Old-time Echoes

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 6, 6 May 1893, Page 4

Old-time Echoes

The Wakatipu Mail some time ago published a very readable series of articles on Queenstown a quarter of a century ago, and from them wo make the following extracts of interest to old identity readers :

It was about April or May, 1803, that the Provincial Government of Southland detei’mined it was highly necessary in the interest of Invercargill and people that she should be represented at Queenstown. They therefore proceeded to erect sumptuous premises (a building 12ft. by 24ft.) of calico, lined with green baize, and a “ boarded floor,” divided in the centre, one half for the Southland agent and office, the other half for his private apartments. A less pretentious structure was erected behind tins as quarters for two orderlies, and a further addition did duty as storehouse and kitchen.

But the great feature of that camp was a gigantic iron safe, for stowing and securing •ihe expected gold that might await transmission to the metropolis of the sunny south. Thatcher seized upon the safe for one of his locals, and accused the agent, Mr. Jackson, a very fine fellow, of storing potatoes in it, Ac. Jackson met Thatcher in the street a day or two after said the local song hud been sung and caned him. Another local and court case. Then a local about Jackson pretending to take gold to Invercargill by a sham escort. The refrain of one of these songs rim thus : They arrived on that day—the escort and he — And all thought he brought lots of riches ; Bat the only things there,

To guard with such care, w ere his boots and liis two pairs of breeches.

Commercial men will be interested in the following quotations : —Carey and Gillies, of Invercargill, report:—Light hacks worth £35 to £65; heavy draughts, £95 to £100; working bullocks, £65 the pair; quiet cows, £l6 to £25; fat cattle, 70s per 1001 b; tat wethers, 40a to 455; no supply. Store sheep, 26s to 28a for imported, but at time of the year there are no shipments. —Queenstown stores report: —Flour, £52 per ton —7d per lb retail; tea, £7 the half-chest —4s per lb ; sugar, Is 2d to Is 4d; coffee, 3s ; bacon, 2s 6d ; oats, 30s to 345; potatoes, 7d to .9d; brandy, 35s ; whisky, 24s also a notice that the now Invercargill ale could be bought.

A few months after the diggings broke out Capt. Howell opened a butcher’s shop at [Kingston, and reduced the price of meat to Is per lb. This was considered quite a boon, although being so far distant Queenstown was deprived of a great portion of the benefit.