A woman who was an entrepreneur, popular, but married badly.
The Beginning
Because Cummings the Draper was an entity in Matamata for such a long period, the name has become synonymous with it’s later and longest proprietor John Edward (J. E.) Cummings.
The business was not started by J.E. Cummings. Instead it was his older sister who took the plunge. Catherine Mildred Cummings, known as Mildred or sometimes Millie, was born in 1877. From 1899 until 1908 she appeared on the electoral roll at Owharoa (a mining settlement in the Karangahake Gorge) and gave her occupation as dressmaker.
The first record of her in Matamata is on the 1911 electoral roll. While on 31st August 1911 she was successful in her bid for the renewable lease of the balloted section in what was then Tower Road, but is now Broadway - next door to the Greatbatch building. It is the site between the Greatbatch and Progress buildings and now (2025) houses four small businesses.
The Provisional (land) Register entry records she was a draper. It was a 33 year renewable lease and she was to pay a clear annual rent of Three Pounds Twelve Shillings. But in August 1914, as a result of the Land Laws Amendment Act 1912, the freehold passed into her hands.
It is unlikely she ever had her place of business at that site, as the building in the image above with 'CLOTHIER' on the verandah was the site of the business for over a century. The image is a postcard that was written on 26th March 1912
Establishment
1911 was a big year for Matamata. It was only in October that year that metalling of the streets and roads commenced “Now that the town is growing rapidly, this work is an urgent one” The Waikato Times of 1 November 1911 describes Arawa Street as “the principal thoroughfare of the town”.
Mention of the Cummings siblings in the years 1911 to 1918 is sparse. (because although the Matamata Record was published for the latter part of the period, issues from the first years were lost in a fire in 1919) and we must rely on mention in other Waikato newspapers. But Miss M. Cummings did win prizes at shows for items of handiwork, and John Cummings was called for military service - to commence on the 27th June 1916. He served in Europe and arrived back in New Zealand in April 1919.
On the 1st May 1917, his sister bought another section in Arawa Street. As the postcard from 1912 clearly has M.Cummings’ business in Arawa Street, she must have purchased a building she was previously leasing. (The Matamata Record of Sep 21 1953 in an article on the history of the Value House says the business was opened in a small shop “on the site of the present premises” on 20 Sept 1910). She commenced alterations the following year, 1918.
Advertising
Miss Cummings' advertising was regular.
Marriage
In 1920, at the age of 43, Mildred Cummings married a widowed boot maker from Hamilton with 7 children, Mr Alfred Jones. She left Matamata with much fanfare. A farewell social was held in the town hall. Speeches were made and gifts given. A fulsome report in the Matamata Record of 21 October 1920 included "Matamata was losing a true friend" she had been "a right-down good citizen". She 'disposed of' her business to her brother J. E. Cummings. As always this was announced in the newspaper..
Death
There is little more to be found about Catherine Mildred until her death only 8 years later in September 1928. Although there is a suggestion of other dealings in real-estate. An obituary published in the Matamata Record of 17th September 1928 is even more fulsome than the speeches at her going away party. "As her business grew, so did her largeness of heart". "Her activities helped in no small degree to make the town what it is today."
The contested will
Catherine Mildred made her will in 1924. She conspicuously excluded her husband and divided all her property between her brothers & sisters. Alfred contested the will and the case was fully reported.
One version is here but:- In summary
• The net amount paid in stamp duties on her estate was £7792/14s/2d so her estate was fairly substantial.
• They married, over the course of the marriage Alfred spent a lot of time at the races and going to bowling tournaments, and when home wouldn’t get up before 10 or 11am.
• Catherine Mildred gave him money towards the cost of building a block of shops, bought a section and built a house which they occupied. Despite being in Alfred’s name, the house was full funded by Mildred.
• She bought another section and built a house Alfred’s son lived in. But he wouldn’t pay rent and she had trouble evicting him. Alfred took out a loan on this property for £250 pounds which she paid off.
• The Cummings siblings staged an intervention in 1924.
• Alfred said he looked after his wife in her illness which was why he couldn’t work. However her sister Frances said he took no part in accepting the burden of the illness, and she, Frances, was the one who did the looking after.
• Alfred admitted that his wife had not cost him a single penny during the whole of their married life. She paid the whole of the expenses of her illness.
• His honour accused him of being economical with the truth in his affidavit.
• Alfred admitted that for six years after the marriage he did not work, and had no income.
“Your wife was an industrious woman with a strong sense of duty”? Plaintiff said he did not understand.
“Don’t you know what a sense of duty is?" —"No". (Laughter)
Mr Justice Blair found for the Cummings siblings.
What happened next?
See John Edward CUMMINGS
Sources
Paperspast, Archives New Zealand, Matamata Historical Society, NZ electoral rolls. LINZ (Land Information NZ).
