Torbay

 The first European owner of land at Torbay Bay was the colourful character of Captain Charles Ross Chomondley-Smith who established a farm at Long Bay in 1859. The Smith brothers soon developed various associated ventures in the area including flax and timber mills at Deep Creek, later to be renamed Torbay after the English seaside town. Kauri logs from Coromandel were brought by scow to the mill but when the supply of timber diminished in the early 20th century the mill was forced to close.

The area, as well as much of the North Shore, had been well dug-over by itinerant gum-diggers.

In 1864 the founder of Auckland - Sir John Logan Campbell - was granted ownership of the area from the South end of Browns Bay north to Okura. Campbell believed that there were viable deposits of coal in the area. However, shafts dug in the cliff between Browns Bay and Torbay proved otherwise - so the land was subdivided and sold.
Other prominent farming families in the area were the Longs and the Vaughans.

To facilitate the collection of farm produce and the delivery of goods a wharf was constructed towards to north end of Torbay beach so that steamers plying to and from the growing city of Auckland could berth. The wooden wharf was damaged beyond repair in a major storm in 1936.

Below - SS Taniwha docked at Torbay in the 1920's:

 Below: Torbay in 1928:

 Below: Torbay also in 1928:

  Below: Torbay in 1953 WA-32328-F: