MASTERTON IN 1869

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 August 1938, Page 6

MASTERTON IN 1869

MR CHARLES BANNISTER’S REMINISCENCES BUILDINGS IN QUEEN STREET. SURVEY FROM WAIPOUA RIVER TO KURIPUNI. Mr Charles Bannister, a wellknown resident of Masterton, has undertaken to write a series of articles, specially for the “Wairarapa Times-Age,” on the early days of Masterton and district. In the first article which appears below Mr Bannister gives an interesting survey of Masterton in 1869, as he remembers it.

“Starting at the Waipoua River crossing (there was no bridge at that time) and going south, taking the houses on the left hand side, the first was Mr Robert Hare’s store. This was about half-way between the river and where the State Picture Theatre is now. It stood about a chain back from Queen Street or Bridge Street, as it was called then, on account of so many streams crossing it. Then came a three-acre paddock in wheat. This was cut in one day with a cradle. 1 don’t mean one of those fancy wickerwork things that you work with your foot and sing ‘Hushabye Baby.’ The cradle that Mr Day used was> a scythe, only it had a longer blade, with fingers attached to it to keep the corn straight, so that it could be easily tied. Continuing, the next building was St. Matthew's Church. Next came a small building erected by that grand old man, the late Mr James McGregor. It was used as a meeting place and Sunday School. After this came Mr F. Gray’s blacksmith’s shop. Further down the street, was Bannister and Cave’s Carrying Co. stables. These stables stood on the site now occupied by Mr Adcock’s shop ; and the Cosy Theatre. Bannister Street was not opened in those days. The stables comprised a large building facing Bridge Street, with a pump and watering trough in front and on top of the stable was a large loft for storing horse feed. In this loft was a chaffcutter, als<\a crusher for crushing all the corn used for feed, such as peas and maize. The power used was a two-horse merry-go-round. Behind the stables was a big lean-to. This was used for storing corn and when empty it was often used for entertainments, such as Volunteer dinners, harvest homes and such like. On the east side was a large hay shed, and behind this were cowbails and two large cattle yards for drafting cattle and working bullocks. These yards were built with four rails and a cap. The bottom rail was two feet from the ground, so as to allow a person a good get-away when charged by a bad-tempered animal. This way was easier than trying to climb the fence and getting helped over. THE FIRST HOTEL. “Further down the road was Mr J. Tuck’s Prince of Wales Hotel, the first hotel in Masterton. After that was Mr A. W. Cave’s cottage where the Wairarapa Seed Company’s shop is now located. Then came Bannister’s orchard. This was an acre in area, fenced with a hawthorn hedge layered two ways. This was done by an old English hedger. It was a good fence, practically boy proof. I know, because I tried to get in. The next on the list was Mr Walter Perry’s butcher’s shop. As this shop was over a gully it had to be built on high piles. Mr Perry had his slaughter house at the back of his section. He shot his cattle with a rifle and made a good job of it, fairly in the curl every time. After this was the Scottish Church. Then came Mr W. Greathead’s house and blacksmith’s shop. Mr Renall’s mill was next. The old mill wheel and the flour mill were a very old landmark. The last on that side was Mr Michael Dixon’s house at Kuripuni. “Turning here to the west side of Bridge Street, there was a building in which a Mr Chisholm lived. Then came Mr R. Woodham’s house, Captain Ned Jones’s hotel, ‘Sir George Grey’s’or the ’Top House' as it was called. Then came Ned Jones’s house, the old bakery. Over the creek was Mr Feist’s store and a meeting institute, where tea meetings, prayer meetings and Blue' Ribbon meetings were held. After this was Mr Morris’s boot shop on Renall Street corner. On the opposite corner was Mr Firth’s house. Mrs Winteringham had a cottage in Renall Street. This was the only house in Renall Street at that time. After Mr Firth’s house came Mr James Wrigley’s boot shop, then Mr H. Cole, hairdresser, milk vendor and seller of ginger ale—a good combination. IDENTIFYING LAMBS. “Then came Bannister’s woolshed and sheep yards. This was opposite the site now occupied by the Prince of Wales Hotel. About 800 sheep used to be shorn in this shed every year. The Maoris from Te Ore Ore used to drive their sheep to this place and it was fun to see them identifying their own lambs. They used all different sorts of colouring and this they rubbed on the udder of the ewes. After the lambs had had a suck the owner of that colour caught his lamb and put his earmark on jt. Further along was Bannister’s store and Post Office, where Messrs C. Smith’S building now stands. Mrs A. McKenzie’s was next, then the courthouse on the same section as that on which is the present f’ost Office. There was only a small building between Hall Street and the Waipoua River. This belonged to another Mr McKenzie. ENGLISH PARSONAGE. “Down Church Street on the left' hand side there stood the English Parsonage, built by the Rev. Ronaldson, who was also Native Missionary for the Wairarapa. Then there was Mr F. Gray’s residence and Mr Griffen’s

house. On the other side was Mr Jack Goodchild’s house. This stood where Mr Geo. Hyde’s establishment is now located. Up Hall Street was the old school. It was on the corner section of Hall Street and Chapel Street, on the east side of the Drill Hall. This school was built in 1862. Then came Mr Woodroofe’s Rosetta cottage. A Mr Abbott lived there. On the other side of the road was Ivy Cottage. This was built by Mr Eaton in 1854-1855. It stood facing Hall Street, a few chains back from the road, where Mr Fowler’s house is now located. Sergt. Donnelly of the Police Force, lived there for many years. Of course there were a few settlers on their rural sections such as the Dixons of Worksop Farm, the Bentleys of Lincoln Road, Miss Jeans of Bannister Street and Mrs Hacker of Church Street. These were not considered in the town. Neither Bannister Street nor Worksop Road were opened through at that time. Chapel Street, then called the ‘Back Lane.’ was opened as far as Renall Street and Dixon Street was open from -the Waipoua River to Work Sop ttoad.”