PAGES FROM THE PAST

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 4, 5 January 1940, Page 2

PAGES FROM THE PAST

Woodville As It Was RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LATE MRS, MARY BARKWITH The late Mrs. Alary Barkwith, whose death occurred recently, had many re- I collections of Woodville as it was 54 ’ years ago, and in February, 1925, she committed some %£ her memories to paper. Her notes, which havo been made available for publication, make interesting reading. “We arrived in Woodville in a fourhorse lorry with all our goods and chattels, coming through tho beautiful Forty-Alile Bush,” wrote Airs. Barkwith. “The writer can still hear the locusts chirping —and what a noise they 7 made!—and smell the peculiar and wonderful scents of the bush. The first house we came to —the largest in Woodvillo at that time—-was occupied by Air. Henry Hawkins. His blacksmith shop was nearby, where Boyd’s forge now ? stands. There was a small house opposite, burnt down long since. A little further on was the Club Hotel, occupied by Air. J. J. Murphy and his wife, j Wo went on to the Methodist Church Hill; looking down the other side, we saw what looked like a sea of fire. Logs were burning on the roadsides as far as we could see in the dusk. The hill has since been lowered and what was then the one and only church enlarged, and it is still a landmark in the district. Growth of Churches “The Anglicans and Presbyterians held services in the day school on alternate Sundays. Rev. Air. Robcrtshaw, vof Dannevirke, used to drive through in a buggy and pair, or ride, and conduct services in his riding breeches and leggings. After a time our little Anglican Church was built on I tho Palmerston Road opposite where the * Coronation Baths are situated. The 1 section was given by Mr. Thos. Tanner. I All worked very hard to get the church I built, especially Rev. Air. Robertshaw, who arranged working bees and worked like a Trojan, even digging post-holes. We had no resident clergyman for some long time There was no footpath down to the church and in winter we had to plough our way through a sea of mud up to our ankles. Our feet being so heavily weighted, we were not quite blown away by the winds from the Gorge. About this timo the Ladies’ Guild began its good work, raising funds and helping generally through the years. After a time (in 3901) it was decided to move the church to its presont site, as being more central. ■ During its removal and rebuilding, services were held in the big room at the back of the drill shed.” After giving details of the many handsome additions to tho church, the writer continues: “Our little church will compare favourably with auy church in any country town in New Zealand. The Presbyterians were not far behind in getting their eosy little church built at the top end of Ormond Street. It soon had to be enlarged, but still proved too small. Finally, they 1 built the handsome, commodious build- [ ing in McLean Street, with manse adjoining. We must not forget the Salvation Army, which had a very small and difficult beginning here, but worked hard in all weathers until they became what they are to-day—an cxamplo of energy and perseverance. Where tho Catholic Church is now situated was all in standing bush. They were not long in getting tlicir church built. Early Entertainments “At the timo of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee a number of ladies of all denominations formed the Ladies’ Jubilee Benevolent Society to help the poor and destitute of the district. There were a great many distressed families | in Woodville at that time. The ladies collected, organised entertainments, and realised a good sum, which the Government subsidised. Alcmbers visited and helped poor families for miles around, distributing clothing and necessaries, and paying rent in the caso of widows, there being no pensions in those days. On the Queen’s Birthday (May 24) the ladies always had ail entertainmont in tho drill shed which, with balls and concerts, was very popular. With tho money so raised and members’ subscriptions, the society always had plenty of funds to carry on its work. Ultimately, there being no more poverty, tho society disbanded, the small surplus being invested in two trustees and used for any special or needy cases. First Post Office “The Post Office in those early days was an iron building of four or five rooms, and ono had to scramble over broken bricks and stones to get into it. The writer does not remember how long it remained in that state. The first postmaster was the late Mr. Joseph Motley, who was also the first police constable. Later he was Mayor for a time. Opposite the Post Office was a store and dwelling built and occupied tty Captain Thomas Aloore, who was in charge of the Volunteers. The first

V time we heard the ‘Dead March' played in Woodvillc was at Captain Moore’s funeral. Further down the street was W. M. Horne’s blacksmith shop. On the opposite corner was a boardinghouse with shops adjoining, built by Mr. Joseph Sowry, afterwards Mayor. The boarding-house has * blossomed ’ into the Central Hotel. A little further down was the Abcrcorn Arms, with a 'handsome theatre adjoining, which were, unfortunately, destroyed by lire later. The Masonie Hotel and the Examiner building were built on their ashes. A Growing Township | “Shops and hotels sprang up quickly after this: an hotel called The Star was ejected by Alexander Sandcl almost opposite where the Council Chambers now stand. The present Post Office Hotel was a boarding-house at that time. Then the Commercial Hotel was built for the convenience of railway travellers. After this Woodville advanced by leaps and bounds. The beautiful Square was given to the town by Mr. Thomas i’ountaine, sometimes called the ‘Father of Woodville.* He was one of the earliest pioneers, and the Square is named after him. Everything possible has been done in providing for sport and pleasure. There are the Eecreation Ground, bowling green, croquet lawns, tennis courts, and the Domain for picnic parties. The I cosy little church at the top of Ormond Street has been converted into an up-tO-dato Soldiers’ Club. The children arc especially catered for with a football field, tennis court and up-to-date playgrounds set amid lovely gardens and shady trees.** After further reference to the amen- ; ities of the town at the time of writing, i Mrs. Bark with concludes: “Our lives i have indeed fallen in plcusant places, i The people of Woodville, old and young, l certainly have cause to congratulate i themselves on the progress made during ; the years.**