EARLY WAGONING DAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26770, 13 May 1948, Page 2

EARLY WAGONING DAYS

Sir, —I have not seen the name of George Pearce appearing among the lists of wagoners who have done their share towards making Central Otago and other backblock places what they were in the early days. It must be 24 years since Mr Pearce retired from his wagoning tours between Mount Barker and Cromwell, then to the Bannockburn coal mine to load up coal. He usually stayed a night at Queensberry on his way back, and young people and old alike watched the road patiently for him with the wagon, as il usually meant a dance in the school, Mr Pearce delighting the crowd from far and near with music from his accordion for hours, with never a complaint of weariness after his long days driving his team of horses. It would take an abler pen than mine to give you any particulars about the number of years he was on the roads. 1 only know he is enjoying his retirement with his wife in their beautiful home at Mount Barker, near Wanaka, and this month he is celebrating liis seventyeighth birthday.—l am, etc., T. T. Cooper. Cromwell R.D.

Sir,—lt was generally conceded by those who knew the wagoners intimately and the wagoners themselves that Frank Mead was an outstanding driver amongst a lot of good teamsters. Frank could handle a wagon-team in situations and under conditions that few would or could tackle. He once handled a 10-ton load with 10 horses between Waikaka and Lawrence, a remarkable feat when due allowance is made for the contours and condition of the roads traversed. Other two competent and conscientious wagoners so far not mentioned, are Jack Cameron Wetherstones, and Bob Johnston, of Waitahuna. Both had extensive experience in Central Otago, the former when but a sapling. “ Sandy ” McStay, also of Wetherstones, took a great pride in his team; he drove with care and judgment. Exposed to all weathers when perched on their high seats, wagoners had a most trying time on almost impassable roads during the hard winters experienced in those days—the conditions they worked under had to be seen to be believed. Your correspondents, Sir, have revived widespread interest amongst a generation—alas a vanishing generation—that knew these wagoners personally and their achievements. That interest must wane as their ranks become further depleted. I suggest that something be done now, before it is too late, to commemorate the bullockwagon driver and the horse-wagon driver. Perhaps the committee of the Early Settlers’ Association could be, prevailed upon to receive, at an opportune time, donations and suggestions as to the form of memorial. If so, my donation of a guinea will gladly be forwarded. There are first-class Dunedin artists capable of producing a suitable oil painting or mural of a " bullocky ” and his bullock team and a wagoner and his horse team. In addition, a short life-history of each wagoner could be recorded. Perhaps something on these lines would interest the descendants of the wagoners and those who knew them personally.—l am, etc., Sheepman.

Sir,—Like " Old Identity,” I have been waiting for further information about the wagoners on the roads 60, 70 and 80 years ago. There are still among us people who can name some of them, and among them are Mr F. W. Knight, of Dunedin, and Mr Tom Corry, of Waitahuna, if they can be persuaded to search their memories. From my own knowledge of the bullock drivers from Tapanui to the Dunstan, the earliest memory is of John Perry. Later there were the two brothers, Sydney and Edward Ottery, and their employee, Peter Lloyd. In the same period were Samuel McLelland and his two sons, Samuel and Robert.

The Otago Witness of 18/3/1876 quoting the Oamaru Times states that the wellknown driver Dick Weaver in one of Dalgleish and Smith’s teams, brought into Oamaru 73 bales of wdol, believed to be the largest load ever brought into that town.

My father, Edward Kempthorne, was one of the wagoners of the 1860’s. In 1864 and subsequent years he drove the escort supply wagon from Outram to the Dunstan with hay, oats, chaff and other sundries. Owing to the unformed nature of the roads he got capsized nearly every trip. Later, when supplies were more readily available locally in the Central, the Police Department sold the team to my father, and he continued on the same road on his own account until 1876. The team consisted of four white horses and was recognisable five miles away under favourable conditions. In my youth I must have heard him mention the names of his many associates, but alas the only names on record are Pat Lynch, Capstick and Eb Kingsford. The last named for many years was proprietor of the Parkside - Hotel—he was, I am led to believe, the grandfather of Sir C. Kingsford Smith, on the maternal side.—l am, etc , W. O. Kempthorne.

Sir, —We, the undersigned, wish to add the names of the following wagoners whose names have so far not been mentioned: , _ 1870 to 1890.—Dunedm and Lawrence, via Roxburgh to Wanaka: Billy McDermott (who drove eight roans from Dunedin) Peter Mclntosh, Bob Ferguson, Bob Hood! R. and J. Gawn, George Bennett, Jimmy Russell, G. A. Smith, Chas. Clark, Jack Wallace, Jimmy Olliver, John Cowper, Jimmy Allen, Bob Capstick, senr. 1890 to 1910.— George and Alex. Burton, Bob Louden, Bob Riddle. Milne Bros. The 1890’s. —Feed contractors who carted feed from Dunrobin and Moa Flat districts for Craig and Co.’s coaching horses and general carriers, merchants, etc.: John McKinnon, Caffell Bros., J. and P. Wilkins, Thomas Barclay, W. and J. Cooper. 1899-1914.—C0al wagoners dur.ing dredging boom 1899 to 1914, Coal Creek coalpit, 14-Mile Beach to Island Block: Craig Bros., McPherson Bros., G. Taylor, H, W. Williams, McLelland Bros., Jim Todd, Joe Ellis, Harris Bros., Phil Reel, Whelan Bros., E. O’Conner, William Spillane, H. Westcott, A. and W. Weddell, D. Walker. F. J Tamblyn, Jack Tracey. G. Martin, H. McKay, Jack Robertson, W. Cockburn, E. Bryant, E. Tubman, Jack Plew. Bullock Drivers.—Perry, F. Lamont, G. Mountney, George McFarlane, R. McLelland and Sons, Ottrey Bros., Fred Bie, Peter Lloyd, E. Gowdy, Alf. and Tom Stiven, W. Harvey, F. Walls, Willie Smith (all the above carted timber from Tapanui district to the goldfields of Central Otago with the exception of Smith, who carted in the Tuapeka district). , Peter Johnstone, whose name has been mentioned previously, used to cart the wool from the Hawkburn Station opposite Clyde and used to take about two tons up the Zig-zag and when coming down generally had a big sledge with several bales of wool dragging behind the wagon. This acted as an extra brake, the wagon carrying the balance of the load. Dad Maskell, also mentioned previously, is reported to have taken a contract in the early times to transport about 40 Chinese and their swags from Palmerston to Dunstan. and, having a big load of goods also, got stuck on the Pigroot, but got out by attaching the Chinese to the wagon with a long rope. Roads.—About 1903, with so much dredging machinery and goods being carted on the roads, which became badly cut up, it became impossible for teams to accomplish more than 12 miles per day. Loads.—Goods averaged from three to six tons, acording to the number of horses. The last horse team to cart goods was H. Craig’s, which ceased operations in 1920. , , Coal.—The loads would average about six tons. Seven-ton loads were common, and the record load of 10 tons was driven by the late Joe Ellis, who drove for A. J. McPherson. To the best of our knowledge, the information, which is practically all from personal contact with nearly a'll the men mentioned, is correct.—We are, etc., W. S. Critic. Hugh Craig. G. B. Gilchrist. Roxburgh.