MY MEMORIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 February 1928, Page 35 (Supplement)

MY MEMORIES

Written for the/‘Star,” by

Mrs. W. E. Thomas,

Greymouth

t»EING born, in Greymouth and havO ing lived most of my life here it is interesting to look back and note the many changes. With my two sisters, I was educated at the Greymouth State School, where my eldest sister Lizzie in the year 1880 won a scholarship and was two years later Dux of the Girls’ High School, Christchurch. My younger sister Ida, also won a scholarship and matriculated in 1893, while I followed the profession of teacher 'in the Grey School under the head masterships of the late Messrs Thornton, Stewart and A, A. Adams. It is very gratifying to see the progress many of my old pupils have made—some holding very responsible positions—how playing their parts in the great battle of life. . ‘ The progress of the town (though not rapid) has gone on steadily. Much of its advancement may be attributed to the efforts and energy of wellknown citizens. Among these were Ed. Masters, J. Kilgour, G. Perotti, E. Wickes, D. McLean, W. Coates, M. Kennedy, Harrison, Strike, Parkinson, N. C. Smith, P. Griffen, D. Sheedy, F. Campbell, Geo. Glen, G. W. Moss, W. and G. Smith, T. Joyce, J. G. Thomas, J. Barkley, J. WiTson, C. A. C. Hardy, Blackmore, Sewell, Walton, F. C. Dupre, F. Hamilton; Hindmarsh, Arnott, William Rae, G, Rolleston, D. McMillan, J. Greenwood, Dr. C. L. Moricfe, Rugg (Superintendent Hospital), Thos. Spoor, Fairy Matson, Hanwell Williams, Ed. Heaphy, F. Badger Senr., R. Nancarrow, W. H. Perkins, W. Perkins, Solicitor; Warner, Wm. Holder, Hertslet, R. Hosie (senrj, T. Cameron - (senior), Thos. Brown (senior), J..McGain, Gilroy, G. T. Moss, H. Felling, I. Orr, A. Russell, F. H. Kilgour, T. E. Coates, Ed., Stratford, John McGregor, James McGregor, W. Kilgour, Seabrook, F. Gleeson, A. Yarrall/ J. Kerr, J. Arnott, E. I. Lord, H. W. Hungerford, R. Kettle, A. R. Guinness, H. W. Kitchingham, J. Taylor, J. Petrie, A. Matheson, H. Bignell, W. H. Perkins, M. Hannan, C. Parfitt, Ring, Peters, J. C. Gittos, Cameron Smith, A. McKay, M. Steel, John McDavitt , (senr.), F. W, Lahman, D. Girdwood, R Clough, and W. Parfitt. The first tramway line in Greyemouth which ran to Paroa (then Salt--water) was constructed by the late G. Perotti and my father, who were partners at that time. £They afterwards became large shareholders in the Grey Kumara Tramway Co. The journey to Hokitika in those days was by tram to Teremakau where one crossed the river in the old cage by tram again to Kumara, thence on by coach via Waimea and Stafford to Hokitika. This trip took nearly the day. As an alternative there was the sea trip by s.s. Waipara provided of J course that the two bars were workable. Associated with the Tramway Company were the names of G. Chev- . erton, H. S. Castle, Galbraith, Wil- ( loughby, Hutchison, Jones, Parsons, Courteney and Heaton. The journey to Reefton was also by'coach and wag- i gon.and was often attended with great difficulties. The overland trip to ’ Christchurch is now greatly facilitat- ! ed when one remembers that it took at least two days in the olden days coach- ; ing to Springfield via Bealey, Wai-

makairi cutting, Cass and Porter’s Pass. It was no uncommon thing to be detained by flood at Bealey, Otira and Taipo for several days. The Hospital has made very great strides. The first building occupied the present site of the Post and Telegraph Offices. For many years the late Dr. C. L. Morice (familiarly known as the Old Doc) acted as surgeon of that institution being succeeded by his son Dr.. C. G. F. Morice, now of-Welling-ton; Foremost in the early Volunteer Movement were the names of F. K. Hamilton, Geo. Smith, C. L. Morice, W. H. Reyell. Then later we have the names of F. Badger (who won the long service medal). Associated with him were G. E. Perkins, F. and R. Sotheran, C. Richardson, C. North and F. McGregor. My earliest recollection of the musical talent was associated with the names of Messrs Greenwood, Hunter, Ronayne, Rev. Kempthorne, G. J. Wood, R. Parkinson, Bish, Beresford, Traversi, R. Clements, Mesdames G. W. Moss, Ronayne, C. Holder, Marks, Misses Muller, Parkinson, Badger, McDavitt and Marks, Brown and

Batchelor pianists,. Mesdames Warner, Misses Fricker, Harrison, Kilgour and, then later Misses Petrie, F. Seabrooke and Hamilton. Among the minstrel entertainers were Messrs G. T. Moss, Gregory, W’ickes, Clarkson, Guthrie, Woods, Easson and O’Keefe. Dramatic entertainments were well staged mostly under the guidance of the late F. Elmer. Associated with him were Messrs E. I. Lord, Hertslett, J. I. Skoglund, Mesdames Warner, Yarrall, Misses Apted, Brown and Trim and then later on the old “Vesta Club,” prominent among these being Messrs E. A. Wickes, F. Rundle, W. Thomas, L. Williams and H. Doogan, the Misses E and I. Kilgour, D. Wickes and A. Thomas About 1893 the operas Mikado and Patience were very creditably staged under the baton of Mrs. Millington and.in 1897, lolanthe, un-

• der the direction of Misses Petrie and Perkins. The Racecourse, situated between the Grey River and Omoto Creek is one, if not the most, picturesque in s New Zealand. Victoria Park is another e instance of progress. The promoters of a, this enterprise being Messrs H. W. Kitchingham, W. H. Perkins, I. A. t Murphy and H. Fricker. e The Children’s Park, one of the 1 beauty spots of the town, was due ’■ mainly to the efforts of the late Bene jamin Dixon and the band rotunda to - the generosity and efforts of W. Ar--1 nott. The Dispatch Foundry and - Borough Gas Works are also proofs of the town’s progress. Greymouth r has been fortunate in such an '. excellent photographer as Mr. J. Ring, i, who has been a resident for the last 349 years. The Band is also a very ; great asset to the town and one we i should all be proud of. Looking at an - old photograph we see that the Ist band was formed in Greymouth in 1870 and among its members were the - well-known names of J. Greenwood, j F. Badger, Senr., Cannon, Paul Minogue, O’Brien, G. Taylor, Lecher, Tait, Blakley, T. East and P. Weenink. Then followed Saunders’ Fife and , Drum Band. That fine organisation, the Grey Fire ’ Brigade was established in the year [ 1867. When one compares the old Manual Engine with the present automatic, the progress speaks for itself. The brigade has earned great distinction in competition, work and many of its members have received the Gold Star for continuous service. In my early youth I can remember when the Tidal Creek (now reclaimed and present railway line) flowed from the lagoon up to the present railway station and on one occasion when I was very young I remember accompanying my father and old Bill Chesterman who were fishing in our little boat (The Lizzie and Eva) just opposite to the present Victoria Park in the old Tidal Creek. Without any preliminary, a cow standing on the one bank deliberately jumped into our little boat. Before we got over our very great surprise she quickly jumped out on to the other bank. The following is another story that may interest’ your readers. The story appeared in the Sydney Bulletin, May 1897. It was in ’6B, just about the time of the “Fenian Riots” on the Coast, that Pat Buckley, Wellington solicitor, first sought to enter Parliament for our constituency. Mr. B’s special qualifications for the position of M.H.R. was. his utter antipathy to anything English —a sentiment made conspicuously noticeable by his bold conduct at a banquet some time prior to this at Wellington. When Queen Victoria’s health was proposed he scoffingly struck up the “Wearing of the Green” Mr. B. expected 'to scoop the whole of the Irish vote, then pretty strong on the Coast. He notified that he would arrive in Greymouth by a certain steamer and meet the electors. For some reason or other he did not arrive by that steamer, but instead of him came old Joe Kilgour, Donald McLean and one or two othercelebrities. Old Joe had come across a donkey—a rare animal to find in those days. He bought it and brought it along with him. Knowing the ovation that awaited the budding member,

the party conceived a happy idea. They took the donkey and encased his front legs and forepart in a magnificent frock coat, his rear ones in grey combinations, into which they dexterously tucked his tail, fixed up his throat with a huge paper collar and tie, ruined a brilliant belltopper by making holes in it to give his ears a fair chance to flap, and finished him off with a placard: “This is Buckley, your future M.H.R.” Meanwhile the Fiery Cross had been sent round and the faithful summoned from gully and bar to do honour to the man who had so nobly refused to drink the health of a blood thirsty tyrant. Some of them had already misjudged their capacity and were in a state further advanced that the occasion warranted, and had to be held in position while the steamer made fast. The gangway was then put out and ashore walked the donkey, prodded behind by Old Joe, in his well-known white hat. That is all the story. The agonised howl which went up from the wild Irishmen on the wharf can’t be put into print. For one moment they felt inclined to make a murderous assault on the affable animal; then they went away, and left the base and brutal Saxon and his ass in possession of the field.