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The Butler family moved to Papatoetoe in 1918. In 1922 Michael Pierce (Percy) Butler opened Butlers Garage in front of his large homestead on Great South Road. This was in the early days of motoring, where benzine was sold in cases. When the first petrol pumps were introduced they were hand operated. For thirty-seven years Percy's wife, Bessie Butler served petrol, offering advice and friendship and became a well-known figure. Many customers came distances for petrol, eggs and a chat.

The first Catholic Mass in Papatoetoe was offered in Bessie's house in 1921, and Mass continued to be celebrated there until a church was built. Bessie tended the pumps for more than ten years after Percy's death, until she died in 1959.

Bessie and Percy's eldest daughter Beatrice Ena (Ena) married Vivian Alphonso Watkins on Boxing Day 1931. They bought the section at 238 Great South Road next to Butler's Garage and raised their two sons Clive and Tony there. Clive continues to live there, it being the last private house in Hunters Corner.