FATHER OF THE ROAD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19692, 20 January 1926, Page 8

FATHER OF THE ROAD.

MR JAMES CAFFIN. OLD-TIME DUNEDIN' BOOKSELLER. A BUSY LIFE. Mr James Caffin, who was well know ll in Dunedin in the ’seventies and eighties as a partner in the bookselling firm ox Wessrs Wise, Caffin, and Co., and who is now living in retirement in Wanganui, is at present on a visit to his youngest son Air Ray Caffin). In his eightj-fifth year Mr Caffin retains full possession ot his cental faculties, and although his physical condition is not, naturally enough, as good as it used to be, he still sets himself the task of a daily walk, whenever possible, of about 10 miles. . _. In an interview with a Daily limes reporter yesterday Mr Caffin sketched the history of his life —a history which amply proved that when he was in active harness in New Zealand and Australia his title of the “Father of the Road was not a misnomer. His first trip to New Zealand as a commercial traveller took place 58 years ago. Mr Caffin was born at Merstham, Surrey, in 1841, and was educated at Brighton, Sussex. One of his earliest recollections was of a visit to the great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851. Mr Caffin modestly remarked that possibly he is the only man in New Zealand today who visited the first Exhibition in the world’s history—the Palace of Steel and Glass in Hyde Park. Mr Caffin left London with hw parents in 1854 on the ship Robert Passenger, bound for Melbourne. The voyage occupied four months, and on arrival in Hobson’s Bay the sailors deserted, the lure of the diggings proving too great to be resisted. Shortly after the arrival of the Caffin family the Eureka stockade riots took place. The diggers armed against the Government and a fight took place at the stockade with the military, many diggers being killed and the leader of the miners, Mr Peter Lalor, losing an arm. Years afterwards Mr Lalor—then Sir Poter—became Speaker in. the Victorian Parliament. The result of the Eureka riot was the introduction of the “Miner’s Eight.” It was thought out by John O'Shannassey, M-P-, Victoria, afterwards Sir John, Premier of Victoria. B'or a payment of 20s per annum a miner had the right to a registered area for mining and another area for residence.

Up to 1857 Mr Oaffin worked with his father in Melbourne as a draper. The work did not appeal to the English lad, —he wanted to be a booikseller, and at last he got his desire, securing employment with Mr George Slater in Bourko street, Melbourne. Long hours and no holidays, reminiscently remarked Mr Caffin. After a time ho got a position with Mr Samuel Mullen in Collins street, with better hours and Saturday afternoons off. Mr Mullen v.as a highly cultured man, and he taught his youthful employee what a real bookseller should know. Mr Caffin added that ho blessoi his memory for his unfailing courtesy to him. Later on Mr Mullen came to Mr Caffin —just after his marriage—and told him he bad arranged for him to take a position on the st?ff of Messrs Sands and M Dougall. the largest manufacturing stationers in Australia, at a higher salary. Tims was brought about a life association with the firm —excluding the interval dui ing the time Mr Caffin was in business in Dunedin

In 1864 Mr Caffin had charge of Messrs Sands and M’Dougall’s contract department, and in 180 f tho firm obtained contracts with the New Zealand Government for the supply of paper to the Government. Printer and of stationery to tho Government offices in all parts of Now Zealand. The firm also had a contract with tho Bank of New Zealand.

In 1867 Mr Caffin was sent to Wellington to operate these contracts, and h© had the assistance of a small stall. When opportunity offered he visited printers and newspaper offices throughout New Zealand. This went on until the New Zealand Government arranged to got its supplies through the Agent-general. Mr Caffin, however, continued to travel Now Zealand for Messrs Saucls and M‘Dougall until 1375, when he joined Mr Henry Wise, of Dunedin, in partnership—their shop being where the Government Life Insurance building now stands. Mr Caffin controlled the book-sell-ing business and Mr Wise devoted his energies entirely to th* issuing of a New Zealand directory. The directory venture was not very successful for the first year or two, but it has grown and extended afield since these days. Mr Caffin continued in this partnership for 18 years, but his health became impaired, owing to sticking too closely to the shop, and he took to the road again. In 1892 he arranged with his old firm, Messrs Sands and M’Dougall, to represent their London office in New Zealand, on commission, with the right to take any other commissions he desired. Books were, of course, included, and he was thankful to say that tits last years of business were the most profitable in bio life, and the constant change kept him in good health. In 1920 he retired, considering ho had' done his bit. Mr Caffin remarked that he had been regarded as the principal export in the book-selling, stationery, and printing trades in New Zealand, and that he had valued many stocks in the chief towns of the Dominion. In 1867 and onwards all the newspapers did jobbing work, and the proprietors of most of them were his clients. Two of the best-remembered were Mr John Ballance and Mr Wm. Hutchison, of Waganui. Referring more particularly to his work in Dunedin, Mr Caffin said one of the most profitable ventures of she firm of Wise and Caffin was the publishing in 15 sets of reproductions of paintings of New' Zealand scenes by Mr John Gully. The seta were sold a( five guineas each, and about 1000 were placed in Britain, America, and the Continent. The letterpress was written by Sir Julius Von Haast, founder of the Museum in Christchurch. The late Mr Donald Petrie, whom Mi Caffin described as the greatest authority on New Zealand grasses in the world, was a great personal friend of Mr Caffin, who persuaded him to compile a geography of New Zealand, this being published by Mr Caffin, and proving a great success. The firm also published a book on .arithmetic by another Otago schoolmaster, Mr Peter Goyen. Mr Caffin has crossed the Tasman Sea so often that he has lost count of the number of times. He says he loves the sea, but his pleasure when crossing backwards and forwards was no doubt agreeably added to by the fact that he was never seasick, even in the stormiest weather. He had manyvaried experiences during his period on the road, including a walk under difficulties from the Otira Gorge to Christchurch. His nearest approach to a fatal accident was when a steamer he was travelling by from Geelong to Melbourne collided with another vessel. When he first arrived in Wellington—in 1867—he joined the Wellington Rifles, and also received a commission in the militia, formed as a result of the outbreak by the Maoris. He was presented to the Duke of Edinburgh when he came to Wellington on the occasion of his world tour. At tbe time Mr Caffin arrived in Wellington he was insured in an Australian company, which must have thought it was running a grave risk, for it stuck to his premium and cancelled his policy for “having accepted military service in a foreign country.” Mr Caffin insured the second day after the New Zealand Government commenced its office. His policy is No. 120, so it can be seen he was an early client.