Romance of a Borough

Evening Star, Issue 19723, 25 November 1927, Page 10

Romance of a Borough

Settlers of West Harbor Early Struggles of the Council Fiftieth Anniversary To-morrow & decided atmosphere of romance centres around the settlewont of West Harbor. In the first place, the story concerns a lone white man, Mr Thomas Corbett do Lacy, who could aptly be termed the district’s pioneer. In tho year 1855 a boat loft the upper reaches of Otago Harbor with a sole occupant, who, after an hour’s steady pull, arrived at his destination and tied up to a tree at the water’s edge. The trip had been of special interest to tho owner of this boat, as he had come to inspect .some land—about 10 acres—of which he had become the owner. Tho hillside was covered with native bush, and abounded with native birds, who greeted the newcomer with a characteristic curiosity peculiar to the birds of Now Zealand. Pigeons, kakas, tuis, koromikos, fantails, and robins were plentiful in tho branches of the trees, while Maori hens, more daring than the rest as they ran from under the dense undergrowth, were almost trodden on as tho stranger stepped ashore. After a scramble through tho bush a fci-nclad gully was discovered, a small creek with dear running water hewing quietly into the bay adding to its attraction. It was hero that Mr Thomas Corbett do Lacy, tho first white man to settle in tho district, decided to pitch his tent. This tent he occupied for some time previous to building the fern whare ho and his wife afterwards occupied for a number of years. Tho wharo was to be seed in its original position as late as 1923, when it w'as pulled down to make room for a modern house, having stood for close on 70 years. Mr Do Lacy lived here until 1873. The block of land ho occupied was then sold to Messrs Proudfoot and Oliver, tho contractors for tho DunediuPort Chalmers line. He built a more convenient house at Mala, in which he lived until 1898. when ho sold out and lived in Dunedin.

Mr De Lacy died iu 1913 at the ago of hi) years. Ho was a man of retiring disposition, but always took a keen interest in West Harbor. Ho was a keen horticulturist and a great lover of native bush. From 1860 to 1871 ho was employed in the Customs Department. In fine weather ho rowed up to Dunedin in the morning, and if the weather was still favorablo ho would return by boat in tbo evening. If tho weather was rough bo would tramp to town over Stony Hill, using a track which brought him to what is now known as Dundas street. NAMING RAVENSBOURNE. Tho way in which Ravcnsbuurno obtained its name was related by Mi- Dc Lacy to a friend. When he landed from Ida little boat ho was struck with the fearlesness ofvtho vvekas, which darted almost under his feet. At the time he did not know their name, but compared them with little brown ravens. Tho Hon. J. Fulioii, ■ resident of tho Taieri, when a boy. went to school at (Blackheath, in. the Homeland, aud in conversation with Mr Do Lacy mentioned that there was a stream near 'Blackheath called Ravensbourne. Mr l)e Lacy was struck with the name, and, remembering his experience with the “little brown ravens,” deckled there and then to call tho place Ravenshourne. Where tho Eavensbpurno Bowling Green is located to-day the first jetty was built in the late ’sixties by an old whaler from rough timber cut in the bush. This man owned a speciallyconstructed boat built to carry to Dunedin the firewood _ hewn from the heavily-timbered hillside. Mr H. L. Mainland, now of Burkes, who lived in Ravensbourne in early _ times, bailt fc with the assistance of his brother, tho first yacht in the township. BLACK JACK’S POINT. Many controversies have taken place concerning tho name “Black Jack’s Point.” It is said it was so called after a nickname given to the famous Maori chief, Tukawaiki. Captain Popplewell, the first European to bring a vessel into tho Upper Harbor—this was in 1345—left Wellington in tho schooner Garnet, charged with tho task of delivering it to Tukawaiki, who was also known as “ Bloody ” Jack by tho whalers. The warrior, who was waiting for the Garnet, becoming impatient, left for Weilington_ in another craft, and, without knowing it, passed the Garnet at sea somewhere between Otago Heads and Wellington. Captain Popplewell brought the vessel up the harbor and anchored for some time off “Black Jack's Point.” Another version is this: As the , harbor-side became populated fern whares were built here aud there in clearings in tho bush. There being no road, all transport on tho harbor was with small craft—lighters and cutters. One worthy character, who was a negro, possessed a cutter, and as it lay off the point ho buil x a fern hut near the, shore on the sunny side of tho point. This man was _ known as “ Black Jack,” and it is generally agreed that the point derives its name from him. Black Jack lived there for a number of years, and sold firewood in Dunedin. For a period ho looked after the harbor beacon light, which was reached from the shore by a bridge notfar from the present Ravensbourne railway station. At this spot at one time a reef of loose stones and boulders jutted out from a clay ridge. A remnant of the reef can be seen to-day at low tide, but the clay ridge .was removed many years ago by the Railway Department, for filling-in purposes along the line, while the stones were used in the construction of the walls of the Ravensbonrne baths (which were Built in 18851.. now demolished. It was at this place that 30 years previously Mr De Lacy had first landed. Tho old channel, running past the end of tho reef, is a natural scour, and the beacon was built in the ’sixties for the purpose of warning the small craft to keep clear of the reef. The beacon was dismantled over 30 years ago, but it is still remembered by some of the residents. Some persons sny that this is the genuine “ Black Jack’s Point,” but there is a very slender chance of this being the case Before the white man arrived the point, as we know it to-day, had a Maori name. The late Charles Fynmore was acquainted with many of the local Maori place names, and he left on record that the point was known as .Tauranga Pipipi, meaning “shallow water.” The beaches where-canoes were hauled-up were called “Tauranga.” Mr Do Lney’s-climb over Stony Hill from Ravensbourne to Dunedin was by an ill-defined track. _ He was of the opinion that at ope time this track was used by tho native.?,_ as ,be had discovered several Maori ovens near the spring- on the crest of the hill. These ovens; can bo seen to-day r showing wclibnrnt stones. The Maori name of Ravensbourne is Kaitaka Tamariki. DECLARED A MUNICIPALITY.

On: August IS, 1877, the residents of Ravensbounie and the surrounding district on the harbor side petitioned tho Hon.' James Superintendent of tho Province, for a municipality. There were 130 signatures to the petition, and after duo consideration the request was granted by the Provincial Government. An election took place in the Ilaveiisbourno schoolhouse on November 20, 1877. Mr Thomas Corbett Do Lacy wa« elected mayor by a majority of 21 votes over his opponent, Air Norman Wood, tho polling being—Do Lacy 81, Wood 03. On the following day tho dcctum of

- nine councillors to represent the municipality took place. At fi o’clock tho poll closed, and about an hour afterwards tho returning officer (Mr James Kirby) announced the result. As some of tho voters had. declared _ that the voting was informal, Mr David Blackie asked on their behalf that tho returning officer .should state before ho announced the result of the polling the votes be deemed to bo informal. Mr Kirby said that bo declared snob voting papers to bo informal as did not contain uncalled led tho names of nine of _ the candidates. Ho was of the opinion that this was the proper reading of i tho Act, and its legality would have to be tested in a court of law. Ho had construed tho wording of the Act in a certain way and had acted accordingly in a conscientious manner. Ho then declared tho result of the polling as follows (tho first nine being elected) Robert Curie, David Blackie, James Palmer, David Kilgour, Carl Mollcr, Daniel White, James Gcclso, Andrew Bamberry, Francis Smith’ 1 ', Samuel Finder, Thomas Carr, aud Robert Bacon. COUNCIL’S FIRST MEETING. Tho first meeting of tbo council was held in tbo Ravensbourne schoolhouse oa November 26, 1877. It was presided over by tho mayor, and seven councillors attended, but tho meeting was adjourned until an interpretation by tho Resident Magistrate (Mr J. Bathgate) had been obtained as to tho legality of the election. Mr Bathgate subsequently declared the election mill and void as Mir Kirby had not allowed plumping for candidates. Another election took place_ and tiie poll resulted iu tho candidates of tho previous election being returned, with tho exception of one, Mr Nathan ‘Hart taking his place. Mr Bathgate in his judgment said that ho was nob surprised at the action of tho returning officer, tho Act being a new one. ft had only been passed the previous year, and the returning officer had been misled by limiting the word “only,” and by the view that each voter required to vote_ for nine candidates. It was a recognised practice that an elector could vote for nine candidates, and there was nothing to prevent any elector from returning a loss number than the required councillors if ho thought fit. Tho word “only” should have been read “not more than.” Tho finding was that the voting papers had been improperly re- ! jected, but it was a mistake that any returning officer might have made. UTILISING PRISON LABOR. "When the council mot on December 31, 1877, tbo members were able to legally perform their duties, but the only, business carried through was to make a declaration as required by the Act, and also the appointment of Mr Wm. Bolt as town clerk. The council, after the first delay, soon “got into step,” and in the first year of office selected Mr R. Hay as engineer for the widening and finishing of the main road to Sawyers Bay. Prison labor was to be utilised, and tenders were called for surveying tho road from Maia to Sawyers Bay. As the council had no Funds its first stop was to obtain an overdraft from tho bank, aud as security it “ therefore engaged to lodge with tho bank tho rates levied within the borough.” Being now in funds, it' applied to Mr Caldwell, tho governor of the Dunedin Gaol, for prison labor. A surfaceman was also engaged to keep the roads in order. A room in the hall belonging to Air S. J. Jackman was secured as a council chamber, and it has been used over since for that purpose. It was decided to < divide the borough into wards, the rates, to be spent in tho ward in which the money was collected. Tho four wards are no\y known as Ravensbourne, Rothesay, St. Leonards, and Sawyer’s Bay, but the original names were Do Lacy, Burke, Kilgour, and Willclilf, called after four of the earliest settlers of the district. It was soon 'found that the council was overrunning its revenue, and a poll was taken on the question of rising a loan of Iff),000. The proposal was carried by 11 votes (52 to 41), and it was resolved that debentures be issued‘for the whole amount, that 112,000 be at once realised, and that the remainder be taken up as opportunity permitted. At this. Lime tho council was not a very happy family, and three councillors resigned and left the room, holddug that the minutes of the previous meeting were illogal. New councillors were elected in their stead. Air Do Lacy 1 having completed his term of office as mayor, Air David Blackie was elected to till the chair. Air Bolt resigned the position of town clerk, aud Air W. J. Newton was appointed. By this time tho main road bad been improved considerably, and as time wont on roads, not very satisfactory ones, were made in the places, wberb sections had been bought. FINANCES AT LOW EBB. In _ November, 1879, Air David Blackie retired from the office of mayor, and Air Norman Wood was elected. In Ravensbourne and Rothesay wards footpaths were formed 4ft wide in Manuka, Bishop, and Castle streets, and tho property owners, in each case, who lived nearby, were charged with half the cost of the construction. As the loan money had been freely spent on road construction tho finances of the borough again became very low, and councillors wore somewhat anxious. The Finance Committee reported at a mooting held on January 20,. 1860, that it, had carefully. gone into matters relating to

the financial position of the council, the bank having refused an .overdraft unless tho councillors became individually'responsible and liable for same. In view ot this the committee advised the council that no more work of contracts be entered into, and that debentures for a loan bo issued as security to some person or persons willing to grant tho council an advance on thorn. This report was signed by Mr Robert Jack, as chairman. As soon as tho committee’s report was presented the bank stopped tho overdraft (£800), and tho council decided to suspend all contracts. Eventually another loan was raised, and the rates were raised, with tho result that all the unfinished work was restarted.- Being now in a position to pay its way, tho council', towards tho end of the year, considered a proposal to build a town hall for the borough, as £2O was paid annually in rent for the council chambers. MiBasil Sievwright offered a site lice, opposite tho St. Leonard’s railway station, and stated that ho would advance £SOO towards tho cost of building a hall provided that tho plans wore approved by him. A reply was sent thanking Mr Sievwright, but the council considered that though the position was central the locality was thinly populated, and it would have to decline tho offer on that account. The Ravensbourno Lodge, 1.0.0. E., then offered tho use of its building on the same conditions as _Mr Jackman 1 allowed, but with the inducement that tho hall upstairs could be used lointimes during the year for - public meetings. It was decided not to entertain the proposal. The members next inspected a section at the corner ot Bishop and Montague streets, Ravenshourno, but made no provision for buying, though it was considered that the site was suitable. In 1903 the present building was purchased from Mr Jackman. Mr John M'Neil became mayor in 1881. The council found that it was short ot money to finish the main road; more money was borrowed, and ’t was not long before the road was completed to Sawyer’s Bay, almost wholly by prison labor. > HARBOR BOARD GETS BUSYi It was about 1880 that tho Otago Harbor Board started the work of reclaiming tho “ bend ” between Black Jack’s P.oin't ami the Ravensbourno railway station. A retaining wall to hold dredged sand was constructed, and two pow-erful derricks running on circular rails were provided to lift tho sand in largo', boxes, from punts,' which were, towed from _ a dredge lifting spoil from tho Victoria Channel. Tho sand, after being deposited on a ramp, was taken in trucks to the area to he filled in. Tho method was slow, but it was the “modern” method of that day. Burkes in 1807 was practically all I dense bush, there being no road and not even a track, as communication with,Dunedin was by water. The 'Burkes Brewery was then in full swing, and there was a substantial jetty from which tho paddle si,earner Golden Ago took on board tho output of the brewery. A few of the posts of the structure arc still to be seen. There were only a few houses at Burkes at this time. About 50 years ago there was a track from Ravensbourne to Burkes., Later an improvement was made when a portion of the road was formed and metalled. Mr (now Professor) White was tho first teacher at St. Leonards. Ho informed Mr O’Donnell recently that it used to take him four hours to walk from Dunedin, a distance of a little over four miles. Ho took with liim every Monday sufficient provisions to last a. week. Mr Sievwright owned practically all St. _ Leonards, with the exception of a choice area held by the late Mr, Job Wain. A SPECTACULAR BLAZE, Tho late Mr David Carey (one time of Carey’s Bay, Port Chalmers) arrived in Now Zealand in 1840. He was probably tho first owner of land at St. Leonards, and gave the place its name —after the native place of his wile, St. Leonards-on-Sea, England. Sawyers Bay was called after the many sawyers’ pits that were worked there in the first days of tho settlement. At ono time it was the most heavily timbered section of tho harborsidc, containing some splendid specimens of red and black pine, totara, and rairo. A number of these trees were Gft in diameter at the base and 30ft or -10 ft high. Two of the first pit sawyers were Mr John Manning and Mr James Booten. Most of the others were runaway sailors. Many of the houses erected in Dunedin and Port Chalmers about that timo were built with timber cut in the saw pits and mills ol Sawyers Bay. In-the early ’eighties most of the heavy bush had been cleared from the level area. Then a fire broke out on. the hillside, raging for many days, and along with tho bush most, of the stumps, branches, and second grow-th were burnt, a strong gale helping tho lire to spread. Many people went from Dunedin to tho Mount Cargill road to view tho spectacle. WELL-KNOWN SETTLERS, Many years ago a tannery. was started at Sawyers Bay, and since then it has been considerably extended, giving employment to a largo number of hands. Sawyers Bay was surveyed into approximately 10-acre blocks in 1840 by Messrs William Chitton, H. Charlton, and R. Park. Some of the earliest settlers were tho Hcnseys, Clemiusons, Perrys, Millers, Rohais, Camerons, Downes, Stumbles, Wliittocks, Dukes, Styles, and Ryans, while George Dobson kept a stud farm which was known far and near. At Blanket Bay and Arden Bay close by the Curies, Wal- 1 kers, and Bamberys settled. Blanket Bay received its name from tlu> fact that thoro was a sheltered spot in the bay in' which the early settlers sometimes anchored and slept overnight on their way to Dunedin from Port. Chalmers. Mr John M'Neil, who was the Sawyers Bay representative on the council, resigned the mayoral chair in 1883, land Mr David Young took the posij tion. In the past tho finances of tho !, borough had been heavily taxed in an [effort to improve tho district, but it was still a struggle to make both ends meet. Mr Youiig had as much work before him as previous mayors, but not ! quite the same anxieties, as the bank \ now allowed an overdraft, and the main 1 road was completed to Sawyers , Bay. i The council oven went into the question of building baths on the foreshore 'at Ravensbourne, and picked several I sites. However, a private ,company was | formed, and plans were drawn by Messrs Oakden and Bogg for a swimming bath (180 ft long), with bathing boxes. The baths, were officially opened under the patronage-of tho mayor and councillors on November 7, 1885. Mr W. M. Hodgkins, a resident, interested ! himself in a recreation ground for the i district and in a letter to the council 1 asked that when the area, which the Harbor Board was reclaiming from the harbor,- w-as finished application should bo made to the board for a sports ground. This was done; and a few years afterwards ah area of. ground near the railway station was set aside as a recreation ground, and was used as such until-tho present splendid area of six and 'a-half acres was secured for recreation, purposes in 1907. Mr Uislop was the first member to represent West Harbor on the Otago Harlior Board, while Mr David Young took a seat, as a member of the Otago Hospital Board, representing the borough. Previous to 1885 the district had not been represented on. these two boards. Mr Young retired from the mayoralty in 1880, and ' was succeeded by Mr W. M. Hodgkins, a solicitor. During Ms term of office, the borough made splendid, progress. Tho next mayor w-as Mr William Barclay, and, while he was in power, ,t.lio roads were greatly improved. Mr David Larnach succeeded Mr James Taylor as town clerk, and, like his predecessor, took a keen interest in his duties.

GOOD W-ORK ACCOMPLISHED. When the Dunedin-Port Chalmors railway was taken over by the Government in 1873 an agreement, it was understood, had been made between Mr Do Lacy ami the Government of the day to pay compensation to the extent oi I'iU.UUU: This money was to be used lor the maintenance of the main road and to satisfy claims that might be made against tho Government upon its effecting the purchase of the lino from Messrs T’roudfoot and Oliver. Or Thomas Hess brought the matter up during the time that Mr Barclay was mayor, and it remained in abeyance though not forgotten. To Or llqss is chiefly due tho credit for the jetties, which have been in use sii.ee 1892, and arc still appreciated by yachtsmen and others. Air • Ross became mayor in 1891. and resigned on December 6, 1892, when the council presented him with an illuminated address. Mr A. \V. Maurais succeeded, and revived the claim of the council against the Government. Mr De Lacy, who had long retired from local politics, was consulted, and gave all tho information ho possessed concerning the agreement. A committee was appointed by tho council to go into the question, and Air Laruach (town clerk) was despatched to Wellington to support the claim while Mr James Mills, then member for tho district, was requested to present to Parliament a petition. The Public Petitions Committee reported favorably. Mr J. A. Millar, who succeeded Mr Mills in the House, subsequently took tho case up, and, although the claim was not allowed by tho Government in full, grants have been made from time to time to maintain the main road. A SUCCESSION OF MAYORS, Air Alaurais resigned on December, 22, 1893, and Air Charles Duke became mayor. After two years’ service in the mayoral chair, Air Duke resigned and Air D. Harris Hastings then nllel the chair, and tho first proposition that he put before the council was to tile effect that His Excellency the Governor bo asked to change the name of tho Borough of West Harbor, suggesting that a Alaori name be given instead of the old name. The power to do this was given under a new act, known as the Designation District Act. Nothing came of the proposal, but quite a number of residents regretted that the suggestion was not carried out. When Air Hastings retired on Deceinber 1, 1896, Mr T. Ross again became mayor. At this time the first grant of £250 was made by tho Government towards the maintenance of tho main road. After serving two years Mr Boss retired, and was presented with a marble clock by the council- Then entered Mr H. E. Aloller, who was installed mayor on October 10, 1899. Jt was not long before tho people of West Harbor found that ho was keenly anxious to further and improve tho work of those who had occupied the chair before him. Mr Aloller was horn in Dunedin in 1870, and came to reside in Ravensbourne with his parents when he was about six years of ago. He started his education in the Ravensbourno School at tho time when _ the borough was emerging from its primitive days, and he has seen tho district grow since then right down the years. A respected resident,of tho early days was Air John Barr, well known by his appellation of " Craigic-lea.’’ To use Air Barr’s own words, he emigrated to Otago “ to hew out a corner for himself and family in tho wildernesH.” Ho had a reputation for genial humor, and a talent for composing songs and poems. “ LET THERE BE LIGHT.” Mr Moiler was mayor for nearly two years, and on his retirement the council presented him with an illuminated address. He was followed by Air S. T. Bolton, who was elected mayor <u June 4, 1901. Mr Aloller did not offer his services tor the borough again until 1905, when lie was elected cpuncillor for Ravenshourne ward. After serving one yeafr in the mayoral chair Air Bolton retired and Air F. G. Cray was elected to fill tho position. Mr Cray brought before tho council a proposal to light the district. Gas was suggested, to bo obtained from the city mains, but as it happened tho City Council could not at the time _see. its way to agree to the scheme which was dropped. In 1905 negotiations were entered into with the City Council for a supply of electric light and power for the district, and in time the electric supply became available. Air David Larnach succeeded Mr Cray as, mayor in 1905. During his torn, of office the council approached the Otago Harbor Board with a request that a portion of the reclaimed ground at Ravonsbnurne should be set aside for a recreation ground for the borough. A few years afterwards, an area of six and a-half acres was secured, and tho present sports ground has since then been in use as a recreation ground for the athletic bodies, and as a playground for the children of tho district. * Mr Aloller was again elected mayor on June 5, 1906. It was shortly after his'election'that the council installed electric current for street lighting and homo lighting. Air Aloller occupied the mayoral chair for seven consecutive years. Before his retirement the post office was opened for public business by Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, Postmaster' General, on April 25, 1913. MR MOLLER AND OTHERS, Air W. Crawlcv was elected mayor on May 6, 1913, and after ably holding the chair for one year ho was succeeded by Air James Blackie on Alay 5, 1914. This was just prior to the outbreak of the Great War, and naturally Air Blackie, during his two years of office, had much important work of a patriotic nature to perforin. Air H. E. Aloller was again prevailed upon to offer his services as mayor, and he consented to do so. As with Air Blackie, he had much to do in attending to patriotic duties, and, as was the case with every other _ Now Zealander at that time, lie did all that lay in his power to bring victory and peace to a struggle which lasted for over four years. Later it was decided to erect in the district a monument to tho_ memory of tho men who went from West Harbor to take part in the war. Voluntary contributions were received, and a monument with the men’s names inscribed thereon was erected in Ravensbourne in 1920, while another monument was erected in Sawyers Bay. Air Aloller finally retired from local politics on Alay 3, 1927. Air Aloller during his long term of office won the esteem and gratitude of the residents of the borough. Ho had placed to his credit a record which probably cannot be surpassed in any other part of the dominion. His services, which had been ungrudgingly given, wore recognised and appreciated, and he was tendered a complimentary social iu the Town Hall at Ravensbourno on October 12, 1927, where he was presented with a beautiful cabinet gramophone by the residents of West Harbor as a slight mark of their appreciation of.his long years of devoted service to the borough. ’’ The present mayor has the honor , of holding office at. the period when the borough will pass tho 50th milestone of its career on Saturday, November 26. 1027. t