OLD KUMARA.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18626, 26 February 1926, Page 4

OLD KUMARA.

LIFE ON GOLDFIELDS.

RECORDS AND ANECDOTES,

JAMES ROBINSON'S REWARD.

James Robinson, who followed the prospectors and discovered their claim, was considered by Mr R. J. Seddon to be entitled to the reward for finding the Kumara goldfields. This was shown by Air Seddon's action in moving the following resolution at a meeting of the Wcstland County Council:—"That this Council vote James Robinson the sum of two bunded pounds, as a reward for his perseverance in prospecting the Kumara goldfickl, and giving public notification of the discovery after proving it payable, and further, that in the opinion of this Council, James Robinson would have been entitled to the sum previously offered by the General Government for the discovery of new goldfields had such reward not lapsed. That the Council under the circumstances would recommend the General to place on the estimates a sum of money for James Robinson, equal (in conjunction with the vote of the Council) to that previously offered by the Government for the discovery of new goldfields, and that the Council would respectfully urge upon, the Government the advisability of again offering rewards for the discovery of new goldfields." This meeting was somewhat lively, by the wav. During the discussion Mr McWhirter remarked that Mr Seddon "must be a liar," and threatened to throw aa inkstand at that gentleman's head. The latter retorted by "observations respecting ignorant remarks from ignorant persons.''

Hotel Fare. West Coast hotels have always been renowned for the fare provided, but fresh meat and vegetables wero hard to procure in tho first ,fo\v months. Later, however, there was plenty of everything, and the following menu, ;whieh was provided at the Albion dining-rooms at the corner of Alain and Seddon streets, was typical of the food provided for the diggers : Dinner: Vegetable soup, fresh fish, roast beef, roast mutton, stuffed mutton, boiled mutton, corned beef, roast pork; vegetables: cabbage, carrots, turnips, parsnips, peas, potatoes; dessert: plum pudding, apple pudding, niaizena, jam roll, apple pie, cheese—one shilling and sixpence. Despite the difficulties of transit, groceries were in some cases cheaper than to-day, for instance: Candles Is pe r lb, currants 6d per lb, jams 31b tins 2s 3d, Worcester sauce (large) Is, tea (best) 2s Cd lb, tobacco, all brands, 4s 6d )I>. coffee Is 6d lb, cocoa Is 9d, onions 61b Is.

Reception for the Bear. Memories of Sebastopol and Balaclava evidently were responsible for the words of the following song, which was dedicated to a volunteer force which came into existence in the early days of Kumara:— Air—Bow-Bow-wow, etc. Now all yon larrikin volunteers, Just listen awhile to me, But mind you don't get frightened If the Russians cross the sea. We beat them at the Crimea, When they kicked up a row, And we are able to beat them again, my boys, If they come up the Taramakau. Chorus —Bow-Bow-wow. So cheer up, my gallant volunteers, And mind you attend to drill, And if the Bear comes here, my hoys, We will prove a bitter pill. For yon have men amongst you Who won't run away, I trow. Oh, what a treat, if we should meet The Bear on the Trramakau. Chorus —Bow-Bow-wow. " The First Tramway. Kumara had a tramway as early as 1877. On that date the GreymouthKumara horse tramway was opened, and the first car ran through the following day.. A "Tin-Kettling. "The larrikins mustered in great force last evening in front of premises in Seddon street, at which marriage festivities were going on. In accordance with a custom 'more honoured in the breach than the observance, they serenaded the 'happy couple' with hideously discordant music. The police were equal to the occasion and came down on the rioters very speedily. The result of the 'charge' was the capture of no fewer than seven kerosene tins, which the peace officers bore off in triumph."—"Kumara Times," March, '77. Fun in the Court. Chinese frequently have grotesque names. At the Stafford-Court in '77, in a dispute amongst Chinese in the Warden's Court, one Celestial gave his name as Dam You, at which the Warden and all present laughed. This laugh culminated when the Warden said, 'Dam You, get into the bos, then!'" Nearly 50 Public-Houses. Warden Price was extremely unpopular with some of the people in Kumara because he refused to grant hotel licenses indiscriminately. "In June, '77, as special licensing officer for Kumara, he sat at Courthouse. In opening the proceedings he called attention to the disproportion of licensed houses in Kumara compared with other towns. In Christchurch, with a population of SQOO, there were oniy BQ. licensee. In. Hokitika 50» in

Greymouth 32, in Wellington 42, Kumara,. with a population of 1400, had already 40 licenses, and now applied for nine more. After a protracted hearing one new application, that of James Home, National Hotel, Seddon street, was granted. Seddon Elected Mayor. On the evening of August 20th, 1877, the friends of Mr R. J. Seddon celebrated his election as first Mayor of Kumara. He secured 103 votes, and Mr Peter Dungan, his opponent, polled 73. After both candidates had addressed the crowd assembled at the Courthouse, the friends of Air Seddon lost no time in making a public demonstration. They formed an irregular procession, headed by Air Seddon, supported arm-in-arm by two of his most enthusiastic admirers, and paraded the town to -the strains of a brass band. At every hotel whose proprietor had supported Air Seddon a halt was made and the health of "The Mayor" duly pledged. At Air Archer's Hotel, whore the fire brigade had rendezvoused, the men turned out, manned their carriage, and placed Air Seddon on it, be having donned a red jacket and brass helmet. The procession again started for the Theatre, where Mr Seddon again returned thanks. The procession was re-formed and soon reached * the Queen's Hotel Air Seddon's). Here all were invited to enter and champagne became the order, of the night. The Brigade then had a practice on Seddon's Buildings with ladders and buckets, at the conclusion of which a "tableau" illuminated by coloured fires was improvised on the top of the hotel. The first Mayor of Kumara, clad in his fireman's dress, was made the central figure, having the men of the Brigade grouped on either side. The demonstration was brought to a close by the singing ot "Rule, Britannia!" and "God Save tne Queen."

A Ministerial Visit. Sir George Grey received a wonderful welcome when he visited Kumara in February, 1878. His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. J. Seddon) welcomed Sir George, who was presented with an address, read by the - lown Clerk (Mr James Wylde). Sir George ha* nig replied, the party "retired to the Crown Hotel, where Mr bj»i «I*'<« had prepared a la Franchise m tne upstairs dining room, a luniieon <J a manner that;, would have reflected credit upon any caterer in the colony. After luncheon, Sir George an 1 partsproceeded to Dillmanstown, whs-o an address from the miners was presented. In the weiring. Sir George was entertained at a banquet at the Ailnc Hall, to which a largo number ol invited guests general public sat down. , ~,. . , .' , IT- next morning the Alimstenai Partv started for Hokitika, Sir George being driven in a buggy, drawn by four horses, bv Mr H. L. Robinson, chairman. Westland County Council. Eetition for Warden's Removal..

When the movement was afoot to obtain Warden Price's removal from Kpniara, public men and newspapers in other parts of "New Zealand struck blows in his defence. The Rangiora "Standard" commented as follows on the question:— "A petition, cireulated by a lot or idiots on the Kumara Goldfield, is going the rounds of that district. The contents of the document in question are in effect to ask the Government to cause an investigation into the conduct f Mr Matt Price, with a view to his removal. Whatever can be said against that gentleman's eccentricities in private life, it has long been admitted that he is by far one of th* ablest magistrates in the colony. A skilled lawyer, a fearless man, not caring a jot for 'prince, parson, or publican.' Captain Price's services to the Government and the "iiblic have, for a, great many years past, been most valuable. Of course, ho cares not, in the execution of his duties up"n whose soft-corns he treads." An "Old Man" Tlood. Greenstone was wrecked by a flood in February, 1877. The following account of the catastrophe is taken from the files of the Kumara "Times."

"Mr Foley's hotel, store, and butcher's shop were completely washed away, also some sheep, and Mrs Foley and chil.d had to make a hasty escape for their lives. Nothing was 6aved. and "-he damage was estimated at between £7OO and £BOO. Mr William. Morgan's cottage, furnit.. i, etc., were also carried away; Davidson's boot and shoe store partially destroyed, but furniture and stock saved: Harris's Hotel partiallv destroyed; while numerous huts "have also disappeared Some doubt exists as to the safety of the_ Chinese at Maori Point. Some of their huts have gone and some of the Chinese are missing The road between the Junction and Marsden is in a fearful state. Landslips are frequent, and in one place near Cassidy's old store, there is a gap over a chain wide The approaches to the bridge over the Vew River at Marsden are also gone Altogether the road from Kumara to Marsden is a wreck, and we are assured on competent authority, that it will be at least three ■weeks before & coach will be able to travel the distance."