O-RUA-PAEROA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5570, 20 May 1896, Page 2

O-RUA-PAEROA.

RISE AND PROGRESS OF NEW BRIGHTON. [By Te Kurapa.]. No. 111. Nothing would satisfy the pioneers until communication with Christchurch by tram was fairly under way, " and nothing has dono so much to bring the place up to its present attractiveness as the excellent tram service, which today i« the main factor in several ways, and without which the place would be quite behind the times. Among3t the enterprising band were Messrs Patterson, Hawker, (Ml;ou, M'lntyro, Rhodes, Gordon, Bowron and Anderson, and their joy was great when Mayor Hulbert drove the first spike of tlio tramway on Nov. 26, 1885. Mr Vincent (chairman of works) had the honour of driving home the second. Months rolled on, progress was slow, and tho hope of a speedy opening was not realised, Delay after delay occurred, and it was two years before a trial trip was run. That important and hopeful »ign of the times took place on Saturday, Jan. 8, 1887. An engine and one car did tho journey. The party were welcomed by Mr Goo. M'lntyre — 'then chairman of tho company' — the manager, Mr Evans, got tlio visitors seated, and soon they were bowling along Worcester Street en route to Now Brighton, where they arrived without the slightest mishap. The festivities that ONBiied were characterised by great enthuniiiHm, and tho tpast proposed by Mr C. W. Turner, " Success to. the fullest extent to tho Now Brighton Tramway Company," was very heartily responded to. TJIK UJHQUITOUB FHQTOGBAPHER had a shot at the muster of friend3 as they stood for tho liistorical picture, which today brings recollections of some who now are not. On Jan. 31, 1887, the Governmont inspector, . accompanied by Messrs M'lntyro, Gordon, Fryer and others made tho necossary inspection, drawn to and from Brighton by a modest one-horse car. Vexatious delays even after that. Tho first timetable appeared on Feb. C. Six trams daily, with the suggestive footnote — " Through tickets will be issued to Now Brighton." But the lino was not open for general traffic until Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1887, from which auspicious date New Brighton should reckon the commencement of its most important- era. Messrs Foster, Curtis, James Moor and a few others come here about this period, and the trend of local affairs improved. The tram was rapidly revolutionising the whole place, visitors came along:, houses began to rise here and there, roads were formed, a school was built, and other eloquent signs of advancement gladdened the hearts- of property holders. About August, 1889, THE PIER FEVER pi'ovailed, and the outcome was the letting of a section to Mr Holmes and a second one to Mr Wilson, whilst Mr Stumbles completed the structure some two years and a half ago. The pier forms a splendid promenade, and on summer days and moonlight evenings is well patronised by visitors and residents. The total length of the pier and approach is 634ft, the approach being a chain wide. It is quite a lion of the place, and should be more popular than it is. New Brighton viewed to-day and compared with what it was in the jubilee year, has grown amazingly. Then, we could not show a road as long as a rope-walk; now, the approximate mileage, of formed roads and sidewalks is a trifle under six- miles. In the main thoroughfares there are side channels and metalled sidewalks, and abundant evidences of up-to-dateness. Thanks to Mr Curtis— who is quite the recognised authority on all matters connected witli the rise and progress of the place — I am able to give THE NUMBER OF DWELLING PLACES in the district (exclusive of tents), viz., 264. What a happy contrast to the days when " Old Napoleon " was the only occupier of a weatherboard tenement on the flat. Walk around the place and note the pituresque villas and garden plots. In Union Street, Captain Owles occupies ant exceedingly pretty residence, much enhanced by the tastefully laid out garden and lawn, and an air of triinneas not to be beaten. Mr D. Stranaghan's handsome house and grounds come in for much comment, whilst Mr. W. White's is tho acknowledged premier residence in the district. . Several additional villas have, been built of late years, amongst the occupiers of which should be mentioned Messrs John Thomson, Sadler, Glanville, Paton, A. Thomson.. R. C. Bishop, Nicholl, Collins, Stoke, W. C. Byrne, Causey and others who have come to stay. Another residence, which has a beauty quite its own, is Mr Suckling's lovely retreat Dearsleyhurst, situated on the banks of the Okatara river, well sheltered, and beautifully laid out. It is an ideal site. Mr Suckling has improved the property considerably, and Dearsleyhurst is now quito a show place. Mr Pine's hand-' some two-storied house is almost completed, and is now quite a feature of Hawke Street. • . x. ON EVBUY HA-SD IMPROVEMENTS, no sign of going astern, but advancement is the evident intention of each pro-perty-holder here. However pessimistic visitors may be, they would abandon their ideas by noting and comparing Brighton of to-day with one year back. A splendid and never-failing water-supply, the absence of flying sand — unless closo to the beach — the prolific growth of trees and shrubs, have caused a metamorphosis not more wonderful than it is encouraging to admirers of this charming sea-side resort ; and the result of the census shows a clear increase of residents here which totals up to six hundred odd ! More conclusive proof of prosperity could not be shown. When our progressionists endeavoured to havo Now Brighton formed into a borough, their efforts were nullified by another element. The pros and cons were hotly debated ; results nil, and to-day, no borough. The old stagers are going slow, quietly waiting and watching the tactics of some who would fain have the seat of Government here, build a cathedral and compel ocean liners to take their final departure from the end of the pier. There is unison in the desire to make the place hum, only — the modus opcrandi does not find the desired unity of style. But the people will peg ahead somehow. One characteristic of the place is the keenness for sport shown by old and young. Tho Sailing Club is a vigorous and popular institution. Mr George Slater, the captain, and Messrs F. Thomas and A. E. Gee, who act as secretary and treasurer, have their hearts in it ; there are numerous pleasant outings, and the head-quarters is the scono of much activity on Saturday afternoons in tho summer time. The membership totals upwards of sixty-four, and the fleet consists of thirteen little craft.