Elizabeth Frances Tunks

The land bounding Devonport Road and Elizabeth Street in Tauranga was originally known as Mareanui. Elizabeth Street was so named for Elizabeth Frances Tunks (nee Boylan), wife of Capt. Thomas Tunks (1809-1886), who had retired from the Durham Light Infantry.

TUNKS — BOYLAN On May 31, at St Matthew’s Church, Auckland, by the Rev David Jones, Captain Tunks, 1st Waikatos, to Bessie, youngest daughter of the late John Boylan Esq, Phepotstown House, County Meath, Ireland. No cards. [Southern Cross, Thur 2 Jun 1864, p3]

TUNKS On September 27, 1916 at her residence 'Coonough', Tauranga, Elizabeth Frances, widow of the late Captain Thomas Tunks, 68th Regiment, Durham Light Infantry, aged 84. Interred privately this day. [Bay Of Plenty Times, Volume XLV, Issue 6776, 29 September 1916, Page 2] It is our sad duty to chronicle the death of one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Tauranga in the person of Mrs E. F. Tunks,* which occurred at their residence, "Coonough," Cameron Road, at 11 o'clock on Wednesday evening at the age of 84 years, The late Mrs Tunks was widow of the late Captain Thomas Tunks, of the 68th Regiment, Durham Light Infantry. She was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1832, and came out to New Zealand in the ship "Bank of England," landing at Auckland in December, 1855. Among her fellow passengers were, the late Rev. Robert Burrows and Mrs Burrows, Mrs C. F. Hulme (nee Miss Burrows), Sir Moses Montefiore, and Mr G. P. Pierce (afterwards general manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Ltd.). Mrs Tunks was married to Captain Tunks at St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, by the Rev. David Jones in 1884, and came to Tauranga the following year, residing here ever, since. The late Captain Tunks, who was associated with the public life of Tauranga for a long period, died in l886. Mrs Tunks was the last surviving member of her family. She was a sister of the late Mr J. T. Boylan, well known in Auckland and at one time a member of the Auckland Provincial Council. Her surviving family are: Mrs Bull, wife of Mr J. Bull, Tauranga; Mr C. J. Tunks, senior partner of the legal firm of Messrs Jackson, Russell, Tunks and Ostler; end Captain A. F. Tunks, who is in command of the J Company of the 14th Reinforcements, now at Sling Camp, Salisbury, England. There are also eight grandchildren, one of whom, Corporal W. D. Tunks, is now at the front, having gone with the 9th Reinforcements. Deceased was a well educated cultured lady of the old school, and was held in the very highest esteem by all who knew her. She possessed a keen sense of humour, was very generous, and was never known to say an unkind word, and through all the stirring times of the Maori war her house was ever open. She was also noted for her deep and sincere, though simple piety. The sympathy of the whole community will be extended to the family in their bereavement. The interment, which was private, took place this afternoon, deceased's remains being laid to rest in the Military Cemetery beside those of her late husband. The service at the graveside was conducted by Rev. Mr Rattray in the absence of Ven. Archdeacon Tuke, who is away at the Synod. 1916/10448 Tunks Elizabeth Frances 84Y [Bay Of Plenty Times, Volume XLV, Issue 6776, 29 September 1916, Page 3]

AN EARLY SETTLER. MRS. E. F. TUNKS. Mrs. Elizabeth F. Tunks, who passed away at Tauranga on Wednesday of last week, at the age of 84, was one of tho oldest residents in the Bay of Plenty district, and landed in Auckland from the ship "Bank of England" in December, 1855. Amongst her fellow passengers were tho Rev. Robert Burrows and Mrs. Burrows, Mrs. C. F. Hulme, nee Burrows, Sir Moses Montifiore, and Mr. G. P. Pierce, afterwards general manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company. Mrs. Tunks was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1832, and was married in 1864, at St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, by the Rev. David Jones, to the late Captain Thomas T. Tunks, of the 68th Regiment, Durham Light Infantry. In the following year she and Captain Tunks settled at Tauranga, where she had lived ever since. Captain Tunks was long associated with the public life of Tauranga, and died in 1886. Mrs. Tunks, who was the last surviving member of her family, was a sister of the late Mr. J; T. Boylan, at one time a member of the Auckland Provincial Council. Her surviving family are:—Mrs. Bull, wife of Mr. J. Bull, Tauranga; Mr. G. J. Tunks, senior partner of the legal firm of Messrs. Jackson, Russell, Tunks and Ostler, and Captain A. F. Tunks, who is in command of the J Company of tho fourteenth reinforcements. There are also eight grand-children, one of whom, Corporal W. D, Tunks, is now at the front. Source: New Zealand Herald (5 October 1916, p. 9).