Lawrence Petricevich

Ok, so I have been caught up a bit in my family history! I dragged out my old family tree books and assignments from school, and I found this - I did not write it, it was an old newspaper clipping form 1976. Thought I better type it out and save it so it lives on!

Its quite long, but interesting! You can imagine what it was like back then...I am his 5th generation (I think) He is my great great great grandfather. My mums, mums, mums Dad!

LAWRENCE PETRICEVICH – A TRIBUTE

From the Northern Advocate, September 1976. By Gordan Alan Simpson

In 1903 a young boy of 16 left Yugoslavia to find a new life thousands of miles away across the sea in New Zealand where the gum fields offered more opportunity.

73 years later, on September 13, 1976 Lawrence Petricevich was buried from the Ahipara Marae, a signal of honor for a European. In traditional Maori custom he was farewelled by his immediate family whilst his wider adopted family, Te Arawa and Te Aupouri, also mourned the passing of a beloved Kaumaatua of the North.

It is difficult for us today to imagine what the lad felt as the ship dropped an anchor in Auckland, but there would undoubtedly have been some trepidation. He had left his family, all the security of community, language and customs and like so many of his country men, he had only courage and determination to keep up his spirits as he surveyed the scene at sweetwater, where he was to spend many years trying to strike it rich. Life in the gum fields was tough and competitive as the spear was driven deep in the endless search. Gradually through, his back got used to the punishment and the techniques required to dig efficiently became automatic.

Learnt the hard way...

Yes, Lawrence learnt the hard way, but even so there were satisfactions and joy in the toil. Sometimes round the fire at night, with the billy boiling or the wine laced with water, Yugoslavia was remembered in a song and dance. A developing pride in simple achievements, helped in the acceptance of the new country and later a real belonging to it came about as progress was made and the newcomers raised their families.

Some of the successful diggers brought land, but in about 1915, Mr Petricevich established a store in Houhora, then a thriving gum township.

This commercial enterprise grew to include a dance hall to cater for the hundreds of diggers. It was a centre of Yugoslav life. Later he moved further North to Te Hapua to open another store, but this time the depression years of the 30's took their toll and he was forced to return to making a living by manual labour of all kinds. This even included baking and cooking for the workers at the Te Paki Station.

He said once that these journeyings in the northern gum fields with rough tracks, hostile landscape and language difficulties generated an almost overwhelming sense of desolation in him as he tried to re-establish himself.

Nicknamed “Old Lawrence”...

We know something of what he encountered in the environment. Even in 1952, on our arrival at Ngataki School, the isolation, the way things shriveled and waned regardless of care, the almost continual wind over the narrow peninsula, the sound of both coasts never still, the way the winter rain soaked in like a sponge, the constant of summer oozing into everything, resembling nothing of our world either. It was baffling and foreign.

How did one beautify the school grounds when dahlias, poppies and sweetpeas peeped out, seems aghast at what they saw and withered. The cabbages too were caricatures of their southern sisters. Old Lawrence, as we affectionately call him, sighed with us and patiently explained that we had to give before we receive – the first lesson from our wise old friend. We collected seaweed, vast mountains of the stuff from the beautiful but desolate foreshore and we were quick to hopefully follow the horses that passed the school house. Lawrence never tired of helping us, so together we struggled and finally achieved. Lesson number two! Vegetables of great size and variety; flowers sweet smelling and beautiful, even the grape began to bear and Lawrence smiled, nodding with delight.

Many learnt from him...

We had much to learn from him in other ways too. We learned particularly from him human dignity, from his ability to develop relationships, to make the best of things, to see possibilities for happiness. We gained a respect for each other that stemmed from the community involvement we shared, for he was always round the school or close by in his home ready to help, as when the pine trees caught on fire and he led the rush to save the school. He was a man of high intelligence with a quick wit that was never used at anyone expense for he was a gentle man and very affectionate.

A great influence...

A tremendous sprit of affection emanated strongly from the children also, who came daily to us at school even on most saturdays and sundays – thrusting the Pakeha teachers, making shy overtures that late extended to delightful surprises for us as excellence at school match their charms. Lawrence was a great influence on them. He cared for people. Small children, in particular reached into his heart and found there a loving reception. No wonder he was a happy man, for he also had a depth of knowledge, a level of wisdom that appealed to all ages. Undoublty much of this stemmed from his early becoming immerse in things Maori, gaining something of their unique warmth and spiritually as he learned the language and grew to understand their ways and customs.

Twenty-five years later we still remember the code of reciprocal hospitality and tribal etiquette he introduced us to when welcoming us to Ngataki. We remember also, the many children who had obviously benefited from the extended family atmosphere prevailing that so effectively reinforced their lives. We remember so much with real affection and considerable gratitude at having known Lawrence Petricevich.

Everyone who knew him well will have different things to remember of course and many will know him almost as a father and thats how he will be best remembered by most.

Lawrence was born in Zivgosce, Yugoslavia on 10^th of August 1886. He emigrated to New Zealand as a young man and arrived here in 1903. His first marriage was to Makareta Hara Raharuhi – they had 9 children. His second marriage was to Waitai Toetoe (who had also been married previously and had a grown up family) From this marriage they had 2 children.

Enjoy

xox