Louise Borrell

My Mother, Louise Borrell, came from a family whose background was in the small town of Geraldine fifty or so miles from Christchurch where my Grandmother was born.

Grandfather, Frederick Borrell came from a large family of  five brothers and one sister. They grew up on the family farm in Geraldine but all eventually moved to Christchurch and other parts. From the limited information I have they were members of a small Plymouth Brethren Chapel in the town. Grandfather was a untrained jobbing carpenter. In those days of almost guild like situations he was paid less than the fully trained and certified carpenters. Work was irregular. The family supplemented his wages by having a half acre property. A kitchen garden of extensive proportions supplemented the family diet meeting most needs so that life if not luxurious was quite adequate.

Grandma Borrell was one of those strong neighbourhood figures who was called upon for all kinds of remedies as the doctor was expensive and the druggist not always trusted. The Borrell family consisted of Jack, who married Merle Paynter, an auspicious match but sadly Aunt Merle died of cancer following the birth of her third son Roger. Uncle Jack moved into the insurance business and was encouraged to transfer to Melbourne, Australia but never progressed all that much up the ladder. His enduring feature was to live to the grand old age of 93 and to have had over that lifetime three different wives outliving the first two.

Dorothy, Mother's sister was a flamboyant rebel type. Unlike Louise she had not dutifully followed the prescribed family line. Grandfather remained a pillar in the conservative Armagh Street Gospel Hall, Mother had graduated up to Rutland Street Gospel Hall where she met David, a somewhat dashing Irishman, but at least he was a believer. Dorrie, as she was known, had been accosted by the many visiting Brothers who enjoyed the hospitality of the family home. One famous character Jimmie Dunbar was well known for his habit of pushing his finger into the chest and in his authoritarian voice asking, 'Do you know you are going to Hell?' A technique which had ensured many an entrance into the Kingdom or at least a continued tenure in the Gospel Hall. In the end Dorrie learnt to give the right answers and attend on Sunday but on Saturday nights and other opportunities the Dance Hall and related places found her interests. For all that she was not a profligate and continued to enjoy the comforts of the family home no doubt because as the sole remaining single person in the family her support of the Grandparents was an important asset. In the end quid pro quo proves enduring. To us boys Auntie Dorrie was a much more attractive figure than the rather dull and conventional others who attended the Gospel Halls. Janette now wears one of Auntie Dorrie's diamond rings an enduring memory to a great lady. She may not have been much use to the Gospel Hall but I am not at all sure that she is burning in the fires of Hell for her life showed many of the qualities that the Good Book describes even if she did not meet the exacting legalistic standards sought to be imposed by the Good Brothers and their ilk.

Frank was the next. He began well on Brethren standards but then was attracted to a Roman Catholic girl. Quite a no no in those less tolerant days. There romance blossomed so much that Eleanor became pregnant, they duly married but neither side really accepted them, Frank moved on to Auckland where he established a building and repairs business. Sadly the marriage was not an amiable one. Janice was born, they stayed together until she married but then divorced. Eleanor remarried and have another daughter Fiona. Frank moved again to Raratonga where he was a Public Works supervisor. To us Uncle Frank was a very pleasant person we enjoyed being around. Aunt Lena was hospitable so we made regular trips to their home to see Janice during the period we lived in Auckland post 1948.