Fisherman French Louie (real name Leopold Haupois) stands proudly outside his shack at Makara Beach on Wellington’s west coast, around 1907. French Louie, from Normandy, had gone to sea aged 10 and eventually landed in Wellington. He was quite a character, who shared his shack with many cats and loved nothing better than to be out in his open boat setting nets and lines. He disliked the city, and after excursions to Wellington was pleased to return to Makara Beach.