PUNI CREEK

Southland Times, Issue 20523, 27 June 1928, Page 8

PUNI CREEK

INTERESTING HISTORY

DANGEROUS SWAMP AND ’TUSSOCKS OLD 'TIMES RECALLED Very few people in Invercargill realize that the rather despised Puni Creek has not always been a meek stream flowing between straight concrete banks, but has had a varied and turbulent history. Yesterday a Times reporter dug deeply into its past history, and found many facts which should be of interest to those who remember the old days as well as those to whom the Puni seems to have no romance.

Away back in the early days, until about 1850, or ’6O, the Puni used to wind to and fro across the treacherous tussock, flax and swamp that covered all the flat between Tay and Tweed streets (of course, that is speaking of the approximate positions in the swamp—there were few of the present streets laid out). This tussock swamp was a continual source of annoyance to residents and it is said that a Mr Froggatt, the butcher at that time, lost several head or cattle at different times when they strayed away into these environs. Even on horseback, it was a hard job picking one’s way through the high tussocks. On the original plan of Invercargill, drawn up by Mr J. T. Thomson, the windings of the creek were shown over the proposed blocks and consequently a fair idea of its course can be obtained. While speaking of this, it may be mentioned that Mr. Thomson’s wonderful foresight was shown by the fact that with’ a dotted line he had sketched the straightened course of the stream as he thought it would be best, and years afterwards his scheme was adopted. It appears that, flowing closer to the steep bank at the corner of Clyde and Tay streets than it does at present, it then swung abruptly across, just about under the mothers’ rest rooms, crossed the present position of Forth street and made tortuous turnings about where the timber yards now’ stand. It then swept quickly back across Forth street to the foot of where the Masonic Temple now stands and follow ed a fairly straight course in much the same position as it does to-day. Near where Rugby Park is was a large swimming pool that was used by all the boys from Richmond Grove and the surrounding districts and directly behind the present Education Board Offices, where in those days a private school was in being, was another popular swimming pool, well over a boy’s head in depth. Down by the corner of the National Bank of New Zealand w r as a large pool used for another purpose. The road from Woodlands was in such a state that one could never tell the colour of a horse on account of the mud which w’as splashed all over it. As soon as Invercargill was reached, the horse woulc be rushed to this pool where it would be swum and washed.

In those days the only bridge across the Puni was a few planks at the present Clyde street crossing, although a little later wooden bridges, one for carts and a smaller one for pedestrians, were erected.

The old boats always used to land their passengers up the Puni at the Cylde street bridge. The Maoris used to sail high up the Puni into the midst of the flax beds which at that time were the finest in Southland and as has been said, extended right from Clyde street up to Kennington with occasional breaks. The present flax-beds, by the way, up at One Tree Point give to the water the peculiar yellowish-red colour. Along the south bank of the Puni, about where J. G. Ward’s long stores run, was a long rope-works where a large amount of rope was manufactured from the flax.

About 1866 work was commenced under the late Mr William Cruickshanks towards straightening the Puni to the plans of the original surveyor. With horse and dray, pick and shovel, the arduous work was carried through. As the new bed was dug, the older one was filled in. About a dozen men were employed on the job and it is understood that about 6/- or 7/- a day was the average wage at the time. The straightening was begun from Doon street downwards. The old bed of the river manifests itself still in the fact that great difficulty was experienced in securing adequate foundations for the Marist School which is in its track.

Even after the straightening the surroundings of the creek were very different from to-day. There was a steep bank on the south side of Tay street on which no shops at that time were built. Old boats were always to be seen lying on the bank and where the Bank of New Zealand is now was once the rubbish tip. All the flat country was still tussock-covered.

A little later the rudeness of nature began to be softened and the present gardens were begun. The concrete embankments were not then built and there was only a grass-covered low bank. English trees in one part grew over the water so that their leaves touched above, but somehow or other these seem to have disappeared. A pond of jet black swans was to be found in the Conon-Ythan block. In 1901 the concrete bridges were built by prison labour and some time later when the new sewerage was being installed the concrete banks were built. Since then no important alterations have been made to the Puni. The creek rises in a flax swamp in Mr P. Gilfedder’s farm at One Tree Point and from its source to where it enters the estuary it is roughly seven miles long. The meaning of the Maori word “Puni” is interesting. As a noun it means “a place of encampment.” As an adjective it means “stopped up” or “filled up.” It seems most probable that the first is the real meaning since it is affirmed by many early inhabitants of Invercargill that the Maoris, going up to their flax-swamps, used always to encamp on the banks. Several think, however, that the name means “stopped up” because they believe that at various times the mouth became blocked with debris of various kinds and made the Puni overflow all over the swamp. However, that is a question that may never be settled; but the more one learns of the Puni the more one realizes that appearances are always deceptive and that there is romance in even the most prosaic things. ______________