MEDICAL PRACTICE IN OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND IN THE EARLY DAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3500, 12 April 1921, Page 53

MEDICAL PRACTICE IN OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND IN THE EARLY DAYS.

By

Robert Valpy Fulton, M.D.

No. LVII.—DUNEDIN IN THE SIXTIES. SHADRACH JONES. One of the best known men in Dunedin in the sixties was Shadrach. Jones, a qualified medical man who was not then in practice, but who in a number of ways displayed great activity in catering for the public welfare and amusement. Coming to Dunedin in 1861 from Sandhurst, Victoria, when he and Charles Bird were in partnership as auctioneers, etc., he bought the Provincial Hotel, which was then unfinished, and Mr Bird, joining him from Australia, the firm Jones, Bird and Co., became a very important one in the rising town. The hotel itself was in those days a bustling important hostelry. The records tell us that frequently 50 persons sat down to dinner, and that six bars were going constantly, doing a roaring business up to a late hour of the evening, as was the law in those days. The firm had the Princess Theatre, Jones’s Horse Bazaar, Jones’s New Cattle Yards, Jones’s Carriage Repository, and a good trading and mercantile business. They went into many enterprises, and, purchasing the Commercial Hotel in High street, near the Arcade, and knocking out the inside of it, converted it into a big hall, which they called the Corinthian. Here the young bloods of the day used to resort. There was a large, semi-circular bar running nearly Tound the room —a few seats were provided. At the unoccupied end was a stage and here the “INIMITABLE THATCHER” as he was called gave lengthy entertainments. Thatcher was in the firm so far as this enterprise was concerned. He ran the musical and dramatic part of the show, took all the money for admission (Is a head), paid the performers, etc., and Jones, Bird, and Company had the profits from the bar. Madame Vitelli, Miss Dickson, Mr Small and Thatcher kept the crowd interested and amused. Thatcher’s songs were witty, if at times bordering on the vulgar; they were frequently so personal as to land him in trouble. His name will go down to posterity as the finst to make distinct use of the term “old identity.” So far as we can gather, the facts are as follow:—In February, 1862, a vacancy occurred in the Provincial Council, owing to the resignation of. Dr Purdie. Mr George Hepburn, in proposing Mr E. B, Cargill as the candidate for the western district, said : “It was important to select an old settler as their representative, because in these bustling days, the old settlers ran a great risk of being overlooked and quite shelved unless they endeavoured to assume their proper position and stand up for it.” Mr Cargill replied that “it required a strong and united effort to enable the old Otago settlers to assume their proper place.” There is no mention here of the words “old identity,” but the writer has heard his father and many others discussing this speech, and it is generally understood that Mr Cargill said “to assume their proper place and PRESERVE THEIR IDENTITY.” Thatcher, with his quickness and wit, seized on the word which was certainly used, and in his clever, gibing satire, always dii'ected against the Scottish in habitants, who intensely disliked the horde of invading Victorians, made-a great hit at his morning concert in the aforesaid hall. Mr Cargill in the Council made euch a funny He got up and he stated that it devolved on each , Of all the early dwellers to preserve sate as could be. Amid the Victorian influx, the Old Identity. This speech Eome of the Council pooh-poohed and did resent. But really new I’m puzzled to know what Cargill meant, Perhaps on us newcomers he ha 3 a “down you see, And fears we’ll he destroying the Old Identity. Are we to live on parritch, does Mr Cargill think? i Or is that fiery whisky to he our usual drink ? But I’ll tell Mr Cargill how his brethern here, and he May always be preserving the Old Identity. Go on the same old fashion and ne’er improve the town, And still on all newcomers keep up a fearful “dtown,” Touch not that old Post Office, let that old jetty he, For fear we’d be destroying the Old Identity. Still cherish barbarism, stick to Dunedin mud, And with your eight year leases “chouse” the Victorian blood. Still dress your ancient postman in the style we daily see, His costume is essential to the Old Identity. Little did Mr Cargill think when lie wished the early Scottish settlers to “preserve their identity,” amid the tremendous influx of diggers from Australia. little did Thatcher dream when be capered on the stage and evoked roars of laughter from his admiring audience, that he was using for the first time, and using in a contemptious manner, a term—a name—which would go down to all time as one of the moet honoured and respected of the Dominion, “AN OLD IDENTITY.” The postman who rode about in his scarlet coat, which be had cut out of a red blanket in order to give himself an official and military appearance, was Jock Graham, who had the contract to take

letters to and from the diggings. Jock rode a white horse, carried a horn which he tootled vigorously, had a bonnet or military cocked hat, with white feathers in it, and these, with his red coat, made him a conspicuous figure in the town. Jones and Bird went into so many ventures that some financial shortage came upon them and they called one day upon the manager of the Commercial Bank and asked for an additional overdraft. “Well,” says “Mr Macintyre,” the manager, “you know you are pretty deeply into us already Mr Jones. Cannot you jog along as you are? Don’t launch out quite so much until some of these schemes begin to bring in a bit more. What about that next sale of horses and can’t you wait a little ? You know we are short of money all round now !” (How history repeats itself — 1921). “No,” says Mr Jones thumping the table, “the theatre costs a good deal just now, we are renovating and painting, and the firm wants some ready cash for purchase of stock; we are doing a big trading and general merchants business. We musthave some more money or sound backing. Look at our assets, your security is ample. We’ll have to go to the other bank, etc.” “Well, well, that is all right Mr Jones” said the manager, really anxious to do what he could for good clients. “How much do you want?” “How much have you got?” shouted Jones thumping the table again. Charlie Bird all the time had been standing alongside of his partner, saying nothing but with a quiet twinkle in his eye. They got their money and carried on for some time successfully, but .eventually dissolved partnership, Jones going back to England. Jones did not practise in Dunedin, hut one day, being called upon for the jury, lie had the effrontery to send round to the Sheriff of the Supreme Court (this was the local judge) praying to be excused from attendance as a juryman, pointing out his medical qualifications and pleading privilege of being exempted. He was promptly brought to his senses and reprimanded by the Sheriff, Mr Gillies, who was an important personage in those days. He pointed out that the exemption only related to those who were engaged in actual practice and that he must attend or be fined or gaoled. Shadrach Jones was a great sport and showed it in his dress and demeanour. He was inclined at times to be flash with large check waistcoat, heavy gold ring, tie pin and watchchain, etc., but was at all times interested in the people’s welfare, naturally with an eye to the “main chance.” He was always keen on bringing over good theatrical companies from Australia, billiard champions, boxers and dancers, and entertainers of all sorts. He opened the Princess Theatre in 1862. and next year arranged for and financed the “All England Cricket XI,” which came early in 1864. ALL ENGLAND ELEVEN. The match against XXII of Otago was played on February 3, 1664. and. resulted in an easy win for the English team. According to the paper, the weather was all that could be desired, but the attendance was- poor and the stand erected by Mr Jones sparsely patronised. This may have been due to the previous days gale, two-thirds of the roof having been stripped off and not repaired in time for the match. The pitch upon the Southern Recreation Ground was far from good, and so indifferent did the English team find it that after the innings of the Otago XXII, they pitched a- fresh wicket before going in themselves, hut found it very little superior to that first selected. The English XI were driven down to the ground in a coach and six and returned to the Provincial each day in the same style. On the first day the local team was dismissed for 71, no fewer than nine “ducks” being registered. Stage fright no doublt accounted for much. Next day the gale blew hard again and interfered with the game. Much of the zinc •roof of the stand was blown away and during the day, several more of the sheets were lifted bodily and CARRIED AWAY BY THE WIND. In order to try and beat the “dead heads” who objected to payment and watched the play from the cemetery hill, or rather, the sloping spur which ran from above lower Maitland street down to the Oval, a great screen or hoarding was erected, and this certainly was followed by a better attendance on the ground. The paper says that the police were in attendance and somewhat naively remarks “not the smallest disturbance occurred.” There was nothing startling in the way of play on either side; Otago were again dismissed for the small score of 83. nine “ducks” being again charted. All England WON BY NINE WICKETS. Two curiosities may he noted of the good old days. “Grace and Lockyer made 24 each, and tied for the highest score. Owing to a very heavy sweep having been drawn for the highest scorer, great interest was felt as to the fortunate man and now the sweep will have to be divided unless the second innings is played out.” “The day was warm, and later on quite pleasant, and toward the afternoon a great number of persons came on the ground. The scorer’s tent was in the same place as before, hu’t the man in charge had an arduous task for a large number of persons persisted in passing and repassing between the tent and the game, with the object, apparently, of obstructing ns much as possible. Many of those so offending were persons who should have known better.” Amongst other novelties on the ground was a genuine old Punch and .Tudv Show and this appeared to he a highly popular institution. Next day. a match was played against a combined XXII of Canterbury and Otago who made 91 and 66. All England making 73 in tlie first innings and the game was drawn as there was no time for their second innings. Two points may be noted, at the combined XXII luncheon, Mr Vincent Pyke was in the chair. A singular addition was made to the company in the persons of about a dozen Maoris—men, women, and

girls—-and their keen appreciation of the comestibles was amusing in the greatest degree. All things considered they conducted themselves remarkably well and the only part of the proceedings they did not understand was the speech making when the toast were proposed. One elderly lady was made to believe that the speech making was -all in her honour and received the compliments and cheers with quiet complacency. We do not know anything of the Canterbury men, but if we are not mistaken there is not one of the Otago XXII left. Mr Joseph 80-rton, the um.pire, who is of a great age, and almost an invalid through failing eyesight, is, however, still living among us. On leaving Dunedin the Englishmen were driven from the Provincial, in their coach and six, accompanied by a band of music. With them, of course, travelled the XXII, the Canterbury men to return home, and the Otago men to see 'them off. An aquatic procession was formed, the XI and XXII being t-owed by the watermen of the port, BOTH BEING LOUDLY CHEERED as they . started, and as loudly returning the compliment. The cricketers were conveyed in the new boats Lady Gay Spanker and Lola Montes which had been placed at their disposal by Mr Liardet. On arriving on board the “City” more .cheering and health drinking took place, after which the steamer got under weigh and started off amidst uproarious cheers. Mr Philip Bremner, who was present at the first match, gives the following interesting note, which, coming from a mere youngster as lie then was, shows pretty close observation and some knowledge of the game. It would be interesting to know to what positions in the community the vendors of shell fish and fruit have attained : “The advent of the All England Eleven in the beginning of 1864 excited a good deal of interest. A strong nor’-wester was blowing the day they arrived by road from Port Chalmers. I saw the match played, and was impressed by the hatting of E.M. Grace, the bowling of Tarrant, the swiftest bowler in the world, and by the high, slow bowling of Tinlev, when the ball alighted before it reached the crease, and if the batsman was tempted to leave the crease and missed the ball, Lockyer, the best wicket-keeper of the day, would have him out. The 22 Otago men made some appearance on the field, but they were outclassed by the visitors. The match over, the Englishmen had a contest amongst themselves in throwing the ball. From a short distance in front of the grandstand, on the Oval, they threw the hall out into the field. Booth, an Otago man, throwing it hack to them. Grace, a strongly built man, won the contest, but I thought that Booth could throw the ball as far as any of the Englishmen did. Near the grandstand, I saw some North Dunedin boys turning somersaults, and walking on their hands for pennies or other coins thrown to them. Another North Dunedin lad 1 showed some enterprise by hawking boiled periwinkles announcing his wares by shouting, “Winkidi-wink. wink, periwink!” He did some business, certainly, but- a brisker business was carried on by a fruit vendor whose cry was, “Taste ’em, and try ’em before you buy ’em.” Shadrach Jones was a great betting man and made money fast, but lost or spent it as easily. Several pictures of him may be seen in the Otago Punch of those days. He is depicted as a short, stout, rubicund individual, with a “draught board” waistcoat-, fat cigar in his- mouth, sturdy bull dog at heel, and a lavish displays of jewellery, etc.