OLD MASTERTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1943, Page 4

OLD MASTERTON

MANY MEMORIES RECALLED BY NEWSPAPER OF 1875 THE “WAIRARAPA NEWS” (By A. H. Vile). The passing of another milestone in the history of the world will be an occasion for meditation and reflection on the part of those who have lived for many years in these favoured isles of the southern-'seas. It will bring back stirring memories of the good old days, when nations and men lived in amity side by side, and the rush and bustje of modern civilisation were unknown quantities. Before me lies a copy of the “Wairarapa News,” a triweekly journal published in Masterton in 1875 by Messrs M. F. O’Meara and William H. Smith, both of whom have long since passed to the bourne from whence there is no return. From this journal a whole host of memories, good, bad, and indifferent, are revived, and one who has negotiated the rugged highway of existence during the period that has elapsed from 1875 until now, and who has kept in close touch with Dominion development, must marvel at the transition that has taken place in the intervening years. It may be interesting to note that one of the proprietors of the “News"—Mr W. H. Smith —went quite a long way in journalism after he departed from Masterton and gave way to the “Wairarapa Daily,” established a year or two later by the late Mr Joseph Payton. Mr Smith, who died only a few years ago, became the successful editor and manager of. the "Manawatu Times” and the “Rangitikei Advocate,” both of which journals flourished exceedingly under his able control.

MASTERTON IN 1875 But what of Masterton? Who were its leading citizens and traders in 1875? And what were the prospects held out in those days for civic development? The columns of the “News" speak eloquently. Cobb and Company’s “Telegraph line of Royal Mail coaches,” then owned by Mr W. R. Hastwell, ran daily between Masterton and Lower Hutt, the terminus of the railway from Wellington. The fares were 20s per passenger each way, “free of all tolls.” In those days there were several tollgates on the highway between Masterton and Wellington, so that the fare could not be regarded as exorbitant. On the death of Mr Hastwell, who lived at Greytown, the line of coaches was taken, over by Mr James Macara, who ran them successfully for many years.

There were two hotels in Masterton in 1875. One—the Club Hotel (now the Midland)—was conducted by Mr Henry Bannister, who became one of the first Borough Councillors when the town was converted into a borough two years later. The other, the Sir George Grey Hotel, was so named because the then Governor made it his stopping place when visiting the town. It was conducted by Mr Edward Braggins, who was a clarionette player of no mean repute, and was largely responsible for the formation of the first brass band. The name of the hotel was later changed, at the request, it is said, of those in authority, and it was known as the “Royal.” It stood on the site now occupied by St. Bride’s Convent. The Club Hotel livery and bait stables were conducted by Mr Tom McCarthy, who was quite a popular figure in the town. Mr William Lowes, who in later years became Mayor, and was founder of the auctioneering firm of Lowes & lorns, was advertised as “Saddler, etc.” Another saddler was Mr R. G. Williams, who became the first Mayor. One of the first councillors was also Mr Edwin Feist, who Was at this time trading as a general storekeeper. His was a life of useful public service, particularly in the cause of education. H. Bentley and Son were prominent “grocers, drapers and general dealers, and they also announced that they were “licensed dealers in arms and ammunition,” so that in those far-off days there was something—probably the destruction of wild pigeons, kaka, and wild pig—offering for the sportsman.

EARLY DAY TRADERS Mr Joseph lorns, who subsequently became one of the most popular auctioneers in the district, who was advertised as'a “wholesale and retail importer,” announced that he would shortly be opening in his new store in Main Street. (This was the name of the chief thoroughfare before it was changed, to Queen Street). Mr M. Caselberg, whose business was converted into the W.F.C.A., and who rendered useful service to the town in the capacity of Mayor, was advertised as a “wholesale and retail storekeeper,” with stores at Masterton and Greytown. Incidentally, it may be remarked that the marriage of Mr D. M. Mclntosh to Miss Margaret Townsend is announced in the copy of the “News” ‘tinder review. Mr Mclntosh was accountant for Mr Caselberg, and was later for many years secretary to the W.F.C.A. An interesting land agent in the town was Mr W. S. Forbes, who afterwards became Sir William Stuart Forbes, Bart.

Other businesses in existence, and which were advertised, were as follow: —John Greaves, painter and decorator (who had but one arm); Thomas Thompson, fancy goods; Flans Svendsen, cabinetmaker; William Alexander, builder; R. B. Mitchell, builder; James Russell, architect; G. Dixon, blacksmith; J. Harrison & Co., builders; William Chamberlain, butcher; Walter Perry, butcher; Frank Harrison, carrier; E. S. Richards, photographer; James Wrigley, boot and shoemaker; Edmondson, Sellar, and lorns, auctioneers; A. Coppins, boot and shoe warehouse; Godfrey Russell, builder; W. H. Skeet, chemist; Mrs Ewington, Argyll boarding-house; James Thompson, baker; N. H. Bowry, sawmiller; Mrs Moody,.restaurant; D. Pickering, plumber; Richard Woodham, sweep; McGregor Bros., sawmillers; W. W. McCardle, nurseryman; Dr W. H. Hosking, “surgeon and physician accoucheur”; Burnett and Quain, sawmillers. In introducing'Mr W. W. McCardle to the district, the “News” said: “Our readers will be glad to notice the arrival among us of Mr W. W. McCardle, of Dunedin, who for the last six years has carried off the largest number of prizes at the Otago Horticultural Society’s shows.” Mr McCardle became one of the members of the first Borough Council. He later became interested in general politics, and unsuccessfully contested the Masterton seat with Mr George Beetham. He was called to the Legislative Council after farming in the north. One of his sons

(William) was for a period Mayor of Pahiatua. LOCAL BODIES The Masterton Highway Board, at this period, had control of the district highways, and a local board had been formed to manage the affairs of Masterton. A meeting of the Upper Wairarapa Licensing Bench, presided over by Mr H. S. Wardell, renewed a licence for the Taratahi Hotel to Mr T. Ray, but refused a licence for an accommodation house near the Waingawa River. A licence was granted Mr James Harvey for the Travellers’ Rest at Opaki, but an application by Mr Burnett for a licence for the Tavern Hotel was suspended for a month. In the same paper it was announced that the tender of Messrs Coker and Mills had been accepted for papering the Club Hotel. Fencing wire was advertised for sale at £3l per ton. In a gardening calendar, special directions were given as to the methods to be adopted for growing asparagus.

INFLUENZA & AUSTERITY It is somewhat of a coincidence that as far back as 1875 influenza was rife in many parts of the world, as it appears to be today. The “News” published an extract from the “Scientific American,” in which it was declared that the consumption of raw onions rendered people immune from influenza. The same paper told of a toothsome delicacy being made by boiling old boots in soda and extracting a gelatinous substance. An excellent imitation coffee was also obtained by treating old linen shirts with nitric acid. This produced glucose, or grape sugar, which, when roasted, resembled coffee. In days of austerity, such as the present, these suggestions may possess more than a historic interest.

An extract from the “Otago Witness” tells of the dearth of domestic servants in the Old Country. A despairing mistress advertised in the “Newcastle Journal” as follows: “Maid servant wanted; liberal wages, and the work done by the mistress.” Masterton thoroughfares in 1875 were not the models they are today, for the “News” said: “Great complaints are made’ respecting the state of the Masterton road at present, which is one of mud and slush.” Other items in the paper tell of the arrival of the mail steamer Brisbane at Townsville with Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of Fiji, aboard; also 340 Chinese. The new screw steamer Hawea was to be despatched from Glasgow to Otago. The fares were: First cabin, 50gns; second cabin, 25gns. The s.s. Taupo, of 720 tons gross measurement, was to follow. The following marine notice is quoted from a New York paper, which shows that the sense of humour was not lacking seventy years ago: “The schooner Albatross was wrecked on the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th inst., the captain swimming ashore and the female cook also, she being insured for 15,000 dollars and heavily laden with iron.”

The Presbyterian Church was well founded by 1875 and a congregational meeting was called at which the Rev J. Patterson, of Wellington, was to deliver an address on “Oliver Cromwell.” This was, perhaps, not quite as attractive a subject as that of a later pastor who advertised that he would lecture upon the subject of “Fools.” A local paper quite innocently reported: “There was a large number present.”