-towers and springboards, and boats and canoes will be provided for the amusement of patrons. Nearly all the capital required has been subscribed, and a start with building operations in all phases of the scheme will be made almost immediately.

[Dave Homewood]

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20093, 2 November 1928

The contract was let yesterday for the construction of the Pirate Ship Cabaret at Milford, the total amount involved being £7000. The terms of the contract provide that the work must be completed within seven weeks, on December 20, or no payment will be made. If the contract is successfully fulfilled the cabaret will be open for the week-end preceding Christmas.

[Dave Homewood]

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20134, 20 December 1928

MORALS OF MILFORD.

ENTERTAINMENT LICENCE.

OBJECTION BY COUNCILLOR.

The licensing of the building at Milford, known as the "pirate ship," as a place of entertainment, was agreed to by the Takapuna Borough Council last evening. Mr. J. Guiniven entered a strong protest, declaring the institution would lower the moral tone of Milford and the licence was being granted by the council contrary to public opinion.

Notices were ordered to be exhibited at Milford prohibiting dancing at the jazz board on Sundays, and also dancing in bathing costume.

[Dave Homewood]

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20136, 22 December 1928

YE OLDE PIRATE SHIP.

YO HO! THE MARINERS BOLD!

A scene unusual, brilliant, and entirely original was presented to Auckland last evening, as if the ocean depth had for once delivered some of its olden day relics and unknown treasures, for a Pirate Ship now lies in a beautiful setting on Milford beach.

From a distance the ship is an exact replica of the boats we read about in "Treasure Island and other tales, with sagging rigging and tackle lying across the bowsprit, a red and white canvas canopy covering the top decks, and a real pirate ensign — the Jolly Roger — flying from the mast head. Some 200 years ago such an ensign was a well-known sight on the high seas.

The main cabin of the ship is used as the principal dancing floor, and this has its ceiling of heavy beamed wood and polished brown walls. A feature of the decoration is a Keri Keri sword used in China many years ago, while braces of pistols and antique cutlasses add to the piratical scene. These are crossed high on the walls and large brass plaques, some of the pirates' loot, are arranged above.

At the side walls binnacle lamps and hand-made ship's lanterns, hang from heavy brass chains, give an effect of moonlight. Over the stairs that lead to the for'ard cabins a model pirate ship in full sail has been made and erected by the manager, Mr. 0. R. Pettit. Old rose-shaded curtains are hung over the small windows above the cubicles, and these give a note of colour against the dark walls.

The main deck is also used for dancing and the excellent music played by the Versatile Pirates Orchestra floats up through open hatches. A delightful view is obtained from the windows of the deck, where Rangitoto is seen outlined in the distance, and far off the Tin beacon lights flash across a silver sea.

Last evening, by the invitation of the owners and masters of the old pirate ship, a large number of guests were present for the christening ceremony. Those present were delighted with the romantic atmosphere of the old ship and with the ship's crew in pirate costume mingling with the guests, the scene was altogether colourful.

The Hon. E. W. Alison made the opening speech and called upon the Mayor of Takanuna, Mr. C. W. Williamson, Mr E. E. Aldridge,. Mayor of Devonport, and Mr. R. Green, the promoter of the company, to address those present.

The ship's cannons were then fired by Mr. C. R. Pettit., and dancing took place on the deck and in the main cabin. Among those present were Lady de Chair, who wore a frock of rose du barri satin, embossed in silver with rose relief and diamante trimming: Mrs. Julius Williamson, Wedgwood blue georgette beaded in deeper tones; Miss E. E. Aldridge, black lace and gold;, Mrs. A. E Alison, cardinal red crepe de chine and black relief; Mrs. Fotheringham, black cire lace and rose shawl; Mrs. C. R. Pettit, black taffeta and petalled hem in pastel shades; Mrs. Mair, delph blue taffeta banded in cameo pink; Mrs. J. E. Close, pale gold taffeta embroidered ■with small flowers; Mrs. Carl Williamson, gold lama frock; Mrs. Seaman, larkspur blue crepe fleuri and rhinestone trimming; Mrs. Warbrick, silver blue crepe do chine and tulle; Mrs. Lister, floral georgette; Mrs. Woods, night blue and gold embossed velvet; Mrs. Spiller, cyclamen georgette. Miss Nicks wore salmon pink beaded georgette and shawl; Mrs. Steel, black georgette beaded in jet; Mrs. B. Hart, delphinium blue taffeta with tulle hem: Mrs. Slinger, navy crepe de chine and shawl; Mrs. Crosher, rose pink crepe satin; Mrs. Bowden, canary yellow satin; Mrs. McLeod, black satin and silver; Mrs. Curtis, black taffeta and posy; Mrs J. Gordon, old rose taffeta and lace'; Mrs. R. S. Biss, black tulle over satin embroidered in Oriental colours; Mrs. D. M. Davidson, black taffeta and orange shawl; Miss MacGregor, black georgette; Mrs. Bodle, saxe blue georgette embroidered in pink with shoulder posy; Miss B. Mail', petal pink corded taffeta and tulle with shoulder spray; Miss Betty Wilson, Nile green and white beaded crepe de chine; Miss E. Alison, white georgette with gold sequinned roses; Miss Audrey Alison, palest pink georgette with uneven hem; Miss Margery Alison, daffodil yellow georgette; Miss Molly Alison, China blue georgette beaded in white Miss Harris, rose pink satin; Miss F. Crosher, ciel blue georgette and rose shoulder posy; Miss W. Frater, amethyst shaded ring velvet; Miss Jean Maclndoe, jade green satin. Miss Doreen Clarkson wore petunia shaded crepo do chine; Miss Sassoon, silver lame frock; Miss Parker, black satin; Miss Val. Jackson, green georgette; Miss Mabel Jackson, pink georgette with uneven hem; Miss Clair Gee, rcse pink chenille; Miss D. Buckley, green georgette; Miss Sutcliffo, lavender taffeta; Miss P. McColl, white taffeta; Miss Spencer, cinnamon georgette; Miss D'Authraui, red satin; Miss B. Rutherford, black lace over flesh satin; Miss Lloyd, black crepe de chine; Miss M. Bailey, rose pink taffeta; Miss Fitchett, cameo pink georgette.

[John L]

My Great Aunts had a bach in Commodore parry Road, Milford, so every summer, all us kids used to spend 4 weeks at Milford. I just remember the Pirate Ship - it was great to a kid.
The saltwater swimming pool was filled in back in the 80's I think - a pity - great place for catching Parores.

[Dave Homewood]

What's a Parore?

I think it's a shame this place is gone, it sounds like it was pretty fantastic. The old newspapers have reports every wee of dances there, it must have really jumped back in the swing era.

[bae]

Was the old Mandalay in Newmarket going in those years? I can remember going there in late 60's early 70's and it looked old enough then to have been around in the 1940's!

[Dave Homewood]

It does not look as if it was going in the 1930's or 40's, unless it was under a different name back then of course.

[camtech]

Hell, I can remember the Mandalay - many a Saturday night there, either with a girl or trying to pick one up. Also recall a club in Dominion Rd, that was originally a movie theatre.

[pjw4118]

The Mandalay in my day was a dine and dance and included grog in the ticket price . So the first job was to drink bourbon and cokes until you had covered the ticket price, I think the target was eight . The buffet always had oysters and crayfish.
Going back to WWII there was the famous ( infamous ) night club on Hillsborough Road supported by the US Forces. There was always scotch available and the girls were " free". The site is now part of a church !
Over at Green Bay was Pinesong , another D&D , its now a rest home.
Dave , the shows at the Civic were pretty notorious and theres plenty of info available . Sly grogging was big business right throughout the dry suburbs and of course Flora Mc Kenzie in Ring Terrace was very famous. There are certainly plenty of stories still around.

[Dave Homewood]

There were dry suburbs in Auckland?? Is that like the strange areas they have up there nowadays that are governed by a Trust and the liquor sale hours and prices differ from the rest of the world? or were they completely dry?

One place I recall on the North Shore when I was living there in 1989-91 was The Pounamu which was very popular as a nightclub. It closed around that time but I believe it had been open a long time before then.

[ErrolC]

There were dry suburbs (electorates?) all over, as well as trust-only ones.