A LINK WITH THE PAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3556, 9 May 1922, Page 60

A LINK WITH THE PAST.

The Miller’s Flat people had the other clay one of the most enjoyable social gatherings that ever I have had the pleasure of attending in the district. The occasion was the opening of Stewart’s Creek bridge, Island Block, an account of which has already appeared in your columns, and the details I need not repeat here. A finer day for the occasion could not have been desired, and all , seemed to have enjoyed themselves immensely. Many came from Tapanui, Heriot, Coal Creek, Roxburgh, and some from Dunedin, including Air James Horn, AI.P. for AVapatipu, and Alx John Edie, M.P. for Bruce; also the majority of the Tuapeka County Councillors. The handsome little bridge was erected by the Stewart family to commemorate their late worthy parents, and to mark the spot near the place where they themselves were born. The bridge was designed and built by Air R. T. Stewart, and suitably inscribed in memory of the eld folk, who first settled down there 50 years ago, and started an accommodation-house, where the old miners and travellers were always welcomed. The bridge is a perfect . model, combining the qualities of strength, durability, and elegance, and was handed over by Mr Stewart to the guardianship of the Tuapeka County Council with a guarantee that it would require no repairs during the present and coming generation. For this generous gift not only the Co-unty Council but the people of the district and travelling public owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Stewart for the convenience he has bestowed for all time to coma upon them. After the cutting of the ribbon and the unveiling of the inscription pillar by Air Stewart’s two daughters respectively, the bridge was then declared open by the county chairman, and the people adjourned to a spaceous marquee erected for the purpose, where a good spread awaited them, including all kinds of Central Otago fruit. Among those present were •?, sprinkling of old identities. A few of them gave their experiences in the early days, and all spoke in the highest terms of the late Air and Mrs Stewart. These old people, among whom were several ladies, looked hale and hearty, the very picture of good health, although they comprised a few of the last links of the noble chain that binds this sterling band of old pioneers, who subdued the wilderness when there were neither roads nor bridges to cany them on, and now there can be o-nly a few more short years left when the last link in the chain shall be broken for ever, and other generations will arise that knew them not. But it is a consolation for them to know that when they pass from this planet to the Great Beyond that in passing “they leave behind them their footprints on the sands of time.” I subjoin the names of the old identities that now remain in Miller’s Flat. The first place of honour must be given to Air Robert Ricld, at the age of 90, and the rest all approaching t-he fo-uir score:—Messrs AVilliam M’Lennan, H. B. Ferguson, James Brown, David Ballantine, Billy Quayle, P. C. Grant, and George Bennett, and among the women Mrs Grahame and Airs Armstrong, are all who remain. I regret to have to -announce the death of an old resident of Aliller’s Flat, at the age of 82, in the person of Airs Ferguson, whose remains were followed to the grave by a large concourse of people. The late Atrs Fergu-son was the eldest daughter of the late Air John E-ady and Mrs E-ady (still living). Air Eady for a long time was punt man and proprietor of the Bridge Hotel, and afterwards went to live in Dunedm Mrs .Ferguson was horn in Aliller’s I'lat, and lived there all her lifetime She was married to Mr Harry R. Ferguson over 4° years ago, and they had eleven of a family sever, boys and four girls. Four of die boys went to the front, two of then made the supreme sacrifice: truly a lav"e Hth Ve rW o no i lo , T° rd ' In 'connection witir the deceased lady, it mav be mentioned that at the time when the "old digging rush was about its height, and before Ou.,vU le ° f Ma \ “ d name Pl^Bil? v f ?aH himS'f “J 10 delights to can mmsett, Ihe Quavle.” This o„ a „i 0 was always a bird o-f .passage, here there and everywhere; but invariably turned m! on important evasions at Miller’s FTR one of the occasions referred ” wa \vhen lie was best man at Air and Airs Fermion's wedding; and, strange to say, he wfs /L lHe e Mi F to Ca . lTy f out and’ conduct tie late Air Ferguson’s funeral, at a. time when vacant 7n Mill °’ f i?w ert ?T er had vacant m Millers Flat. Air Quavle was the ™ al } r -n !l °, b ™ led first resident who died m Aimer s Flat, Duncan Al'Rea. The coffin had to be taken from Roxburgh down to the —niSTl ßl ?® B? nd before the river could be crossed,. by about 15 or 16 men, to the ”rterment; so that Mr Quayle was thus dm undertaker to conduct the funeral te MPte f ‘' rSt iri ai l d la f* i to date > individuals in AliHei s Flat, and the first man to fake out a, death certificate from the registrar’s office at Aliller’s Flat.—Own Correspondent