Extracts from "An Account of My Life" written by Denis Knowles in 1978 for his family record

Date1978DescriptionThese extracts cover the voyage to New Zealand in 1931; planting a lemon orchard at Four Winds Farm, Ōtūmoetai, Tauranga; a return trip to England via America and back to New Zealand in 1935; and final departure via Canada in 1937.

Denis Knowles was born in Bolton, Lancashire in 1895, the son of a prosperous cotton mill-owning family. In 1931, he married Sylvia Scott-Snell, whose family had many connections with New Zealand. Denis had trained as an engineer and had flown airships in World War I but always wished to become a farmer. When he met Sylvia, it was during the Great Depression, and they decided to go to New Zealand and start a farm there.

Sylvia had many relatives in New Zealand, being descended from Alfred Fell, who had emigrated to the South Island in 1842, where he founded the firm of Fell and Seymour. Alfred Fell and Fanny Seymour had four children, their eldest son being Charles Fell, and their second son Arthur Fell. Alfred Fell's account of A Voyage to New Zealand under Sail was published in 1926 at the instigation of Arthur Fell. Charles Fell was born in 1844 in Nelson and, in 1913, wrote an account of his life which includes a lengthy description of Alfred Fell and the early days of the business. Later, he went to university and training in England. A copy of the New Zealand part of this account is attached.

Arthur Fell also went to England with his parents. He became MP for Yarmouth, first chairman of the Channel Tunnel Committee, and Crown Solicitor, during which period he travelled extensively, buying land for the Crown and for himself in South Africa and Canada. He was knighted and lived at Lauriston House in Wimbledon.

Sir Arthur Fell had four children, the eldest being Mark Fell, who returned to New Zealand with his wife Claire, where they founded Bureta Farm near Tauranga. They had several children, one of whom—Phoebe—married Temple Cobbold and lived in Rotorua.

Sir Arthur’s three daughters were all married in England. Winifred and Phoebe spent much of their lives in India. Margaret had three children, one of them being my mother, Sylvia, who suggested a return to New Zealand after she married my father, Denis Knowles, in 1931. They settled in Tauranga close to Bureta Farm owned by Sylvia's uncle, Mark Fell.

When Denis and Sylvia returned to England in 1935, they undertook an extensive tour of Europe, which they reported in articles for the Bay of Plenty Times in Tauranga. These articles were published in issues dated 18 September, 5 October, 26 October, 4 November 1935, and 7 & 24 February, 3 March, and 2 May 1936.

Martin Knowles, Colchester, Essex

21 March 2006CreatorKnowles, DenisFormatTypescript

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RoomOriginal not held

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.Cultural/Ethical StatusNoaRestrictionsNo cultural/ethical restrictions apply. However,copyright may apply.AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Extracts from "An Account of My Life" written by Denis Knowles in 1978 for his family record

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Start here:"Four Winds" Ōtūmoetai (Place)

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Extracts from "An Account of My Life" written by Denis Knowles in 1978 for his family record