Hobday/Scott

Grandson Mr Gavin Scott has allowed the library access to his collection of photographs and family history. . As a 14-year-old, Mr Hobday was sent from England to stay with his uncle Thomas Bull in Rongotea. He met his wife Mary Nesbit at Carthew's Bookshop where he was encouraged to learn about photography because he was selling cameras. The Nesbit family owned the Feilding Abattoir in Sandon Rd. Along with the photos deposited in the Feilding Community Archives by Mr Scott is a poster advertising Mr Hobday's aerial photographs "Photography was my grandfather's passion," Mr Scott said. Mr Hobday was very interested in planes and paid 15 pounds to be the first passenger to fly with Captain Russell from the Feilding Racecourse to Parorangi, now Hato Paora College, on August 17, 1920. He also flew with Francis Chichester and George Bolt, and is believed to be the first professional aerial photographer in New Zealand. He was commissioned by the Auckland Weekly to photograph the damage to Napier after the 1931 earthquake. "He was a pioneer in aerial photography and founder of the New Zealand Professional Photographers Association," his photographs were taken from open aircraft, and the detail shows his skill as a photographer. Bert Hobday has left a legacy of photographs of Feilding and the lower North Island in the early part of the 20th century. Although a collection of his glass plates was lost in the Darragh building fire in 1995, many of his prints are at the Feilding Library and decorate the Feilding Information Centre and other buildings. Mr Bert Hobday died in 1973.

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Feilding

Feilding - Aerial view showing Kimbolton Road in the left corner, and the East and Lytton Streets intersection. Lytton Street School in centre. Photograph : Hobday.

Feilding - 1920 : 54-8

1920 - Aerial view of West Sttreet, Kimbolton Road, Kowhai Park and the Racecourse.

Wilkinson Homestead

Completion of George Wilkinson's house at 44 Monmouth street. Photographer, Hobday, c. 1915.

Mr Hobday

Mr Hobday standing by the plane with the camera. Mr Hobday was very interested in planes and paid 15 pound to be the first passenger to fly with Captain Russell from the Feilding Racecourse to Parorangi, now Hato Paora College, on August 17, 1920. He also flew with Francis Chichester and George Bolt, and is believed to be the first professional aerial photographer in New Zealand. Mr Hobday was also commissioned by the Auckland Weekly to photograph the damage to Napier after the 1931 earthquake.

Aerial Photograph of Feilding

Looking at intersection on South Street, Kawakawa Road & Manchester Street.

Aerial Photograph of Feilding

Aerial View of Feilding, around 1922. Feilding Race course at the bottom.

Aerial Photograph of Feilding

Aerial View of Feilding, around 1922

Aerial Photograph of Feilding

Aerial View of Feilding, around 1922

Mary Nesbit

Mary Nesbit on right Aged about 18

Mary Nesbit

Post Card of Mary Nesbit. Mary married Mr Hobday (Photographer) Mary worked at Carthews

Feilding Box Factory fire - 1939 : 43-4

Feilding Box factory (Broadbelts). Haybittle Street. Fire - 20/12/1939. Photographers : Hobday.

Feilding box factory fire - 1939

Feilding Box Factory (Broadbelts). Haybittle Street. Fire - 20/12/1939. Photograhers : Hobday

Feilding box factory fire - 1939

Feilding Box Factory (Broadbelts). Haybittle Street. Fire - 20/12/1939. Photograhers : Hobday

Flooding - Guy Bros

Looking down Hobson Street towards Salvation Army building. Guy Bros motors on the right.

Majorie Mills

Miss Majorie Mills. Well known New Zealand Water Colour, Oils & Tapestry artist. Was Mr Hobdays first assistant 1913-1920

Manchester Square

Photograph taken from the second floor of the Post Office

Bert Hobday

Mr Bert Hobday

Aerial view of Feilding Saleyards

Aerial Photograph Taonui

Written on the back of Photograph: Looking towards Palmerston North from over Freezing Works, Feilding X on photograph - Feilding Aerodrome from which several aerial topdressing firms operate.