EARLY NEW BRIGHTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16738, 20 May 1922, Page 8

EARLY NEW BRIGHTON.

AN HISTORICAL SKETGH. NEW FACTS BROUGHT TO LIGHT. HOW THE TOWNSHIP WAS FORMED. ! ' ■ Since the publication in the ” Star ! of Mr G. T. Hawker’s recollections of | early New Brighton, which appeared a few weeks ago, a desire has been expressed by a number of residents of tbe seaside borough that further information respecting the history of New Brighton should be obtained. No authentic information lias, it appears, previously been published, and with the remarkable progress of the borough during recent years, it is felt that the time is opportune for the facts to be brought to light. Much of the information in the interview given by Mr Hawker was of great importance, but as Mr Hawker spoke from memory only, he was unable to give actual dates of many of the principal happenings. On making further inquiries among old residents of New Brighton, a ” Star ” reporter was informed that Mr John W. Bissett, of Teviot House, Palmer’s Road, New Brighton, had prepared a history of the borough from its earliest date. Mr Bissett himself is not one of the early settlers of New Brighton, but when he arrived in tho borough about eight years ago he made it one of his hobbies to collect all the information pertaining to New Brigoton that was within his reach. During a period of several years he interviewed many of the oldest residents, and by this means was enabled to compile an authentic history. This fondness for research, Mr Bissett explains as being a sympathetic taste acquired from his brother, who, at the age < f twenty-eight years, was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Although not a pioneer of New Brighton, Mr Bissett is very proud of the progress it has made. He is a member of the New Brighton Borough Council and is chairman of the Lighting Committee. THE BIRTH OF NEW BRIGHTON. The birth of New Brighton took place in the year 1860, states Mr Bissett in his notes. On April 29 of that ye-ar a merry working party of five set out to build the first house of the then unnamed New Brighton. Their names were, Steven Brooker, Thomas Free, sen., William Free, jun., David Hamilton and Enoch Barker. Their conveyance was a galvanised, iron ease about eight feet in length and one foot from the ground, on four circular one-piece w l heels without spokes, and drawn by a bullock. Manuka scrub was employed at five or six creeks to keep the bullock from being bogged. The party reached the site on which the old Bower Hotel stood, and there built a house with manuka scrub and plastered it w’ith clay. Mr Thomas Free was the carpenter, and following the erection of his own whare, he, with Mr David Hamilton, next built the house of Enoch Barker a few chains further along towards Burwood. David Hamilton then built a two-storey house for himself adjacent to the others. THE “ PUNT.” Burwood at that period was called the ‘ Punt.” There being no bridges the crossing of the river to the fine pasture land on the opposite side was effected by a punt, on which the cattle were taken across when they would not swim it. Mr Steven Brooker’s house was the fourth one to be built. About this time the Provincial Council had an idea that the river could be utilised 1 for boats and launches. To this aim, Mr Guise Brittan, a member of the Provincial Council, accompanied by two j others, crossed over from Lyttelton in a small paddle steamer and sailed ap the river and landed on December 16, (Anniversary Day), 1860, at the jetty in front of Thomas Free’s whare. They were met by Steven Broker, Thomas Free, senr., Enoch Barker and William Free, Junr. When the visitors came ashore William Free wrote in chalk on a board the magic words “ New Brighton,” and nailed the board to a post, as index to the name honoured for the new locality and as an honour to Mr Steven Brooker, who had been born in Brighton, Kent, England, and who then owned twenty acres adjoining the whare. The infant burgh was christened by Mr Guise Brittan and all the party, the occasion being the tenth annivercary of the founding of the Province of Canterbury. The erection of the Brookers’ house was followed in 1861 by the house for Mr Thomas Palmer, which still remains standing. A house for a. Mr Painter was the sixth house built. Tt also was adjacent to the site of the old Bower Hotel. Up to this time (1861), there was no settlement where the present town of New Brighton stands. CUTTING THE NEW CHANNEL. After a visit to the river by the Provincial member, the Provincial Council decided to extend tho practical use of the river, for boats or steamers, by clearing it and cutting a new channel just below the present tramway bridge. The river at that period ran round in a loop about the present Richmond Terrace, across which the sand was continuously blowing into ter races. This had the effect of almost blocking the channel of the river for the passage of boats. The new chan- 1

nel or cutting was completed in 1869. After this it was a common sight to gee a schooner with mainsail jib and top sails set, sailing up the river towards Christchurch. No trees grew along the banks then, the trees now growing on the banks being obtained at first principally from the cuttings not required in the making of Hagley Park. The water-cress now growing in the river, was first brought from Sydney in the 4 ‘ Ccmipte-de-Paris.” Some was obtained bv Mr Deans of Riccarton. who got it from Akaroa and planted it in the river for his own use. “ THE DECISIVE STEP.” It was not until the year 1873 when the decisive step to New Brighton’s future was undertaken. In that year Mr J. H. Hopkins, of Ferry Road, Woolston, startled the adjoining districts by buying from the Government practically the whole central area (then waste land) of the present borough, investing £3OO in 150 acres- He then built the ” Villa.” designed for a boarding-house. Tt was situated near the river on what is now Sea View Road, and is still standing. This was followed by his building of the hotel at the terminus of Sea View Road, on the Esplanade. Hopkins next constructed the wharf and built the first passenger steam boat for the river. This was a boat capable of carrying 170 passengers. It was named the ” Brighton ” and was built at Lyttelton. THE STAGE OOCAOH. The advent of the stage coach was thus invoked and the stag© coach of David Hamilton with its two horses commenced to run. The route taken was along the river to Stanmore Bridge and thence to Christchurch. Mr James C. Hawkes at thin period purchased from Mr Hopkins 40 acres of the land situated on the north side of Sea View Road. He presented two acres of this land to the Church of England as a site for a church and school, the transfer being effected on January 9, 1880 The remainder of the land he mapped out for intending settlement. The hotel and the larger portion of Hopkins’s property had by this time been bought by Mr Oram, who occupied the hotel. FIRST PUBLIC LAND SALE The first public land sale in New Brighton was held at the hotel and was conducted by Mr Oram. Forty acres of the land adjoining the hotel was put up for sale in aero sections A free banquet was provided and at the beginning of the sale Mr Oram announced that the first purchaser would have a, first choice of the sections in the forty acres. The first acre at £lO was bought by Mr B. Taafe, a mason, who chose ten chains by one deep from the corner of the present day George Street. Mr Thomas Palmer and his son bought the nert two acres at £lO each with an additional quarter aero given free to the purchaser of more than one acre. The land bought was the site of the present cafe, and Mr Thomas Palmei reluctantly stated that as there were no more purchasers they would adjourn to attend the luncheon, in the course of which he lost a bet «of a case of champagne (£10) to Mr Oram, which might have given him another acre. “ A GREAT TRANSITION.” In 1885, there were not more than ten buildings in the township. The hotel was then the property of Mr Patterson and Sea View Road was yet a aand-traot. In the next few years, however, a great change had come over the area—houses had gone up, shops opened, a postal branch established and roads and streets planned and located by the boundaries of 670 sections then owned. The first shop was opened by Mr Blake. This was followed bv another shop, for Mr Sefton, who first kept the mails. Mr AH. Wyatt took over Mr Sefton’s business in 1888. THE TRAMWAY COMPANIES. The New Brighton Tramway Company was formed in 1885 and by the year 1887 the lines had reached Sea View Road, and the bridge across the river was built. The North Brighton tramway was commenced in construction from Richmond to Burwood in August, 1889, and the further extension to North Beach reached Norton Street about 1906. On the completion of this extension the morning car from Norton Street, as its commencement, obtained only one passenger to Christchurch, that passenger being Mr R Blank, then a student, at the University. Mr Blank ” bached ” alone and he subsequently took a very active part in the extension and development of North Beach. Mr Blank recalls that after the first few mornings when he was the single occupant of the first car, the Tramway Board withdrew the car and sent in its place a trap or gig to take him to join the car waiting at Burwood. This was continued for about six weeks until the term at the University concluded. THE 3SIRST LOAN MONEY. Several residents who wished to see tbe township improved, endeavoured in February, 1889, to get the Avon Road Board to improve the roads. That body stated that they were unable t-o do all that was required and referred the residents to the Roads Act of 1882 under which they had tho option of refusing to take over any roads. The residents then called a meeting and decided to get the work put through themselves, the principal workers in the agitation being Messrs) M’lntyre, Patterson, Curtis, A. G. Ashby and Foster end the Rev Inwood. Tlie meeting obtained advice from an engineer who said that George Street could be formed and metalled for £9O. Promises for this sum were given but

when the promises were required to materialise only « bout £3O could be obtained. A loan of £4OOO was then raised through the Avon Road Board. The major portion of this money was spent in forming a timber wall esplanade, from which it was possible to dangli one’s legs into the sea at high tide. The sands have now buried this wall and only its memory is left. The balance of the loan was used in the area of Sea View Road, Union Street, Hood Street, etc. This loan was succeeded bv a further loan of £3OOO from the Government, the two loans being incor • porated as one. SIGNS OF PROGRESS. The first paths and roads were Sea View Road* George Street, Union Street, Hood Street, Pine Avenue to Fox Street with Harriet, Ann and Vogel Street sw .vhile on the north side of Sea View Road, Hawkes Street, Lucy Street and James Street were endeavouring to materialise. The sections were mostly of the quarter acre dimensions. The inauguration of the New Brighton School was resolved upon in August, 1808. wh'-*n a deputation consisting Hawker, Foster, Patterson ana Sefton was appointed to wait on the Education Board, offering the use of the Beach Church as a schoolroom if the board would provide a master. At this period New Brigh - ton was part of the Rurwood School District. The deputation was successful with the Education Board, which granted the request. Eighteen applications were received for the position of schoolmaster and Mr Bishop was selected on January 28, 1889 The Beach School was opened on Monday, February 4. 1889, in the Wesleyan Ohuroh, Union Street, which had just previously been opened. The first roll laid claim to about forty children. Two months after the opening of the school, a head mistress was appointed in the person of Miss Gardner, who later became Mrs Bickerton, of Wainoni. ORIGIN OF THE PIER The agitation for the construction of a pier at New Brighton commenced in the year 188 S. On February 12 of that year a special meeting of those interested in the project was held at Patterson’s Hotel, and was attended by a number of Christchurch residentsMr J. G. Warner was ultimately chosen as the designer and engineer of the pier, and the specifications, with designs submitted at subsequent meetings, were to embody the following : “ The pier or jetty to be 700 feet in length. The pier to be built of tiers of iron piles well sunk' and braced 2oft apart, to a distance of 600 feet. Tlie floorway to be 20 feet wide. At the end of 600 feet the pier to widen out to 100 feet octagon, which would be railed round and covered. Oti this octagon to be built a pavilion rising from 17 feet to 37 feet in the centre, which will provide seating accommodation for 1600 persons. Projecting from each ride of the entrance to the pavilion will he a landing stage for use at either high or low water affording an 8 feet depth of water at low tide and 15 feet at high water. The whole is to be protected from the force of the sea by means of a double breakwater in crescent shape, which, projecting beyond either end of the pier, will enable vessels to land their passengers easily and lie quiet at safety in all weathers.” A CAPITAL OF £6OOO. The prospectus of the Pier Company' was placed before the public and registered for 5000 shares at £1 each. Mr Neat© was elected chairman of the company and the directors were Messrs H. L. Bowker. L- Bligh, E. Sefton, J. Patterson, W. H. Cooper, E. Sinclair, E. F. Moore and J. Fuchs At n subsequent meeting itf was recorded by the engineer:—‘‘That the stability of the pier will be ensured by the use of screw piles, for which the trial bores prove there is splendid holding ground.” The cost of the breakwater, suggested alterations for a promenade roof, eto., found the company at the first annual meeting in difficulties. The shares then bought were reported to total 1013, with 2013 applied for. The cash received was £B7 18s, and the expenditure was £77, leaving a credit balance of £lO 18s. On March 7, 1890, the directors repudiated liability for any further expenses, and Mr Varner, the engineer, resigned. From the ashes of the first plans and intentions, the present pier was evolved, minus the pavilion and breakwater. The first pile was driven on May 2, 1891, and the pier was opened on January 9, 1891, by Lord Glasgow, the then Governor of the Colony. A Frenchman, M. Duval, was the engineer. On two occasions since thatperiod the pier has been extended, until it reached its present length. FORMATION OF TOWN BOARD. On October 11. 1888, a public meeting was held at Mr Sefton’s store, between thirty and forty residents being prevsont. Mr P. J. Fryer presided. Mr Bow byes proposed, and Mr Simpson seconded:—“ That it is desirable to form New Brighton into a town district.” This was carried, and the meeting then resolved, on the motion of Mr Sefton', and seconded by Mr Baynes:— ‘‘ That 'i committee be formed to define the boundaries of the said district and obtain signatures to a petition to be forwarded to the Government, praying that the district h*» declared a town district.” The following were then elected to the committee :—Messrs Curtis. Baynes. Fryer Foster. Hawker, Parry and Sefton. Mr Curtis stated that, there were I 670 sections in the district, and sug gested that the owners should be re * quested to subscribe £1 each to avoid

striking rates- It was pointed out that the rate of 3d on the capital value which was then collected in New Brighton by the Avon Road Board, amounted to £125. Mr Bis sett had calculated that on the Id rate and the total of £125 collected. the assessed rateable value of New Brighton at that period (1888) would be' £22,500. as compared with £3OO in 1873 and £572,176 to-day. MR R C. BISHOP ELECTED FIRST MAYOR. After the establishment of the town board. New Brighton rapidly progressed, and in the year 1896, it was constituted a borough, Mr R- C. Bishop, the manager of the Christchurch Gas Company, being elected the first Mayor. The following; is a list or the Mayors of the borough and their years or office: - - 1898-98—R. C. Bishop. 1898-99 —C. H. Winny. 1899 1900—G. M’lntyre. 1900- —C. H. Winny. 1901- C. H ’Winny. 1902- C. H. Winny. 1903- —C. H. Winny. 1904- —C. H. Winny. 1905- C. H. Winny. 1906- —G. D M’Farlane. 1907 08—G. I>- M’Farlane. 1908- —J. Glanville. 1909- —J. Glanville. 1910- —W. Bellamy. 1911- —C. FI. Opie. 1912- J. A. Flesher. 1913- —O. FI. Winny. 1914- —C. F£. Winny. 1915- —J. A. Flesher. 1917-19—F. Kibblevvhite. 1919-21 —F. Kibble white. 1921-22 —J. Gamble.