Constance Rebecca Skelton

Mrs Constance Rebecca Gundrie

1840-1914

Born Constance Rebecca Skelton in England 1840 she immigrated to New Zealand in 1860 landing at Dunedin. She married John Philip Osborne and had a son Philip St. John Osborne born in 1867. Widowed shortly after she later married Walter William Gundrie in 1870.

The Gundries moved north and W. W. Gundrie held timber licenses at Brown Owl Hutt Valley, Pigeon Bush and Morrisons Bush in the Wairarapa before moving to the Ormondville district. He operated sawmills on S. Brabazon's property, Garfield Road and also on Gundries Line.

In 1878 Mrs Gundrie started the first school in Ormondville what is said to have been a hut on the corner opposite the hotel.

She had previously conducted a private school for young ladies in Dunedin. Her second family Florence, Walter and Beatrice were all foundation pupils of Ormondville School.

In 1888 Mrs Gundrie and her children moved to Te Aute taking over the store, which remained in the family until 1970.

Mrs Gundries first son Philip Osborne remained in Ormondville as a shingle maker. He later married Janet Russell a former pupil of Ormondville School and a Pupil Teacher. Janet's brother James Russell was dux in 1902 being awarded Hawke's Bay and Victoria. Scholarships and he later became Director of Education in Suva. Florence Gundrie ran the Te Aute store after her mother's death. Walter Gundrie, Jnr. became a saddler in Tikokino for 17 years then ~ Martinborough until his death.