Caroline Berking , shown in the middle at left , suffered from persistent ill health during her husband ’ s absence in New Zealand . Maintaining the family ’ s 140-acre plantation at Letogo was a struggle . Eleven Chinese workers were employed on the property but there was no money for an overseer – Caroline had to fulfill that role herself .
She was also alone with no children to lend a hand . A daughter Ernestine had died some years before . Her two surviving children , daughter Elisabeth ‘ Lissy ’ ( born 1902 ) and son Rudolf ( born 1903 ) were both at school in Germany , having been sent there in 1909 .
This photo shows Caroline with a young man who may be her half brother Augustino , whom she adopted , and a niece .
Kamauoha Family Collection , restored T . Brunt 2013
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