The Rogers Family

The End of an Era

When Mae Rogers passed away on June 11, 1993, she became the last of the Rogers family line. Her death marked the end of an era,. The house and farm at Cronadun were eventually sold in 1989 to Allan Archer, the Great Great Grandson of Bernard Rogers, ensuring that the Rogers’ legacy would continue in some form within the extended family.

Today, the story of Bernard and Katherine Rogers is a tale of resilience, hard work, and the importance of family. Their journey across the world—from Ireland to California, Australia , and New Zealand—was one of seeking opportunity and building a life that would leave a lasting impact on the communities they lived in. Their descendants, too, would carry forward the values of hard work, community, and love for the land that Bernard and Katherine had established all those years ago.

The Rogers.

The story of the Rogers family is one that spans continents, decades, and generations. It began with Bernard Rogers, a man whose life was as varied and adventurous as the lands he called home. Born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Bernard left his birthplace at a young age in search of better opportunities. His journey took him first to California in America, and then to Australia and New Zealand, where his path would intersect with that of Katherine Anastasia Rogers, a woman who would become both his wife and the mother of his children.

Bernard and Katherine's Early Years

Katherine was born in Richmond, Tasmania, Australia, in 1842, and she married Bernard in 1864. The couple's early years were marked by a series of ventures that saw them move frequently. Bernard’s drive for success led him to Victoria, Australia, where he operated two large stores and a butchery business at Wood’s Point. It was there that Bernard also became involved in local governance, serving on the County Council

However, in 1865, Bernard made the decision to return to New Zealand, where he landed in Hokitika. Soon after, he and Katherine began a new chapter in the town of Ross, where Bernard started a butchery. But the lure of gold brought the Rogers family further inland to the mining towns, and they lived for a time in Brighton, where Bernard worked as both a miner and a storekeeper. He even owned a store and post office at St. Kilda, Dunedin, where he became a well-respected local figure.

Tragedy and Hope

In 1875, the Rogers family suffered a great loss when their first daughter, Kathleen Anastasia, passed away at the tender age of four. Her death on February 10, 1879, left an indelible mark on the family. But life continued, and in 1879, on June 21, Katherine gave birth to a second daughter, Agnes Kathleen, a girl who would grow up to play a pivotal role in the family’s future.

The Capleston Years

In 1877, Bernard moved the family once again, this time to Capleston, where he opened a general grocery and drapery business. It was a time of growth and opportunity, and the Rogers family began to settle into their new life. In addition to the grocery store, Bernard also took ownership of the Reefers' Hotel, a large establishment made from wood and iron, which boasted ten bedrooms, two sitting rooms, a dining room, and a billiard room. The hotel was a hub for locals and travelers alike, offering the best liquors and comfortable accommodations at a moderate tariff. Bernard also established a stable for horses, which was an essential service in those days, it had four stalls, and a loose box all of which was connected with the establishment.

During their time in Capleston, Bernard became an active member of the school committee, serving for fifteen years and contributing to the development of the local education system. His civic involvement was just one of the many ways in which the Rogers family became an integral part of the community.

Bernard's Passing and Katherine's Legacy

In 1904, Bernard Rogers passed away, leaving behind his wife Katherine, their children Agnes, Frank and Bernard Ambrose. Bernard’s death marked the end of one chapter, but it also led to the beginning of another for Katherine, she became the Proprietress of the Rogers' Reefers' Hotel and also owned a large public hall and a farm of one hundred acres near Cronadun. Katherine was a strong and enterprising woman, continuing the legacy of hard work and ambition that her husband had begun. Katherine’s influence was felt in the community for decades. She was known for her warmth, hospitality, and tireless work ethic. She passed away on April 4, 1932,

Bernard Rogers is buried with his 4 year old daughter Kathleen Anastasia in the Old Pioneer cemetery in Reefton. His wife Katherine is buried with her son Bernard Ambrose in the Boatmans Cemetery in Cronadun. Frances Ashton Rogers Wife of Frank Rogers  is buried in the Boatmans Cemetery in Cronadun, Their children Bernard Francis(Drib),Catherine Elizabeth (Kath) and Mary Agnes (Mae) are buried together in the Boatmans Cemetery Cronadun.

The Next Generation

Bernard and Katherine left behind a family that would carry their legacy forward. Their daughter Agnes married Frederick William Archer, while their son Bernard Ambrose Rogers went on to make his own mark. Bernard Ambrose, was born in Brighton on December 7, 1870, and studied at St Patrick's College, Wellington, he became a prominent figure in the Capleston community, living to the age of 75 before passing away on April 24, 1946.

The other son, Frank Rogers, married Frances nee Stephens, and together they had three children: Catherine Elizabeth (Kath), Mary Agnes (Mae), and Bernard Francis ( Drib). Frank built a house at 132 Boatmans Road Cronadun after his father Bernard died for his wife Frances and three children Cathrine ( Kath), Francis (Drib) and Mary (Mae) and named the house "BERAGH" after a small village in County Tyrone, Ireland

The house was surrounded by a wonderful garden filled with a wide variety of flowers. Many of these flowers won first-place ribbons at the Reefton A and P Show, a testament to the care and dedication that Kath, Mae, and Frank put into their garden. Their close neighbours, the Blair girls—Mary, Joy, Donette, and Ruth—spent many hours visiting and playing in the garden, and the Rogers family, with one of the few cameras in the district, took many photographs of the Blair family and hundreds of photographs of flowers.

Bernard Francis Rogers, also called Frank but mainly known by his nickname "Drib,"was born on 25 July 1911   "Drib" was a reminder of his father's football prowess and who also went by the nickname of "Drib" Young Drib was a man of many talents and a bit of a free spirit. After working in the Waitahu Sluicing claim and hoping for an apprenticeship as a carpenter—a dream that did not materialise—Drib turned to driving trucks for Archer Brothers coal mine. His work transporting coal from the mine to the rail wagons at Reefton became a regular part of his routine, but his driving was often reckless especially after stopping at the local hotel after work. There was an incident where he drove into a ditch after a few too many drinks at the Cronadun hotel, his sisters, Kath and Mae, concerned for his safety, took matters into their own hands. They informed the mine manager of Frank’s driving habits, and, unbeknownst to Frank, they had him reassigned to work in the mine.It was a move that Frank didn't realise was orchestrated by his sisters until much later.

Frank died of a heart attack on 14 December 1982 aged 71

But sadly Frank died soon after building the house– he died from complications  caused by "miners phthisis",from the quartz dust in the mines– he was 52 years old.

After his death his brother Bernard Ambrose and Mother Katherine left the hotel at Capleston and lived out their days in the little farmhouse at 132 Boatmans Road.

The Daughters:

Catherine Elizabeth Rogers better known as Kath was born on 11 May 1910. Kath, was a very good cook and did all of the cooking and washing in the house she also did most of the driving of their Morris six and later on in their Morris 8

Donette Douglas nee Blair remembers Kath was always a bit of a character. she remembers her rolling her own smokes—she’d always have one stuck to her lip, like it was an extension of her. If it wasn’t there, it would be resting on the mantelpiece, waiting to be picked up again later.The house was always warm. The coal range never stopped going, and the kettle was always on the boil—there was something comforting about it, like it was never not tea time in Kath’s world. One of those things you just got used to, the way the steam would rise from the kettle, mixing with the warm, smoky air of the house. But it wasn’t until the day of the Inangahua Earthquake that this little scene took on a life of its own.That day, thick smoke was curling out from around the house. The neighbors saw it and thought the house was on fire. Panic spread quickly, and soon Joe Blair and a few others rushed over to check on Kath and Mae. They arrived to find the house quiet, no flames, but there was smoke rising from an open air fire—Kath had simply made a fire outside to boil the kettle on. It wasn’t a fire; it was just Kath, carrying on as usual. She wasn’t flustered or anything—just focused on her tea and the fire. So, in true Kath fashion, everyone ended up staying for a cup of tea.

When Isabella Blair went into hospital to have Mary, her daughters Donette and Joy Blair stayed with the Rogers. Donette laughs when she talks about Kath’s breakfasts—scrambled eggs on scones. It sounds strange, but in Kath’s kitchen, it made perfect sense. It was hearty and warm, filling enough for a day of hard work. She also packed lunch boxes for school, always too much, always more than anyone could eat. Kath had grown up in a time when food wasn’t something to be wasted, and she didn’t want to risk anyone going hungry. So the lunch boxes would be packed up with so much food that Donette and Joy would leave the leftovers by the gate on their way home. Their father would collect the lunch boxes later, finishing off whatever Kath had packed,

Kath was a primary school teacher, and in her earlier years taught at the landing/ Junction school biking over an hour each way on gravel roads, sometimes through rain,frost and fog. When she moved to the old Cronadun School she was the sole teacher with around 30 puples of different ages, In 1952 Ruth Blair being a close neighbour was picked up every morning for school, Ruth remembers her as being a well liked teacher with beautiful handwriting, a teacher that didn't take any nonsense, and a wooden ruler over the knuckles was used when needed. Ruth remembers her execellence in the teaching of grammar and Ruth credits her for giving her the foundation for her later successes in exams through High school and university. When the old Cronadun school moved from the main road to the corner of Boatmans Road Kath stopped teaching in Cronadun.

Kath died 15th April 1987 aged 77

Mary Agnes Rogers better known as Mae was born on the 29th August 1913. Mae was also a Primary school teacher and taught at the new Cronadun school. Mae did all of the knitting, sewing, and ironing, attending to the smallest details in every garment, no matter how mundane. She even ironed rags, underwear, and socks with the same care she gave to more formal clothing.. Donette and Mary remember Mae with having a warm, bright smile—like she was always radiating happiness. It didn’t matter what was going on, she had this way of making everything feel cheerful and full of life. Donette remembers how she made Christmas feel extra special. "Every year, without fail, Mae would make these beautiful Christmas stockings for us. It became a tradition that we all looked forward to. They were always so personal, filled with little surprises, and wrapped up with so much love. It was like she poured her heart into each one. And every Christmas, we’d go over to their house."

Mae kept a diary which she wrote in every day... one of her diarys was found 56 years later and shown to Mary Jan nee Blair – the date in the diary is the day of the first moon landing on 21 July 1969, as the Rogers were one of the few people to have a TV all the neighbours came to their house to watch, Mary remembers the day watching the event with her father. Joe Blair.

Mary Jan nee Blair was named after Mae.

Mae died 11th June 1993 aged 73.

Isabella Blair Memory:

Mae and Kath also shared a quirky habit of ripping pages out of books that they deemed "too saucy" before lending them out– reflecting their strong moral compass and sense of propriety.