Dunedin’s architectural landscape often holds stories of the people who built – and profited from – the city’s growth. A closer look at buildings like the Savoy Restaurant reveals a complex history of enterprise, wealth, and the human cost of economic progress.
A Drapery Empire Forged in Gold
The words “Haynes Bldgs” visible on the Savoy Restaurant building mark the former crowning glory of a drapery and clothing firm founded by Daniel Haynes. Born in Warwickshire in 1832, Haynes began his career as an apprentice in Coventry before emigrating to New Zealand in 1857.
He partnered with George Herbert and Alexander Hay, establishing Herbert, Haynes and Hay in 1862. Recognizing the economic shift brought about by the 1861 Otago gold rush, they initially operated in Gabriels Gully before relocating to Dunedin. After several years, Mr. Hay left the firm, and Mr. Herbert retired, leaving Daniel Haynes as the sole proprietor, though the name remained Herbert, Haynes & Co.
The business thrived by directly importing goods from mills in Lancashire and fashion houses in Paris. Following the devastating Princes St fire of 1867, the firm quickly rebuilt in brick, becoming a dominant retail force. By 1906, a new warehouse and office structure was commissioned at 24-26 Moray Pl to facilitate stock movement.
Wealth, Society, and the Shadow of ‘Sweating’
Daniel Haynes’ wife, Margaret Miller, who emigrated from Edinburgh in 1862 and married him in 1864, managed the family’s social life and charitable contributions. Both were active members of the Trinity Methodist Church, and their Italianate villa at 5 Smith St overlooked the expanding city and the Haynes & Co empire.
However, the late 1880s brought economic depression and the rise of “sweating”—the practice of exploiting workers with excessive hours and low wages—in the garment industry. In 1888, Rev. Rutherford Waddell publicly denounced the demand for cheap goods that fueled this exploitation in a sermon titled ‘On The Sin of Cheapness.’
The resulting public outcry led to the 1890 Royal Commission on Sweating, which revealed a link between the expansion of businesses like drapers and clothiers and the suppression of wages. Haynes, as a major employer of 118 factory hands and 45 shop assistants, testified before the commission in February 1890, stating that no overtime was worked and employees were not permitted to take work home.
The commission’s findings contributed to the passage of the Factories Act of 1891 and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1894.
A Legacy Marked by Loss
Despite the controversies, the Haynes family enjoyed longevity and success. Daniel Haynes lived to the age of 89, witnessing his company’s survival and continued prominence in Dunedin. However, the family also experienced personal tragedy, including the deaths of two young children, George and Bella.
Further sorrow struck with the death of their son, Alexander Haynes, at age 47 while on holiday in London in 1925. His wife, Olivia Larnach, also had a history of family tragedy, being the granddaughter and daughter of men who died by suicide. Alexander Haynes died following a sudden illness, with doctors attributing his death to syncope following delirium and diarrhea contracted during the sea voyage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Herbert, Haynes & Co sell?
The firm offered a wide range of merchandise, from “rough moleskins to the finest silks.”
What was “sweating”?
“Sweating” was the practice of forcing employees to work excessive hours for very low wages, prevalent in the garment trades during the late 1880s.
What happened after the Princes St fire?
Herbert, Haynes & Co swiftly rebuilt their premises in brick after the 1867 fire, becoming a dominant retail force.
As Dunedin continues to evolve, the buildings left behind by entrepreneurs like Daniel Haynes serve as reminders of the city’s complex past – a past built on both innovation and, at times, exploitation. What other stories might be hidden within the facades of Dunedin’s historic buildings?
