THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 February 1928, Page 38 (Supplement)

THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY

EMORY LANE —the road that leads to Yesterday. For the benefit of the “Star” and its readers, Mr. J. McDavitt now residing at Christchurch, has strolled along the magic road of Memory. Here are some of his recollections: —

I ■■ READING reminiscences is some'ih& like,-going through an old cemetery: We see' the tombstones and read the names but unless we are acquainted with, the departed, we are not in the least interested, as the names' (unless of historical celebrity) convey little or nothing to us. Therefore’jin writing’ my recollections of early Greymouth, and its inhabitants, I am-afraid they will be of little interest to any save perhaps some of those’, “old stagers”-who have had the good fortune’.to weather the storm of life SO’, far, and may remember many - of the person’s . whom- I shall mention..- ‘ ' . - ; My entry into Greymouth was made in the latter end of 1866, when, with my mater, brothers and- sisters, I arrived in the s.s. Airedale off the Grey River bar; to join my dad, who had arrived About eighteen months before.’ (As I write in Waitara the wreck of the Airedale shows up about a mile away, .near the entrance to the river, where she was Wrecked). We were transhipped to a tender—the paddle-steamer Persevere—and taken . across the bar up the river to the landing, about opposite the Albion Hotel. There was neither wharf nor breastwork—simply a shingle beach, on which we .were landed by means ■ of two planks. ‘The business part of the town, was chiefly on Mawhera and Richmond Quays, and the present wharf from Tainui Street down, occupies what was then part of the roadway. The big flood in 1872 made a big sweep, especially from Johnston street down, and left no building standing on that part of the town fronting Richmond Quay. In 1868, and 1863 stumps of great' trees were still in Mawhera and Richmond Quays. As the Maoris were the first inhabitants I will mention them first. They had three pahs—one about where the grandstand in Victoria park is now situated, a second in Mackay Street about forty yards edst of Tainui Street and a third under the hill near the quarry. A large number of Maoris occupied these pahs, and on St. Patrick's race days they all turned out, the women being dressed in all the colours of the rainbow. The most noted of the Maoris was old Tainui. Other members of the tribe were Mr. and Mrs. Albert, old Betty, Emma, Kaba-

- wai, Tairoa, and others whose names 1 I have forgotten. The Maori burying 1 ground was in a cave —or shaft un- - der the hill, the entrance to which was 3 reached by climbing a sapling, one end 3 of which was placed in a creek which I fan out of the- hill. The dead were - arranged on the walls around the cave, f and, as youngsters, we' made many , visits to the place. The remains were - afterwards removed to the head of f tli'e lagoon, and fhe cave was destroyed 3 when stone was being taken for the f harbour works. The Maoris made r-- periodical visits to Kaiapoi and Ai a- - hura, and so far as I can remember the/ travelled by a track along the i top of the range at the back of Greyi mouth. I never knew of tliem soiiis [ along the beach or by way of Lake j Bru liner. > The Customs office was situated at > the corner of Mawhera Quay and Cus--3 toinh'ouoe Street, opposite the present ; Royal Hotel, and the business was i. dorie in style. There was a collector, ; landing waiter, and landing surveyor, J together with a shoal of smaller i stars; also a boat with a crow of four, > which,An true naval style, met every l vessel/ which came into the river. ’ There were several bonded stores, and , frequently the consignees declined to i pay duty on their goods, which were : then taken out and destroyed. On . several occasions I saw cigars, spirits ; etc., taken out into the street, piled • up to a height of four or five feet. 1 and burnt. The value of each pile of ; goods must have been from £5O to ■ £lOO. The first Collector was Mr. Johnston, who was afterwards trans- . ferred to Nelson, and Capt. Patrick z Allardyce was the first harbourmaster. The first school was the old Catholic school in Arney Street,, and, of all the pupils who attended there, Thomas Felling and Joseph Codyre are the only two still living in Greymouth. . These two—and not more than four others myself included—are all who now remain of the fifty or sixty pup- : ils who then attended that school i which was under the tuition of H. • Woods, and M. Baupre. There was afterwards a school in the Town Hall. ] Besides these there were young ladies’ ( seminaries, conducted successively by , Miss Fairhall, Miss .Fosbury, Miss 1 Heaphy and Mrs. George. A public - ' ’ •• • ~ --...J _. t I

other, “That’s the date when it wa: last painted.” Those who remembei the dilapidated condition of the schoo will appreciate the joke. I Early - Greymouth produced at leasi one genius in the person of Georgt Simmons, who became an expert musician, being a master of the cornet violin, piano, accordedn, concertina and mastered the theory of music all without tuition. He went to Melbourne and died when quite a young man. The Justice Department consisted of •the District Resident Magistrate’s and Warden’s Courts, the two latter being presided over by William Horton ReI veil, the former by Judges Lowther I Broad, Hugh Ward, and T. Shalilier | 'Weston. Mr. Harry Ken rick was registrar and clerk of the different courts, and his brother Tom was assistant; while the duties of bailiff were carried out successively by B. Gourley, F. J. Elmer and W. B. Evans. At the head of the Police'Force was Inspector James, followed by Inspector James Hickson, having under them Sergeant Moeller (mounted trooper) with Constables Keating, Lodge, Flanagan, Cashion and “Big Mac.” When the services' of a detective were re- | quired Charlie Brown came from Hokitika. Mr. Branigan was, so far as Lean remember, Commissioner of Police, and the members of the force • emulated him in the matter of facial adornment, which led “Thatcher” (a noted comic singer) to compose the soiig entitled “And they all shaved like Branigan.” The legal fraternity consisted of a Mr. Reece of Werita Street (who sold out to Mr. AV. W. Perkins), A. R. Guinness (late Speaker of the House of Representatives) and H. Newton (afterwards of Timaru). Most of the legal work of those days ■was over mining disputes, from which the “6/8” brigade reaped a rich harvest. The medical profession was represented by C. L. Moricc, Patrick Smith, and R. Acheson. Dr. Morico was a great sport. He owned two yachtsand tw'o open boats, which he entered for sailing races at the annual regattas held on the Grey River. He was also a good rifle shot, and was no mean exponent of the art of boxing, and frequently supervised impromptu fights in the streets, always seeing that fair play was given. His yachts were always sailed by Tom Aldridge, Fred Reyling and myself, and we usually won! On these occasions the Doctor took the trophy, and donated its cash value to the worthy crew! I saw the first regatta ever held on the Grey river—in 1867. The first bank managers were E. S. Lapham, 8.N.Z., Gilbert King, Bank N.S.W., — Buchanan, Union Bank, and G. C. Bowman of —I think —Bank of Australasia. An incident connected with the Bank of New Zealand was when “Old Knopp”—a canny Israelite —bought some gold, mixed it well with a quantity of copper filings, waited until the bank was near closing on a dark winter evening, then sold it to the bank. The gold buyer did not notice anything suspicious (as “Old Knopp” was a. frequent customer) — and paid over the cash. The deception was not discovered until some days after, when “Old Knopp” was arrested, tried, and sentenced to about two years’ imprisonment. The only clergymen I remember were Fathers Royer and Golomb (R.C.), Revs. Cannoli, (Wesleyan), McIntosh (Presbyterian), and Beaumont (Anglican) who was succeeded by the Rey. G. T. N. Watkins. Until the building of the various churches all save the Catholic services were held in the old Town Hall. Father Roy.er was a. great pedestrian and regularly visited the different camps at Greenstone, Marsden, Maori Gully, Nelson Creek, No Town and other places on “Shank’s pony,” taking with him an altar boy either Tom Flana-

school was afterwards started and conducted by Miss Jennings, who after wards became Mrs. R. J. Johnston, wife of the Borough Engineer. The following is a list of the names nt many of the pupils who attended school with me in the early days: — William James, Dan Mclntosh, Robert Acheson. Robert Parkinson, Vai and Ben Waters, R. and C. Kettle, J. Arnott, M. -Loitbere, Ted, Jack, Pete and Tom Murphy, Jack and Jim Goodall,. Tom Shelly, Pat Clare, Harry Roff, — Smithers, (who became a celebrated writer,) W. Fairhall, Alec, Dan and George Munro, Father James Hickson, Tom and Ern Batchelor, Jack Moynahan, Walter Hindmarsh, Walter and Alf Brown, H. W. Kitchingham, T. E. Coates, Capt Harry Williams, Capt. Fred Cox, John, Albert and William Cameron, George Wylde, Evan and Henry Jones, Tom Burrows, Tom, Jim and Jack Coy, Jack Simpson, Tom, Dan and Mick Flanagan, Jack, Bill and Tom Clune, Joe Heaphy, Dan Twohill, Tom Pelting, Joe and Harry Codyre, Harry Dearing, Tom and Bill Jamieson, Andrew Harrison, Fred Reyling, T A. and W. Aldridge, Andrew, Jack and Joe Stenhouse, Tom Brassell, Dick Martin, Bob, George and Alec Hosie, Fred and Charlie Gleeson, George Morrison, Billy and Jack Walton, Tom and George Hanlon, Jack Courtney, Billy Howie, Dan McLeod, Billy Arnott, Eli Hellier, Pat Pallace, Billy Russell, an(l Tom Wilson, Eddy, Frilly and Charles Thomas, Joe Kilgour, Bill and Harry Dale, Billy Meates, Harry, Walter and Fred James, Billy McDowell, Cepil, Harry and Chas. Greenwood, Paddy and Jim Allardyce, Tom, Dick and Sam Letcher (Dick perished while endeavouring to save boarders in the burning of Dawson’s Hotel at Rcefton) Jack and Billy Hall, Billy Eissenhardt, George Simmons, Wm. Henry, and Fred (Manager of “Star”) Kilgour, my brother Dan, Henry and Evan Jones, Tom, Arthur and Charley -North, William and Watty Hartley, M. William and Jack Sampson, Joe, Frank and Job Stanley, George and Alf Russell (Marsden), Hanwell, Charlie, Lil and Williams, Henry, Walter and Fred James, Arthur and Henrjr Hart, William and Fred Reid, William Gasquoine. Some of these made good, some fell by the wayside, but most have gone to the Never Never. I have purposely left out the names of the girls as I do, not think they would like their present ages to be known. While writing of schools, it reminds me that the State School was completed in 1876, and in 1926 a party of Christchurch motorists were passing the school when one of the party noticed the date *‘1876” and remarked to the others, “I suppose that’s when it was completed?” “No,” replied an-

gan or Jack or Jim Coy—who also had to walk. As nd bridges or boats were available they had to ford most creeks often up to their ■waists in water, the other creeks they crossed on horseback. Father Colomb was drowned while crossing the Ahaura River on horseback. Father Roland — who was well-known during the Taranaki wars—was, in his later years, stationed at Rcefton, and, with his old green stovepipe perched on the back of his head, was a well-known figure. Those were the days of good, clean athletic sports (minus bookmakers — which were held every Christmas and Easter on the Camp reserve. I can still picture the athletes as I saw them then—Jack Whelan, Tom Garten, Danny Duffy, Denny Carroll -(wrestlers). Dan, Dave, and Pat Twohill, Joe, Bill and Dick Heaphy, Ned, Dick and George Long, Ted Webber, Jim Vaughan, Bob King, Tom and Jim Coy, Fred Reyling and “Curry-powder” T—T —t -*T- * — I'— r-T - I—- " ' -

Born in Bendigo, Victoria, arriving in Greymouth at the end of December, 1866. Studied for the legal profession and being admitted, practised for a short period at Greymouth and Reefton, then left for the North Island where he practised until his retirement in 1922.

Bowden (runners). Dick Collins, Jimmy Stewart, Bill Morrison, Jack Spotswood, Tom Diamond, aim, Jacjr and Peter Sharp, Billy Hearn, Tom Bradley, Jack Giblin, George Jackson, Harry Wylde, A. Foot, G. Allfort (rowers) and many others whom I have long since forgotten.

LS There was a very cosmopolitan !r population on the Coast in those days, ’1 consisting of colonies of different nationalities, such as Greeks, Spaniards, Portuguese, French, Germans, Italians , e with the Anglo-Saxons predominating, i- Besides the annual sports, football G and cricket was also held on the l > Camp reserve, and it was quite a '• common occurrence for a foot or ‘ cricket ball to go through the Court--5 house window on the Magistrate’s head or desk, and a ladder was alI ways kept handy to recover the ball II off the roof. What with dodging balls 5 inside and listening to the scrambling ' on the roof, His Worship had quite r an exciting time of it. An effort was r once made to prevent sports on the " camp, but nothing came of it. , Frank Sweetman, Tom Brown and • old Specky Wilson, were the boat--1 builders of those days. Frank built his • racing skiffs on the north spit, which in those days was quite a township. s Tom Brown’s shed was situated about - the site of the present railway engine i shed and- Wilson’s was at the foot of • Albert Street. While on aquatic • mat- • ters I might mention the two rival 1 tugs—Dispatch (Capt. Billy Dear of - the Grey) and the Lioness (Capt. Noi lan of Hokitika). The former was a ' typical Cockney, while the latter was ’ an Irishman. Both were fine specimens ! of the old time seadog and were continualiy testing the speed of their respective boats between Hokitika and ! Greymouth. About 1870 a schooner—the Pearl, I think —was crossing the bar under full sail. There was a heavy ■ sea on and she had got barely half way across when a big rollej* filled her mainsail, -and she turned turtle. In about fifteen minutes Billy Dear and a few other skippers had out a lifeboat and were off to the scene of the disaster. The Captain the sole survivor, was rescued clinging to the ladder. Those who are acquainted with the condition of the bar when there is a big sea on will appreciate the bravery of the act of rescue, which is ■ typical of British seamen. I v do not know what became of Capt. Nolan, but Capt. Dear left the Dispatch and was for many years in'Christchurch, where he died a few years back. The Dispatch was taken over by Captain Kitchingham, who commanded her for many years. * It was quite an event when the Wallabi (old Captain Leys) or the St. Kilda arrived from Wanganui with cattle, sheep and pigs. They were dumped over the side of the steamer which lay about 20 dr 30 yards off shore, nearly opposite Johnston Street. The cattle were very wild and in spite of the number of boats to head them ashore, many got away to the Cobden or Grey side and when the latter, the town was cleared if a bullock happened along; no one was ever hurt, but on one occasion a horseman was too slow, had his horse jammed against a wall and its side ripped open; the man escaped but the horse had to be destroyed. I must, give the palm to the late Joseph Kilgour and Gerald Perotti as the most enterprising men of the early days. Each and their firm “Kil- ( gour and Perotti” was as well known as the names Greymouth and Hokitika, and although partners in so j many enterprises, each owned his own . hotel. Who of those old timers still ( alive, has forgotten Mr. Kilgour (“old ( Joe” as he was familiarly known) ( with his white stovepipe cocked jauntily over his right ear or the familiar ' figure of Mr. Perotti with his rapid walk? They started the tram from Grey to Paroa, often called “the New River” but commonly known as “The ( Saltwater”. The tram, driven by “Old ’ Mac” (a Frenchman) first ran down J Richmond Quay, afterwards down 1 Mawhcra and Richmond Quays, thence along Arney Street, over the bridge 1 along Sefton Road and out past the 1 old slaughter yards to Bob Keown’s

“Australasian Hotel”, which was then on the crown of the beach and the fiist stopping place; thence with various stoppages on to Paroa. About 1871 they cut a tram line from Tidal (then Hospital) Creek to Keowns; the tram office being shifted to the back of Kilgour’s Hotel. It had previously been first on Richmond and then on Mawhera Quay, and as there was no public road along the new route, the new line was a great convenience to pedestrians. K. <t P. several times threatened to prevent the public using it but did nothing further in the matter. And what crowds came.and went in those trams on high days and holidays, almost every one from the Teremakau to the Grey (including those from Maori Creek, Marsden, Rutherglen and other places). Wliem Kumara broke out the tram was extended to the Teremakau and there connected with the tram to the former place, the passengers being taken over the river by means of a cage on an endless rope. K. &P. also erected a large sawmill just over Sawyer’s Creek and this they carried on for some years. They also purchased a block of land near the rifle range, Marsden Road, on which Old Joe left to run wild a number of fowls- and turkeys, which soon greatly increased. Many of the lads used to go out that way after pigeons and kakas and if unsuccessful made their way home per the clearing, wlierc they bagged a gobbler or couple o!* cacklers. If Joe happened along and met the sportsman he generally asked “What luck?” but never let on that lie was well aware of what was in the bag. There were,of course, many other enterprising merchants and traders and among those and other residents whom I remember saw Greymouth'out of her swaddling clothes were: —Ed. Masters (first Mayor) and R. Forsyth (afterwards Forsyth & Masters, ironmongers), James Johnston (hotel), W. S. Mc.D. Thompson, G. S. Smith and James Barkley (first “Thompson, Smith and Barkley” afterwards “Smith and Barkley, drapers. Mr. Thompson subsequently became Customs Valuer at Wellington). Frank Badger, painter. J. A. Whall, hotelkeeper, brewer and first Town Clerk, James Payne County Clerk, James Wylde, surveyor; James Middleton (hotel), and his manager Gilbert Stewart, P. M. Griffen; C. Smith, merchants (afterwards Griffen and Smith), G. W. Moss, auctioneer etc.; R. Nancarrow, auctioneel' etc.. D. Girdwood, auctioneer etc., W. Lahman (afterwards Girdwood and Lahman). Capt. Kitchingham, Martin Kennedy, merchant, J. E. Warner, solicitor, F. Kent, manager for Manson and Co., drapers; D, Sheedy (Brian Born), David and Robert Magoffin, grocers, G. F. Maxwell'(hotel), R. J.

a Tonks, Albion Hotel (formerly Tbnks b and Hughes); Joseph Taylor, mer- - chant and hotel; Thomas Joyce, mer- ! > chant, afterwards brewer; C. Holder, 3 builder and sawmiller; *C. Seabrook '• (afterwards Holder and Seabrook); J. 1 G. Thomas and D. Mcßeth (Thomas e and Mcßeth, drapers); F. C. Dupre 1 and C. Wrench, jewellers etc., J. W. ’ Parkinson, chemist, afterwards book- - seller; Ben Gough, hotel and dance- > house; Pat Crawford, hotel and dance- ■ house; AV. Kilgour, draper; Alec Hosie 1 sailmaker; Ed. Anclier, sailmaker; C. 3 Hansen,- sailmaker; Jas. Kerr, John r > Arnott, John Keogh (Grey Argus), 3 Chas. Brockley, tinsmith; Geo. Sim- ’ nions, tinsmith;. T. Foxcroft, tin- - smith (founder of the present preserved whitebait industry). Hugh 1 Adams, tinsmith, AV. Robinson, tih- • smith; Dave West, tinsmith; Duncan 5 McLean, merchant, Wallace Woolf,. L butcher;-Hildebrand and Webber, but- • chers, E. Edwards, butcher; W. Nor- ■ ris, butcher, R. Clough, butcher, Mor- ; ris Levy, ironmonger, John McGregor, ; blacksmith, Ed. Ashton, hotel; A. R. Guinness, solicitor; W. Howie, hotel; Peter Cameron, hotel; P. Purcell and — Skoglund, drapers; Thos. Felling painter; F. B. Waters, hotel; R.. Alcorn, merchant; F. J. Gleeson, builder and timber merchant; E. Wickes and , T. W. Watson (Watson & Wickes) timber merchants; W. F. Strike and sons, cordial manufacturers; D. McKinty, hotel; J. J. Blackmore, cordial manufacturer; George and William Glenn (Glenn Bros, merchants); Felix Campbell, merchant; Andrew Matheson, contractor; T. Lloyd, coal merchant, J. Fitzgerald, hotel; W. Ray (foundry); John Sewell (foundry); W. Cunliffe (foundry), Henry Jones carpenter; S. and H. Gilmer, hotel; Ralph DeCosta, merchant; Frank Hamilton, James Hamilton, merchants; Joseph Paul (later of Wa- ( nganui); John Seaton, cattle dealer; ( John McMillan, accountant; Sam ( Roulston, accountant; Mr. Gosson, < music teacher; John Walton, brick- ( layer (afterwards superintendent of ( breakwater); Wm. Arnott, builder; ( John Mueller, tobacconist; W. J. < Coates, merchant; W. H. f (M.P. and Editor of Argus), Alec. ( Reid (who founded the “Star,” which , jvas afterwards taken over by Mont (. Brown and Sons); Chas. Woolcock, merchant and M.P.; — Broadbent (who supervised the construction of the first gasworks and was manager ( for some years), W. Fairhall, milk- <i man; Noy and Sons, blacksmiths; AV. ( Jones, baker (who built and owned the present Rovington’s Hotel); James ( Brimble, carrier and hotelkeeper; H. Williams, baker (and father of Capt. Harry Williams); John Bulstrode, hotel 1 ; Henry Hunt, hotel; Jacob Basch tobacconist; Chas. Warling, tobacconist; Chas. Marks, merchant; H. Wil- ( son, boatbuilder; L. Anseline, hotel; Hanwell Williams, chemist; Chas. Broadbent, AV. King (Broadbent and King, watchmakers); — Cannon, (founder and conductor of first brass band, of which George Taylor is the only surviving member); Alex. Tate, $ photographer; Jas. Mortem, hotel; M. O’Brien, bootmaker; James O’Brien, bootmaker; C. Stilling, draper; F. Austin, butcher; James Jones, hotelkeeper and carrier; Tom Moore, barher; F. Matson, barber; Martin and Con. Kennedy, carriers; Simeon Fraser of the Dispatch and afterwards storekeeper; John Hogg, ironmonger; A. Foot, law clerk; Martin Minogue of Kennedy Bros., M. Codyre, builder; G. Hanlon, boatman; — Hardy (of Geo. Hall; Mat and William Ryan, $ bakers; A. Stenhouse, builder; — Shields (gum to trees); J. A. Eissenhardt, architect; C. Wrench, cabinetmaker; Mary Burchell, hotel; Carrie Pope, hotel, Mrs. Mills hotel; Dave Leatham, baker; Sam Pool, saddler; Jas. Pool, baker. « There were about 72 pubs going at ®

a high pressure also two licensed dance e houses and besides the latter most of - the other pubs ran dancing as a side 1 line There were also pubs at Cobden a and the North Spit. The dance-houses a and front doors of the pubs being f closed on Sundays, most of the patfl rons wended their way to one or other fl of the gardens, one of which was Old fl Coe’s on the Omoto Road, tlie other e at Coal Creek being run by a chap fl named Nelson. The big flood of 1869 s took away about half the latter and 5 ruined both it and the owner while - the Brunner railway and main road t wiped out tile former. Hospital Lagoon - with her sister opposite, also Blake- - town, were three very fine sheets of e water and Hospital or Tidal Creek - was a very fine water way. Small vesi seis could at high 'water (especially fl spring tides) have gone up as far at 1 the present railway sheds. Most of the e 20-ton coal boats and large cargo r boats used on the river were built s near the foot of Albert Street and s taken down the creek, .thence out to 1 the river, and the use of ferry boats '• and canoes on the creek was quite 1 common. Both Hospital Creek and . lagoon swarmed with water fowl and r fish and often appeared, cranes and fl herons, which although at that time 2 of little or no use to any one, were r wanto’nly destroyed. It will hardly be 1 believed that at that time fish (p.arti- > cularly whitebait) could be caught in 3 Boundary Street, but such is the fact, 1 as the tide came upj that:street as far 1 as Mawhera Quay and often joined t the river. To enable traffic a high 3 foot • bridge was put across from| Mawhera: Quay but it was a long time r before a culvert was placed rrom 5 Gresson .to Boundary Street. There 5 were, of course, numerous places of t entertainment, the chief theatre being at Kilgour’s Union Hotel; anotheii theatre was at Gilmer Bros.' Hotel'.; - Smith and Barclay’s); Capt. Allar- . dyce„ Harry Wylde, G. Alport, cusl toms; — Fielder, customs; Stewart, McDowell, customs; Frank .. and Jbe i Leathwood of Tivoli; T. North, crocki cry shop; Joseph Croft, skittle-alley; - George McWilliams, coach, driver; -— - Wilkinson, coach proprietor; — An- - drews, customs; Alec Constantine > (Alec the Greek) hotelkeeper; H. Wil- ; liams, butcher; Albert Rutledge and . Fred White (foundry); Alfred BiSch/ ; watchmaker; — Levinskie, photo- ; grapher; J. Greenwood, dentist; Jock - McLean (“Coal Tar Jack”); J. and - E. Butler, contractors, J. B. Roache, . stationer, Wm. Dale, newsman; Tom [ Wellspring, boatman; Tom Olsen, i boatman; D. Buckley, boatman; E. B. • Fox, accountant (who escaped from . 'the Burgess-Sullivan gang); W. Briscoe, blacksmith; TI. Davis, builder; , Jack Heron, builder; Robert Shaw, . baker; Pat. Crogan, stables; Dennis Carroll, hotel; Dan Buggy, hotel; J. J. Blackmore, cordial manufacturer; Duncan McLean, merchant; George Marton, hotel; Eli Hellier, hotel; Geo. Taylor, builder; Tom Clarke, Masonic Hotel; HOnry Lee, builder; Donald McLean, auctioneer etc.; Peter Hunter, tobacconist; Dennis Buggy, hotel; Dan Lynch, hotel;' D. McKinty, hotel; F. Reyling, tailor; R. Reay, tailor; Wm. Meates, Wm. King, hotel; Pat Hanney, hotel ;Cook and Sampson, undertakers; Geo McKay, butchers;

Chas. Bradley, milkman; Charley i Buckley, milkman; Joe Quinn, undertaker; Wm. Chesterman; — Dowling, hide merchant; James Stalker, flagstaff; Dick Collins, flagstaff;. Wm. Gourd; — Gopdyer; Joseph Shiels; then there was Old Jack Harris's “Free and Easy” at the Caledonian (afterwards Star Hotel) coimer of Albert Street and Mawhera Quay.'Other “Free and Easys” were Tom Bailey’s at corner of Gresson and Boundary Streets. Old Peg Leg Munroe’s near Johnston Street. T. Felling’s “JJnited States” corner Johnston and Gresson Streets. Besides these different places there were the two dance rooms I hayje mentioned, Ben Gough’s “Victoria” and Pat Crawford’s “Alliance.” The first up-to-date theatre was the Old Volunteer Hall, corner Werita and Mackay Streets. About 1869 or 70 Gough’s was taken over by a Frenchman and his wife, who Covered the walls of the dance-room with a number of very fine oil paintings/ all representing French cavalry and infantry (in wonderful uniforms) engaged in some battle; the French being always top dog, of course.'When the Franco-German war started, the old chap and his wife cleared off to beloved France to see their wonderful soldiers eat the man sausage, but we know how sadly they were disappointed. A visitor to , Paris a few years after, saw the old lady selling vegetables; the old -manhud gone West. In IS6S the first menagerie appeared in the Grey and a very fine ode it was; one of its chief events was the birth of Greymouth’s liorr cub and I do not suppose such a thing will ever occur there again. About that time a very fine waxworks appeared, shewing a scene in the Taranaki war.' The scene represented Maoris and Britishers (all in proper costume) fighting in the bush, many of. the Maoris being concealed in the trees. Tile most dramatic part of the. scene, whs the shooting of Major Von- Temskey by one of these ’ concealed natives. I have often wondered what became of that show and thought that it was well worthy ofa place in one or other of .our museums. On one or two occasions the old Punch and Judy show appeared- and about 1869 or 70, I think saw the last of the old-time musicians with drum and cymbals and playing pipes which were strung across his chest. Some time ago I read in the “Star” an extract from a book published by Sir Joynton Smith of “Smith’s Weekly,” Sydney; that in the early days' of the Coast; miners used to come out to steamers in-the roadstead by rowing boats and purchase liquor, payjng in raw gold. I think old Coasters will agree with me that Sir Joynton Smith must be a bit of a Baron Munchausen, '’nr some one had been pulling his leg. I have spun this article out a good deal longer than I intended and I am 'afraid time and printers’ ink will not permit of my mentioning many incidents, town characters etc.,. which I would like to. Although it may be of little interest to the present generation I trust that to those old timers who like myself are still cheating the undertaker, it may assist to remind them of persons and incidents long forgotten, and of the good old days when -the ; world was young and life rosy. ,