INWOOD’S MILL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17865, 5 June 1926, Page 2

INWOOD’S MILL.

To the Editor. Sir, —In last Saturday’s “Star” there is a picture taken from a painting by the late Mr George Turner, and Mr Green asks if anyone can tell him who occupied the house as shown on the left side. A portion of the house was occupied by Mr George Clark, cabinetmaker, and tbe other portion I think by Mr Hill, tailor. Mr Green is slightly in error as to where the picture was taken from, it could not have been from south of Gloucester Street, as a portion of the footbridge over the river at Gloucester Street is plainly seen on the right side of the picture. The picture was taken in Durham Street, in the neighbourhood of the Art Gallery, overlooking the site where the Government buildings now stand. Would Mr Green kindly say where Mr Woodford’s water mill stood, on Oxford Terrace, as the writer has quite forgotten the position. He remembers Inwood's mill, which stood on the island close to the Hereford Street bridge, b\it this mill was not built so early as 1856.—1 am, etc., OLD COLONIST. Mr R. E. Green writes, in replying to this letter:—The name Woodford was a misprint. I saw that as soon as the “Star” was issued. It should have been Daniel In wood’s mill. As for the date, for many years I was under the impression that the mill started to run in 1859, but I have seen it in print and have heard many people say it started late in 1856. This forced me to think that my memory was at fault, but, if “Old Colonist” is right, it goes to show that I should have trusted to my own memory and not have relied on that of others. I thank “Old Colonist” for drawing attention to the discrepancy which may lead to a more definite date, and for the names he has furnished regarding that shop on Oxford Terrace. No, “Old Colonist,” I am not even “slightly in error as to where the picture was taken from.” You have only to look at the picture again, and you will see that there is part of Gloucester Street Bridge to be seen. In this matter you are sadly astray. Gloucester Street Bridge was a massive suspension foot bridge erected in 1861. It cost £3OO. If the photo was taken from near the Art Gallery the whole of this bridge would be seen as well as Gloucester Street. The foot bridge which you say is plainly seen on the right of the picture is part of the Land Office Bridge. This was first built in 1857 at a cost of £2 0s Bd. In 1858 £57 more was spent on it, and up to the date of the snow storm it had cost £6l 8s 2d, and this bridge was on a line with Worcester Street, not Glou cester Street. I think you will now see that you are under a wrong impression when you describe that bridge as a portion of Gloucester Street Bridge. However, there is no harm done.