EARLY WAIRARAPA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 December 1925, Page 6

EARLY WAIRARAPA.

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. V> Following are some extracts from an interesting letter received from Mr. J. B. Ley don (Napier) at the last meeting of tho W airarnpa Larly Settle is Association: — “I was born in Wellington in 1854, and at 4 years of age was carried on my father’s back over the Bimutakas to* the plains of Wairarapa. At that time there was only a bridle track through the bush where Carterton now stands. We had to do the best wo could until such time as Dad built a slab whare. “1 can remember about the first job father tackled was to assist in erecting white pine polos, with pennants attached to mast head, to indicate tho road to Masterton. Later on I drove Dad’s horse and cart for Charley White, who had charge of forming the road from Olareville to the Waingnwa river, 10s per day being the amount received for hire of driver, horse and dray. Money was (lowing like water. "I can clearly remember accompanying my eldest brother with Dad s lunch when he was engaged uitll others in forming the road through the Three Mile Bush, about the same time the old-Black bridge was built. 1. mnv here mention that it was about this time that the late Tom Bay was credited with having lifted a lOcwt monkey used in the construction of tbe> bridge. My late father was present and saw him lift it. Speaking about tho late Tom Bay, I remember when his youngest brother was, killed at Morisou’s Bush, and was carried from the bush to Bay’s Hotel. Mr. Boe (?Bowe) is the man who carried him, and is now living in Nelson Crescent, Napier South. He is 79 years, and still hale and hearty. “J suppose tilcto are a good many of my boyhood pals knocking about your parts. There were the, Reid boys, the Bunny’s, Gus Gave, Bannister, the Greathead’s, Jim, Joe and Tom Ingley. the Wilton’s, Perry, Dnysli, and a host of others Lean mention; and last, but not forgotten, is Mr. T. Wagg, all jolly good fellows, everyone.”