In the Lawrence Museum.
John Joseph Woods
In the Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand it tells of how New Zealand’s national hymn ‘God defend New Zealand’ was first published as a poem in 1876 in a Dunedin newspaper edited and possibly owned by Thomas Bracken called “The Advertiser”. Bracken wrote the poem himself and he announced a competition for a melody for the words which was to be judged by three musicians living in Melbourne. The winner was John Joseph Woods, a head teacher of a Catholic school in Lawrence. His prize was 10 guineas. It received its first performance on Christmas Day in 1876 in Dunedin’s Queen’s Theatre by the Lydia Howard Burlesque and Opera Bouffe Troupe, accompanied by the Dunedin Royal Artillery Band. In February 1878, the sheet music for the song was published. It was set to Maori words in 1878.
From the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. ‘John Joseph Woods was the son of a soldier, born and educated in Tasmania, and later became a county clerk. He was very creative and musical, playing 12 instruments but mainly the violin.
It was 9:00pm when the Advertiser reached him. “On reading the beautiful and appealing words” he wrote in A. H. Reed in 1927, “I immediately felt like one inspired…..I set to work instantly and never left my seat ‘till the music was completely finished late on in the night’.
Woods was a community man. In his district he was an all-round sportsman, a member and office-bearer in clubs and societies, long-serving choir master of the Roman Catholic Church, and County Clerk for the Tuapeka County Council for 55 years’.
In the Wikipedia online article it states that he was one of fourteen children, seven boys and seven girls. He worked as a teacher in Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill before arriving in Lawrence in 1874. He was a singer as well as an instrumentalist. His teaching assistant was Harriet Conway, an Irish widow whom he married in September 1874, and they had four children, three sons and a daughter. In 1902 Woods built a house in Lawrence.
From personal photo collection.
There were eleven other submissions for the music set to Thomas Bracken’s poem. The rules of the competition meant that the submission’s copyright would belong exclusively to the Saturday Advertiser. The manuscript was given to Charles Begg and Co. to publish but a nine-month delay in sending it to the publisher was followed by two months of waiting for publication. The end result was an edition with only one verse which was rejected by the Advertiser. When promises of reprinting failed to materialize, the Advertiser was forced to hand the copyright back over to Woods. He immediately organized publication by Hopwood and Crew in London, with Bracken’s blessing. Bracken had not originally intended for his poem to assume the status of national anthem, and it was Woods who consistently used the word “anthem” whereas Bracken referred to it as a “hymn”.
Woods held the copyright to the song from 1877 until 1914, possibly Charles Begg and Co held it until 1940, when it was purchased by the Government. The Government bought the copyright, performing, reproduction and similar rights and the words of the hymn.
In 1877 Woods ceased teaching, becoming the County Clerk for the Tuapeka County Council. In this role he became an authority on county law, being sought out by the council and clerks of other regions. He served as County Clerk for 55 years until illness forced him to retire in 1932. He was known for his cultivation of daffodils. When he was made an Honorary Freeman of New Zealand, he was commended for his “efficiency, integrity and devotion to duty”.
In the Findagrave website it states that he played cricket, bowls and tennis and was a cyclist.
St Patrick’s School, Lawrence. From personal photo collection.
1875 The Tuapeka Times of 25th December 1875 tells of the school examination at St Patrick’s School, Lawrence where J. J. Woods and his wife were teachers. It tells of the children showing a ‘marked advancement’ in comparison to the previous year. Both Latin and French were taught at the school. There are compliments about the girls’ sewing and medals are given to those students who have attended school the most regularly. The article ends with ‘we were much pleased with the discipline of the school pupils, the singing and marching being a noticeable feature, while the stillness that pervaded as the examination was going on, spoke well for the master’s control over his numerous young pupils’.
1876 In the Tuapeka Times dated 1st March 1876 there are advertisements that Mr J. J. Woods has inserted for an athletic sports programme, an Irish Ballad Concert as well as a “Fancy Fair and Gift Auction” which was to be held in the Catholic schoolroom. These activities are in relation to St Patrick’s Day.
1876 There is an article in the 7th October 1876 Saturday Advertiser stating that ‘on Tuesday evening week, a lecture is advertised to be delivered in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Albany Street, by Mr. T. Bracken in aid of the building fund of the hall. The subject will be “An Evening with the Lyric Poets”.
1876 The Saturday Advertiser’s column “Answers of Correspondents” dated 11th November 1876 states that ‘Yes, we intend to publish the National Hymn, for the music of which Mr J. J. Woods obtained the prize. It will be advertised in due course’.
1876 There is an article in the Tuapeka Times on the 15th November 1876 which states ‘Mr J. J. Woods has already commenced rehearsing for the annual Boxing night concert. It is probable that the “New Zealand National Hymn” arranged to music by Mr Woods, will be sang that night’.
This depiction of John Joseph Woods can be in Lawrence.
1876 The Tuapeka Times of 16th December 1876 states that ‘His Excellency the Governor has assented to the “National Hymn”” composed by Mr J. J. Woods being dedicated to him. The piece has been sent by Messers. Begg and Co, to Melbourne for publication, and will be ready in three weeks’.
1876 In the Tuapeka Times of the 23rd December 1876 there is an article about the annual examination at St Patrick’s School where Mr J. J. Woods and his wife taught. The children were examined in several subjects and were found to have ‘fair proficiency’. Their calligraphy was especially complimented. In the afternoon the children sang the “New Zealand National Hymn” composed by Woods in ‘excellent style, and several other pieces of instrumental and vocal music were rendered by the pupils, many of whom already show evidence of musical culture’. One of the subjects taught by Mrs Woods is French.
1876 There is an article about the St Patrick’s School Concert in the Tuapeka Times of 30th December 1876. J. J. Woods and a Mrs Needham sang two character duets “The Happy Policeman” and “Very Suspicious”. Mrs Needham was one of the soloists for “The New Zealand National Anthem”. There is the comment ‘we should imagine that the music, if well played, would sound very well with Mr Bracken’s composition, especially if rendered with life and expression’.
1876 There is an article in the 30th December 1876 Saturday Advertiser that states that ‘a great feature of the entertainment was the singing of the Prize National Hymn “God Defend New Zealand” by the company (Lydia Howarde Troupe). It was rendered as a chorus with the Artillery Band accompaniment, and evoked very loud applause, but we think it should have been given as a solo by Miss Howarde with the chorus to repeat the last verse. The music is simple, pleasing and expressive and is sure to become very popular. Mr J. J. Woods may be congratulated on the success which has marked the first production of his spirited composition’.
1876 In the Saturday Advertiser of 16th December 1876 there is an advertisement for the following ‘Messers Mills Dick and Co., the publishers of “Flowers of the Freelands” by Thomas Bracken, have requested us to state that the subscriber’s edition of that work is nearly all taken up, and those who desire to secure copies of the book, should make early application, as it will not be on sale at any of the booksellers’.
1877 In the 22nd February 1877 edition of the Saturday Advertiser there is a column titled "Answers to Correspondents”. The answer to one question is as follows ‘the music of the New Zealand National Hymn is expected by the next Melbourne boat’.
1877 In the Evening Star dated 28th March 1877 there is an article stating ‘the guests of the Lawrence Railway Demonstration Committee are to be conveyed there on Monday by a special train, which will leave town at 9 a.m., returning to Lawrence at 4 p.m. The banquet, for which 150 invitations have been issued, will be held in the Town Hall and presided over by Mr Bastings, M.H.R., as Chairman of the Demonstration Committee. The school children who are to be stationed on the platform at the terminus, and there to sing Bracken’s National Hymn, are to be under the leadership of Mt H. L. Squires.
1877 The Oamaru Mail of 2nd April 1877 states ‘the Lawrence Railway was publicly opened today. A special train left here at 9 o’clock, and reached Lawrence at 12:40p.m., or five minutes behind the appropriate hour. A high holiday has been observed in Lawrence. At the platform were 200 school children, under the leadership of Mr Edward Towsey, and assisted by the Lawrence brass band. The children sang Bracken’s national hymn. Mr Bastings declared the line formally opened for traffic, and an adjournment was made to the Town Hall, where luncheon was provided’.
1877 Another Saturday Advertiser article in the 12th May 1877 edition has a lengthy article concerning the teaching of singing in public schools written by “Sol-fa”. The teacher of the class dictated the song to the pupils saying for example, “strong accent – doh, one pulse, weak accent – me, one pulse” and so on. The song was ‘revealed’ to the pupils and the song turned out to be Bracken’s National song “God defend New Zealand”. The article says ‘it is a smooth-going little piece, for the most part diatonic in its progressions, with several skips of a sixth; the time consists of eight phrases or stanzas, three perfect tonic cadences, one imperfect dominant cadence, and one perfect dominant cadence; it partakes much of the character of a hymn tune and is very singable. The tune, although original, brings forcibly to recollection one of Dr. H. Leslie’s pretty hymn tunes. The words are noble and patriotic and are a credit to our national poet Bracken’.
1877 The Tuapeka Times of the 19th September 1877 tells that ‘on Monday evening the members of the Brass Band enlivened the town by playing a number of spirited airs in the principal thoroughfare. The indefatigable composer (Mr Corrison) was to the fore as usual, and despite the small number of members in attendance he did his utmost to proclaim the fact that Mr Bracken was to Lecture on behalf of the Hospital funds’. Later in this edition it states that ‘Mr Bracken delivered his lecture “An Evening with the Lyric Poets” in the Town Hall, on Monday evening. Mr Bracken proceeded with his lecture, dwelling chiefly on the beautiful compositions of the great lyric poets of Great Britain and Ireland, from the time of Chaucer down to Tennyson of the present day. He referred in glowing terms to the greatest bars the world has ever produced – namely Burns and Moore; and he expatiated, at considerable length, on the characteristics of these illustrious men. He attributed the widespread popularity of Burns’ productions to the fact that they were written by the author to reach the heads and hearts of millions, while Moore’s aim appeared chiefly to be to write for the thousands, or the upper classes. At intervals, Mr Bracken interspersed his lecture with recitations from the works of these great lyrists, and his rendering of a number of Burns’ and Moore’s effusions, and notably of an anonymous production, “Who fears to speak of ‘98”, having reference to the Irish rebellion of that period was very pleasing and were listened to most attentively, being followed by frequent and hearty bursts of applause. In proposing a vote of thanks, Mr Ferguson spoke in flattering terms of the subject matter of Mr Bracken’s lecture, and also referred to the “Flowers of the Free Lands”, which despite the petty carpings of a few New Zealand critics, were well received both in other colonies and at Home’.
1878 The Saturday Advertiser of the 16th March 1878 has a lengthy article about Sir George Grey’s visit to Lawrence. After arriving at Lawrence, Sir George and his party were taken to a large shed where 600 children, under the leadership of Messers. Towsey and Woods, sang the National Hymn, “God defend New Zealand” in first-class style, winding up with “God save the Queen. Sir George was so pleased with the hymn that he complimented Mr J. J. Woods, the composer in very flattering terms, and also dispatched a telegram to the author of the words, Mr T. Bracken: - “Just heard your Anthem sung for the first time by 600 children. Immensely pleased with it – G. Grey””. In another part of the newspaper there is a contradiction regarding the number of children. This article says that ‘Happy Tuapeka – this blessed corner has had it wants so fully supplied by the exertions of it indefatigable member, that Sir George grey remarked, not single deputation had come forward, hat in hand, to interview the ministers. Great Cry and Little Wool – five hundred school children assembled in a wool store at Lawrence and treated Sir George Grey to the Queen’s Anthem and our New Zealand National Hymn. The spirited bleating of the dear little lambs was delightful’.
1878 The New Zealand Times of the 15th June 1878 has a short article about the Saturday Advertiser competition. It ends with the following ‘we beg to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of a copy of the work, received yesterday, which is in every respect a very creditable production’.
1878 The Thames Star of the 28th December 1878 states ‘the singing of the National Anthem and Mr Grigg’s New Zealand Song at the proceedings on Saturday last, when Sir George Grey inaugurated the Thames Valley Railway, calls to my mind a composition by “Old Practical” which that thoroughly good old colonist, and genial settler used to sing at “mess” and other convivial gatherings in and about Drury in the years 1863-64 when the war was on. “Old Practical” had no aspirations in the direction of making his a national anthem, and I cannot say that it would compare with Mr Bracken’s composition, but it had a patriotic ring about it, and if I remember rightly, was set to the music of “Rule Britannia”. Perhaps some of “Old Practical’s” friends may possess a copy of the words. If so, let me publish them. I do know that there is something in the refrain about “Hail New Zealand”, and of its being a land of the free. Mr Bracken may in time come to be considered the Laureate of New Zealand but Old Practical certainly must have a place as being amongst the earlier in composing a song, a hymn and anthem of his adopted country. Praise to his ashes”.
The photos above are of items in the Lawrence Museum.
1913 Frances Harriet Woods, wife of John Joseph Woods is buried in the Lawrence Cemetery. She died on the 25th October 1913 aged 69 years old.
1934 John Joseph Woods is buried in the Lawrence Cemetery. He died on the 9th June 1934 aged 85 years old.
From personal photo collection.
Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Joseph_Woods
www.findagrave.com