Andrew Walter Titter (1885 - 1979)

Memories from Lyn Bolton (Andrew’s great great granddaughter).

Andrews favourite colour was blue and his racing silks were blue and white. He was a water diviner and usually laid in a well on rural properties he had. He showed me how to do it, So bizarre I bent down over the water line, even though I didn't know where it was.

Memories from Lyn Bolton (Andrew’s great great granddaughter).

My Grandmother was Rita, who I spent a lot time with. I also used to go over to Elliot St papakura every couple of months to see them. She was really onto it even at the end. She passed away in hospital. I do have her birth certificate. I need to scan it but my mother copied it in A3 format. Nana had really bad arthritis, so when she bought you a cup of tea. It was shaken until the saucer filled up. Grandad looked after his garden and ran couple of chickens around his garden and in garage until he was in his early 90's. garden was pristine and nana did everything in the house. Nana had her own bedroom. I assumed it was because of her arthritis as I have some and sleeping is difficult some days. unsure. She showed me the picture of Walter (her son) above her bed, she always had there, till she passed away. Grandad dragged her all over. They did not have a car for many years and would walk. I saw a ticket for the Wahine the night it sank. Nana said she was sick and they didnt catch the boat. He said they would have died. House was always neat as a pin. Hair was always in a bun in the later years. She had little gold rimmed glasses. After nana Fanny was gone Grandad was totally lost and lonely.

From the memories of Lyn Bolton

Fanny and Andrew travelled twice on the Oriana and once on another ship. They had a very modest small cabin. no windows. They both travelled the world 3 times as far as a I know. grandad said they were still tripping around the south island in their late 80's how nana managed I do not know. She started at my height 5ft 2. but in the end she was 4ft something, came up to my shoulder.

Passenger list is available for both of them on one ship at least. I never found grandad boastful. In fact he was understated. Yes painted every darn thing. Spots on everything. including the bottom of the house in papakura. He was a very good gardener. Made his own wine in a tiny barrel. would take nana a drink every day. It was always strong. always same colour pink.

Memories from Ivy Watkins

Fanny did everything for ‘uncle’ Andrew, cooked for him, cleaned his house, raised their children - even dressed him, to the point of even tying his shoes.

Andrew loved to go on cruises (with Fanny) - he would delight in pretending to be extremely wealthy and extravagant on these cruises, he loved fooling the other passengers.

Andrew was a very healthy man and was painting his house at the age of 90.

Andrew loved the trots and used to have his own Trotting horses and Trotting track on his property. Ivy and her sister Vina weren’t allowed to ride them but they gave them sugar. Ivy credits her love of horses to be because of these magnificent creatures at her uncles place.

He was ‘Uncle’ Andrew to my mother Ivy and we used to visit him and Fanny. Uncle used to take us into his vegetable garden which was extensive and made in terraces all through his backyard. He would feed us garlic cloves, sitting us down on the steps (made from pavers) while we munched away. He had an old shed on the property, and we would dare each other to jump up and peak in the window -as it appeared ominous to us.

Fanny used to make us tea and it always tasted funny as she used condensed milk in it instead of regular milk. Although us kids didn’t like it - we did the right thing and drank it up without saying a word. I remember they had a large window seat and a curio cabinet in the lounge and the toilet was flushed by pulling on a chain. As the youngest I had to stand on the toilet to reach the chain or get my sister to help me.