WOODVILLE DISTRICT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 29, 3 January 1940, Page 9

WOODVILLE DISTRICT

THE EARLY DAYS. A PIONEER’S RECOLLECTIONS. The late Airs Alary Barkwith, whose death occurred on AA’cdnesday last, had many recollections of AA'oodville as it was 54 years ago, and in February, 1925, she committed some of her memories to paper. Her notes, which have been made available for publication, make interesting reading. “\Ve arrived in AYoodville in a fourhorse lorry with all our goods and chattels, coming through the beautiful Forty-Aide Bush,” wrote Airs Barkwith. ‘The writer can still hear the locusts chirping—and what a noiso they made!—and smell the peculiar and wonderful scents of the hush. The first house we came to —the largest in AYood ville at that time —was occupied by Mr Henry Hawkins. His blacksmith shop was nearby, where Boyd’s forge now stands. There was a . small house opposite, burnt down long since. A little further on was the Club Hotel, occupied hv Mr J. J. Murphy and his wife. \Ye went on to the Methodist Church Hill ; looking down the other side, wo saw what looked like a sea of fire. Logs were burning on the roadsides as far as we could see in the duslc. The hill has since been lowered and what was then the one and only church enlarged, and it is still a landmark in the district.

“The Anglicans and Presbyterians held services in the day school on alternate Sundays. Rev. Air ltobertshaw, of Danucvirke, used to drive through in a buggy and pair, or ride, and conduct services in his riding breeches and leggings. After a time our little Anglican Church was built on the Palmerston Road opposite where the Coronation Baths are situated. The section was given by Air Tlios. Tanner. All worked very hard to get the ehuyeh built, especially Rev. Mr Rohertshaw, who arranged working bees and worked like a Trojan, even digging post-holes. AA e had no resident clergyman for some long time. .. . There was no footpath down to the church and in winter we had to plough our way through a sea of mud up to our ankles. Our feet being so heavily weighted, wo were not quite blown away by the winds from the Gorge. About this time the Ladies’ Guild began its good work, raising funds and helping generally through the years. Alter a time (in 1901) it was decided to move the church to its present site, as being more central. During its removal and rebuilding, services were held in the big room at the hack of the drill shell.”

After giving details of the many handsome additions to the church, the writer continues: “Our little church will compare favourably with any church in any country town in New Zealand, 'flic Presbyterians were not far behind in getting their cosy little church built at the top end of Ormond Street. It soon had to he enlarged, but still proved too • small. Finally, they built the handsome, commodious building in AlcLcan Street, with manse adjoining. AYe must not forget the Salvation Army, which had a very small and difficult beginning here, hut worked hard in all weathers until they became what they are to-day—an example of energy and perseverance. AA’here the Catholic Church is now situated was all in standing hush. They were not long in getting their church built. EAR LY ENTERTAINMENTS.

“At the time of Queen A’ictoria’s Jubilee a number of ladies of all denominations formed the Ladies’ Jubilee Benevolent Society to help the poor and destitute of the district. There were a great many distressed families in AA'oodville at that time. The ladies collected, organised entertainments, and realised a good sum, which the Government subsidised. Members visited and helped poor families for miles around, distributing clothing and necessaries, and paying rent in the case of widows, there being no pensions in those days. Oil the Queen’s Birthday (May 24) the ladies always had an entertainment in the drill shed which, with balls and concerts, was very popular. AVill l the money so raised and members’ subscriptions, the society always had plenty of funds to carry on its work. Ultimately, there being no more poverty, the society disbanded, the small surplus being invested in two trustees and used for any special or needy cases.

“The Post Office in those early days was an iron building of four or five rooms, and one had to scramble over broken bricks and stones to {jet into it. The writer does not remember how lone it remained in that state. The first postmaster was the late Mr Joseph Motley, who was also the first police constable. Later he was Mavor for a time. Opposite the post olliee was a store and dwelling huilt and ncctipied by Captain Thomas Moore, who was in charge of the Volunteers. The first time wo heard the ‘Dead March’ played in Woodville was at Captain Moore’s funeral. Further down the street was AV. M. Horne’s blacksmith shop. On the opposite corner was a hoarding-house with shops adjoining, lniilt by Mr Joseob Sowrv, afterwards M ayor. The boarding-house has ‘blossomed’ into the Central Hotel. A little further down was ihe Abe room Arms, with a handsome theatre adjoining, which were, unfortunately, destroyed by fire later. The Masonic Hotel and the Examiner building were built on their ashes. .Shoos and hotels sprang up quickly after this; an lintel called The Star was erected by Alexander Srindel almost opposite where the Council Chambers now stand. Tbe present Post Office Hotel was a board-ing-house at that time. Then the Commercial Hotel was built for the convenience of railway travellers. After this Woodville advanced by leaps and bounds. The beautiful Square was given to the town by Mr Thomas Fountnine, .sometimes called the ‘Father of Woodville.’ He was one of the earliest pioneers, and the Square is named after him. Kvcrythiug possible has been done in providing for sport, and pleasure. There are the Recreation Ground, bowling green, croquet lawns, tennis courts, and the Domain for picnic parties, lbc cosy little church at the top of Ormond Streeet lias been converted into an up-to-date Soldiers’ Club. the children are especially catered for with a football field, tennis court and up-to-date playgrounds set ain id lovely gardens and shadv trees.” After further reference to the amenities of the town at the time of writing, Mrs Earkwith concludes: “Our lives have indeed fallen in pleasant places. The people.of Woodville, old and young, certainly have cause to congratulate themselves on the progress made during the years.”

Jt is stated from Copenhagen that Captain Sigurd Damgaard recovered from a hat 'stand in the officers’ cabin of the British frigate Crescent, which was wrecked at Loenstrup, West Jutland, in 1808, the remains of a top hat and umbrella cemented together I>J marine deposits. Captain Damgaard is approaching the British Minister at Copenhagen with a view to presenting the trophy to Mr Chamberlain.