EARLY WAGONING DAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26776, 20 May 1948, Page 6

EARLY WAGONING DAYS

Sir, —I wish to endorse the kind remarks made by T. T. Cooper, a tribute richly deserved, in regard of George Pearce, who to my knowledge was widely noted for his generous acts to all to whom he could do a good turn. He drove his wagon, and usually 10 horses, for many years from Cardrona to Clyde before the railway was brought to Cromwell, carrying coal, wool and grain, also other loading over roads that were bad and not at all the good roads we have to-day. He often arrived late at. night, but would rise again at 3 o’clock in the morning to feed and groom his well-cared' for team, m which he took great pride, in readiness for the day’s journey. _ In his younger days Mr Pearce was noted for his skilful handling and breaking in of young horses. In his wagoning days many people were grateful to nim for kindness and help which he gave unstintingly in their time of need. I am, etc., Milton. « One 01/fnem-

Sir,— May I correct a .slight error in the letter from ” One of the Early Birds concerning Billy Brenssell? BiUy drove his own team, not one belonging to Gladbrook Station, although he did most of the station .carting. After he was killed his father, Charles Brenssell, sen who had been wagoning since the middle sixties, took over his team. At the time of the accident this notice appeared in the Otago Witness (April, 1,1882): Our Outram correspondent writes, A sad fatal accident befell a wagoner named W. M. Brenssell on March 22. He was going to Gladbrook Station with a heavy load of grass seed, and when going down the hill at Deep Stream, the brake of his wagon is supposed to have given way and the wagon capsized, with the result that he was crushed to death. There was none present at the time, but a roadman named Storrie must have been at the scene of the accident shortly after it occurred and was the first to bring assistance. The committee responsible for writing the history of Strath Taieri and Macraes are making every effort to have a full list of all wagoners who came to these districts, and if the writer to your column who signed himself “Anon" should read this, will he please write to me as there are several points in his letter on which we would like further information.— l am, etc., M. C. Brenssell: Secretary, Strath Taieri and Macraes Historical Committee, Middlemarch.