igjjilii^

FIRST SERIE

m, l^i«- -sis" il$V(f "}jS"*jS' ->(\> -si? %» «:.(> ii? '«i?»4^ "»W

•MS"

^fftORV^S OF |
'¦ m. i *">*?

*

¦

^4,?^'^'^I§fc *"Si$* ^* ^^^'i'? ^A?^^ f^^tfo 'Stfe-ifa *#iS^

-^*

^/f"^
%?
.?,»«,

The Pi&t.

vi\- = i
*"•>«• £¥££,r^k^*'^k£lk£,k^-k£,k^kMk£llk£',-k -'St
^i^?W%i«' *Sj*° -^«J> ¦»£«¦ "Ji? "?!<"• ">j»» *s»i* *}&- *2(te* »>(V ^i? ! =_,

AUCKLAND, FROM 1847

1
¦ g-
Ml

AN OLD HANI).

III

Ii

Ji:,*.* .A.*.* . *.* % ii ,*. it.* . i* „ * jijr ip; ifji .lif ;i> gfr ii

NIP P JB. JG JC A C JK » ^^
C«,  ......   ...gMZS

-e=&jg&3^Ff^

|SHE Sketches now presented to the public appeared a year or
^gjpf two since in the columns of the "New Zealand Herald."'
Under the belief that " Memoeies of the Past" may be
acceptable to old friends, and to my fellow colonists, I now publish
them in pamphlet form. I hope ou some future occasion to be able
to add thereto other memories of ' ' early days ' ' in this city.
OLD HAND.

MEMORIES OF THE PAST,
AUCKLAND FROM 1847.
[by an old hand.]

LEFT London at the latter part of the year
1847 in an old East Indian ship, and, after
a long passage of only five months, reached
Sj'dney. Fancy five months on the voy a ge .
Why, one can go to London nowadays, and
spend a month or two, and be back in
'Auckland in less time. The principal busi
ness premises in Lower George Street,
Sydney, near the water, are now occupied
by the Chinese and traders dependant on the shipping
business, and the present fine buildings were unknown and
undreamt of. After waiting some time in Sydney for a
vessel to transport goods into, for ships direct to Auckland
were unknown, and freight in those times was obtainable
for 20s. per ton, we left in a small topsail schooner loaded
with horses. The accommodation of thjs vessel was so
small for passengers that one lady had to ask our permission
to dress in the cabin ! — they wore crinolines in those days,
now, happily, a thing of the past. Our captain' was a
veritable salt, who disdained when on duty, to wear boots
and stockings, and used a considerable number of big, big-
D's with very little ceremony. After a tempestuous passage
of some ten days, in which I saw a rougher sea than I saw
ooming from England, even round the Cape, we reached
Auckland, and anchored inside the harbour, just' opposite
the present Devonport Wharf.

t> MEMORIES OP THE PAST.
HOW AUCKLAND THEN LOOKED.
No wharves, or even houses, with one or two
exceptions were to be seen ; and indeed, few buildings in
the city of Auckland and its suburbs were perceptible.
Boats did not ply, and we had to hoist a flag to obtain one
to go ashore. We landed at a little wooden wharf, about
where the Custom House now stands. Plenty of natives
were to be seen, attired only in a blanket, and I recollect
being astonished at their physique and the ease with which
one of them shouldered my box and carried it into a
friend's store for a very trifling payment. The main
business street was Shortland Crescent, now called Short-
land Street, and the building known as Brown and
Campbell's store was then in course of erection. The
main entrance from the harbour was up a private lane
owned by Messrs. Williamson and Crummer, at one corner
of which stood the Yictoria Hotel, and on the other a store
occupied by Mr. Owen. Queen Street was almost unbuilt
upon, and there were scarcely any buildings beyond Wynd-
ham Street, at the corner of which stood the bakery of Mr.
L Groodf ellow. A boat could at high tide be taken up to this
store ; indeed I once nearly lost the number of my mess
where the Colonial Bank now stands. The rotten planks
which covered the creek giving way, I did not fall through,
for, if I had, I should certainly have been washed out to
sea, as it was a stormy, rainy night, and there were no
persons about. Fortunately the hole was not big enough
to take my arms through. I got a great shock, but I
remember I thought that even better than stopping in a
big auction store all night with legions of rats. The
Maoris used to sing and chant half the night through in
their tents and boats on the beach opposite. The towns
people depended mainly on the natives for their supply of
potatoes, onions, fish, fruit, &c, and these things were
very cheap indeed. I have a lively recollection of my first

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. /
venture in a good feed of peaches. Having purchased a
large kit for sixpence — holding probably near fifty ; I had
rarely seen them under sixpence each at home — I took them
to my room, and, in spite of my landlady's advice to be
careful in not eating too many, I polished off the lot ! with
the result that I had to keep to my room for a week.
THE INNOCENT NATIVES.
My first employer did not think I was sharp enough
in selling the natives one quality of blanket and tying up
another, or in dropping a few sticks of tobacco behind the
counter as they were rolled up, or "make a tie," as the
Maoris used to say. Those were the palmy days, when
some innocent natives were known to put the money down
on the counter, and tell you to take payment. That they
did not know how to count is certain, for in selling tobacco
(negrohead) we used to lay down the shilling's worth in
rows, and they would place the coins alongside each bundle.
M  , the ironmonger, used to, or was said to, lock
the Maoris in his store until they did shell out ! He used
to sell tin tacks by the dozen. K  used to feed up
the natives with buns, &c, and wisely made money while
the sun shone. I first opened -a small store with a stock
valued probably at £20— most of that bought on credit.
I recollect one morning taking a pound before breakfast of
a master of a coasting vessel, and going over to a neighbour
(Mackenzie, the druggist; I think our only one in those
days), and telling him of my luck. He exclaimed, "Eh,
mon, ye'll make your fortune!" It was only when the
natives were about or came up in their canoes that any
business was apparently being done. Blankets, grey sheets,
Maori roundabouts for the women, made of gay-coloured
prints, immense clay pipes (holding about two ounces of
tobacco), cloth caps, and jews-harps were the principal trade.
1 well recollect one of the old storekeepers (a well known

8 MEMORIES OP THE PAST.
Jew), who was a tailor, and used to make caps out of old
coat-tails, la militaire, for the Maori bucks, and got a pound
each for them; often the natives waited while he made
them. Having but a small stock, and being in the vicinity
of several large stores, and being enabled to get to Shortland
Street through a cellar, I used to practice a ruse, not un
known even in the present day. I had a large key hanging
up, aDd, when I had not the article wanted, I replied, "I
may have it in the store;" and, taking my key, started off
to interview my wholesale store— that is, any friend's store
— and returned with the article required. I thought nothing
of bringing home my auction purchases in my own wheel
barrow and wearing a blue serge shirt ; nor do I think
people thought any the worse of me. The man who was
not above doing his own work was reliable in those days, when
the luxuries of promissory notes and insurance were com
paratively unknown. It is true we occasionally had war
alarms, but I do not think the townspeople ever had really
any great fear of the natives. It was the unfortunate
settlers in the country who were to be pitied.
A FRENCH INVASION
It was somewhere about 1850 that we were one day
inundated with a shipload of Erenchmen. A man-o'-war
having been wrecked on the East Coast, the men found
their way speedily to Auckland, where little else but
French was heard during their stay. The Government
found thein in clothing and passages home, the cost of
which the French Government repaid. This was inthedaysof
Louis Phillippe. What changes since then have taken
place in the Government of La Belle France !
JUSTICE.
One day a native stole a hat from the door of my
store, and, being caught red-handed, was taken into

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. V
custody, and I had notice, with my boy assistant, to attend
the Court (held then in a small room in the old Court
house, Queen Street, — now the the site of the City Hall
Theatre). After attending until about 4 p.m. (having to
close my store), and receiving a good bullying from the
Native Protector Mr. M  for swearing to my own
goods, the native was fined double the value of the hat, viz.,
10s. On asking the presiding magistrate (Mr. Thomas
Beckham) if I received tho fine for my expenses for leaving
my business, I was informed, "Oh, no; that goes to the
Government. You get justice." I registered a silent vow
that next time the thief should get a kick, and I would rest
content without justice. The natives were, however, very
intelligent, and on one occasion a native woman came in
and found my shop lad playing with a set of chessmen and
remarked, "You play this f He said, "Oh, yes." She
replied, "So do I; let's play." They did, and, to his
astonishment, she beat him quickly, and he was a very fair
player.
THE AUCTION SALES.
In the early days shipment of goods were usually sold
by auction, and no doubt it was very amusing to the
auctioneer to see the goods run up, as they used to be, to
outrageous prices, 70 to 100 per cent, advance on invoice
cost being not an unusual price for goods, and it was not
difficult for those who were enabled to obtain merchandize
from home to make fortunes, and those who sent the goods
still larger ones ; for it is needless to say the invoices were
often well salted until ad valorem duties were introduced,
when two sets of invoices was the rule. One of our
earliest traders and auctioneers used to have in his room
large empty packing cases, on which were inscribed in
letters the names of certain shop-keepers, in which their
purchases at sales .were thrown, so certain was he of his
sales.

10 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
THE MILITARY ELEMENT.
Those who recollect the early days for a long time
missed the military element that pervaded the community :
the regular night bugles ; the marching of the troops and
the bands every Sunday to church, accompanied by lots of
natives and native women in gay roundabouts ; the " All's
well " of the sentinels at night all round the barrack wall ;
and the bugle alarms of " Fire," with the steady sound of
the troops at the double, inspiring confidence, for there
were no bells or fire brigades. Nor must we' forget the
severe order of "keep off the grass" in the barracks, and
the sentinels stationed to see that you did so.
INCONVENIENCES.
Those who have now their gas and kitchen ranges, gas
lights, and water by turning on a tap, would not have much
liked oil lamps (Hobart Town made lamps were preferred),
with their daily trimming required and repeated breakage
of lamp glasses. Every drop of water had to be drawn
from wells. One eminent M.D., who had a druggist's shop
up some steps where Chapman's shop now stands, had his
well under the counter ! Every bit of fuel had to be cut,
and we had nothing but camp ovens to cook in. Meat was
scarce, except pork. My first meal, I was informed, was
New Zealand mutton ; it was very white, I noticed, and I
found out afterwards that was the name given to pork
Orthodox Hebrews had difficulties to contend with, and
must needs have dubbed the pork mutton, or do without
meat. There were no insolvency laws, and, if you had a
relentless creditor, you would have to stay in t;aol a long
time to work out the debt. Many a fast-living young
fellow had his wings clipped instead of paying 6d. in the
£ and commencing again another chain of debt — as can be
done now. I think the old system made people a little
more cautious, not only those they trusted, but those who
took trust.

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 11
PRIMEVAL SIMPLICITY.
Before 1850 everything in Auckland was in a very
primeval state — no free libraries for young men, no regular
amusement except the billiard-room or the hotel. Very
little sociability existed, but food was cheap, and people
were easily satisfied. The natives parted with the proceeds
of the sales of their land very readily ; indeed, some of them
were at times so ignorant of the respective coins that they
actually could not even count them, or know the difference
between shillings and half-crowns, etc. I need not say
they were easily cheated. But this state of simplicity did
not last very long. They soon learnt to be as cunning as
the Pakeha, as lumps of stone in their kits of gum of
potatoes, and tapering piles of peaches showed the
purchasers. A great deal of mischief was done in this
direction by the importation of " Parkhurst boys," as they
were termed, who were sent out from home from a reforma
tory. They soon found their way to the dwellings of the
Maoris, who were simple and hospitable in those days, and
liked to have a Pakeha in their village. The lazy life suited
some of these reprobates, and they taught the Maoris evil
words and evil actions. A TICKLISH CARGO.
Few young women, either as wives or servants, were
to be obtained, and I well recollect the first shipload of
females coming out. Some of them were respectable, but
others were — well, very " so-so." When the Rev. M  ,
went on board to escort them to their temporary lodgings,
they filed two by two after him and his worthy partner;
but alas ! as they passed the several hotels, various shipmates
and friends hailed them, and one by one they ' dropped in '
just to see how colonial beer tasted, there were such

12 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
conflicting statements abroad, and when the poor old gentle
man turned to look what effect his procession was making
on the citizens the girls had nearly all disappeared, but they
were gathered together once again, and duly lodged in
Hobson Street, which then boasted but very few residences.
Two constables were then placed on guard to prevent the
near approach of the too inflammable young men (who, on
arrival of the ship, had surrounded it at a respectful
distance in all the small boats procurable, until allowed on
board). But, on the head of the police visiting the locality
just to see fahem!) that the men were keeping due guard,
he found they had disappeared inside the building. And, of
course, he could do no less than follow to see where they were.
ON COOKING.
I knew very little of cookery, yet had to cook, and I
well remember my first attempt to fry fish. I scaled the
schnappers, but omitted the trifling necessity of gutting the
fish. Called away to serve a customer, on my return I found
the oil in flames. I had filled the fryingpan with oil (the
stove was an old nail can) so there was nothing for it hut
to throw pan, oil, and fish out of the front door. On another
occasion I thought I would try my hand on a curry, so I got
my saucepan, well filled up with cut meat and potatoes, and
opening a bottle of curry powder, emptied half of it into the
saucepan. Strange to say, it turned out rather too warm
for the palates of my friends who had been invited to'share
the delicious dish with me, and alas ! it followed the fish.
In those days there were no restaurants, and unless you
could afford to pay the charges at the hotels your cooking
was of a very simple character. Many persons kept natives
as cooks, and I recollect one day visiting a friend, who told
me he had some fine soup for dinner, and asked me to stay,
which I did. Strolling about the premises (waiting for
dinner) I found the cook attending the soup, which was

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 13
contained in a three-legged iron pot. The cook was stirring
the soup, and everj' time he drew out the spoon he gave it
a lick. My friend was astonished that I didn't care for
the soup. This was in my " salad " days. I grew to be less
particulas^tfterwards, and learnt to ask no questions, and
to keep out of other people's- kitchens. In after years,
when I kept house and servant — a Maori boy, female
servants being unobtainable — I had to expostulate with
Robert, who was a really good lad, as to why he didn't
wash himself of tener. His reply was characteristic : ' ' Taiho,
Sunday." The natives, particularly the women, were very
anxious to emulate the Pakehas, and would often stop my
wife, and after saluting her would take the liberty of feeling
her dress, and asking "How much?"
ROUGHING IT.
Lengthy passages were the rule in the early times. In
1853 I was 28 days going to Sydney in a brig, and we were
glad to be able to find food from the cargo of potatoes. .
What we should have done but for this cargo I know not,
as usually these traders were not victualled for more than
about 14 days' passage. In 1850 native produce was very
cheap, as much fish as you could well carry for 6d., and
potatoes, onions, peaches, Cape gooseberries were a drug.
The natives were very friendly with the settlers, and wars,
I believe, would never have arisen but for the land quarrels
with the Government. The natives were always very stolid,
and rarely expressed wonder at the Europeans' work ; but
I recollect taking James Tautari (a well known and very
intelligent native trader between Auckland and the Bay of
Islands) to see the railway in Sydney, where he was on a
visit. It was the first in these colonies. He did not say
much beyond " The Pakeha ! the Pakeha !" So little was
known by colonials of the railways that a lady from Auck
land, who was with me waiting while I purchased the

14 MEMORIES OP THE PAST.
tickets, ran down towards the engine, thinking the passen
gers rode on it ! while the servant, who also hailed from
this colony, noticing a piece of paper on the telegraph
wires asked if that was a message going along the line L
Passages to the East Coast were also generally lengthy —
seven days to the Bay of Islands being no unusual trip —
while the cuisine was of a very simple character. Tea in
pannikins, puddings made in the wash-hand bowl, and salt
meat, of a by no means certain age, formed the usual fare.
One old salt who used to trade to the East Coast, Captain
J. (all masters of boats were dubbed captains), was one day
in my store making some purchases when I happened
casually to remark, " Now, you are all right, and will have
a lucky trip." Strange to say after that for years he never
left the harbour without making some small purchase,
however trifling, at my store, with the remark, " Am I all
right for a fair wind and a lucky trip ?"
THE MILITIA.
In the early days of the Maori war some amusing scenes
were beheld, and many who wished to evade or were exempt
from serving in the militia formed themselves into an
" inlying picket " as they called themselves, or, as others
called them, " The lying in picket." They were drilled
regularly in the Albert Barracks ground (now the Albert
Park), finding their own arms. The short, the fat, the thin,
the long — it was laughable to see them drill. And the
volunteers were not so well-off as they are now-a-days.
Drill regularly was held every morning at seven o'clock
— rain, blow, or fine — in the open air, and often did I get
wet through, while many got their death at the same
practice. But to grumble was only to be called a " feather
bed soldier." Many of the young lads, bank clerks, and
others were full of zeal, but lacked physical strength for the
rough work of camp life, and several had to leave camp,

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 15
and some, indeed, lost their lives. Militia duty had to be
.performed by those who were not volunteers, and often
could be seen shopkeepers walked off by the Provost-Marshal
and a file of Militiamen, and kept in durance vile for the-
night, until they explained to the Military Court the next
morning the cause of their non-appearence.
BECOMING SOPHISTICATED.
The natives soon lost all their innocence, and were apt.
pupils of the roguish elements in the Europeans. Publicans
and others were prohibited from selling them grog, and
part of the fine, if not the whole, went to the informer^
The natives sought to entrap shopkeepers and others by
seeking to get them to buy for them a bottle of rum or beer,
and several practical jokes were played on them by selling
them bottles of oil or kerosine at 5s. per bottle, carefully
sealed, with which they at once rushed to the police s.tation,
only to find that they were sold ! But all such verdant bloom
has long since been rubbed away.
NOT BY DOUBLE ENTRY.
Book-keeping in early days was occasionally somewhat
simple, as what follows will indicate. J  H  kept a
general store near Smale's Point in about 1850. His ideas
on book-keeping were somewhat hazy — in fact, his education
had, shall we say, been somewhat neglected. His books
were kept not by double entry, but by hieroglyphics. On
one occasion, failing to get payment from an irate customer
for a cheese he had sold him, he issued a summons, and had
to produce his account- book in Court, when lo! a peculiar
figure and a drawing of a cheese represented the debit entry.
The defendant, being asked what he had to say on the claim,
replied, "I never bought a cheese, but I recollect buying a
grindstone once." " Dash it !" replied J — H — , " I forgot
to make the hole in the confounded thing!"

16 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
NOTHING IP NOT PARTICULAR.
Poor old Dr.  was a well-known character in
Auckland in the early days. Being poor, he used to effect
his own purchases, and always carried a carpet bag to
bring home his two or three pounds of chops or loaves of
bread. On one occasion, attending at my house, he asked
for a silver spoon,' if we had such a thing. On being
supplied he replied : "I need not have asked for a silver
one, knowing full well I should get nothing else. My
children would sooner eat bread and cheese than have
meat, if they could not have silver forks." Alas, I fear,
it was little silver or gold they possessed. On another
occasion he requested the loan of a pocket handkerchief,
and omitting to return it, was gently reminded. It was
then returned, washed and highly perfumed. On this
remarked, he replied: "Oh, our laundress always per
fumes all our linen." As a matter of fact their washing
was done by his family.
THE MAORIS.
There used to be a notice up in Maori in the Govern
ment House grounds that no natives would be allowed in
the town without trousers, but the natives did not take
much heed, and often on very windy days on the hilly
streets, if you met a native in his blanket or Maori mat,
there was more seen of him than was required, and
although they were fond of dressing like Europeans, and
putting on boots (like a cat in walnut shells), no sooner
were they out of the town than off came the boots.
CHEAP LUNCHEONS.
One Thompson, who kept an hotel in High Street,
used to advertise a lunch off the joint and a glass of beer

MEMORIES OP THE PAST. 17"
for a shilling, but one man known as " Long C 

the bailiff," came along one day, and sat down alone to-
lunch, but when he was gone so was the best part of a
leg of mutton, a bottle of pickles, and a loaf of bread.
Thompson gave up lunches for a shilling off the joint-
after that. PATRIOTIC BAZAAR.
How many of us recollect the Patriotic Bazaar, held
in the Oddfellows' Hall in Queen Street, now shops, just
after the Russian war ? Over a thousand pounds were
taken. My wife had a stall with another lady, and took
some £128. They had drawings for prizes numbered 5s.
each, and, when doubtful, used to produce an egg, as a
veritable Cochin China, as the 5s. prize. But money was
plentiful in those times, and people were liberal. One-
gentleman, a Mr. K  , from Taranaki, was so-
pleased with the bazaar that he got up in the gallery and
made a long speech, presenting the bazaar with a horse.
The late Mrs. Whitaker and others were the moving spirits
in this enterprise, which was for the widows and orphans
of those who fell in this war in 1853.
THE BATHING MAN.
There used to be, what even now, after 25 years, we
cannot boast of having — bathing machines in Official Bay,
upon the present road site. On one occasion a lady was
taken out by the man in charge, who was a thirsty soul,
with a red nose (these were the days before Salvation
Armies were known). After he left the machine — I pre
sume he left for the nearest pub. to get a few more
" quenchers." Anyway he forgot the lady, and as the
tide came in she become somewhat alarmed, and could
be seen frantically waving — well — a handkerchief.
Fortunately the boatman's better haK (by several

18 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
Lundredweight) came round to look for her good man,
and saw the signals, and lost no time in turning out the
horse and bringing in the lady. This same man, who had
purchased out the original proprietor (the latter having
issued quarterly tickets payable in advance), of which he
did not seem to be aware, called one day on a lady in one
of our leading streets for the fees he considered due to
him, and, being slightly elevated, was not satisfied with
the explanation given, and to give emphasis to his
demands, stood at the door loudly exclaiming, " Didn't
I bathe you five times ?" to the great horror of the lady
and amusement of the listeners.
MR. NATHAN'S NEW STORES.
The late Mr. David Nathan gave a grand ball in his
new store, built in 1853, to which all the elite were invited.
It was a capital affair, and I recollect Dr. Fischer appear
ing in a dress suit made of white linen, and very nice and
sensible it looked. Poor Hansard, known as the " Dying
Schnapper," was there, and his wife and a host of others
who, alas, with the genial host and his first wife, have now
joined the great majority. I recollect it was long after
daylight when it broke up, and as there were no cabs or
omnibuses, we looked rather dissipated in our ruffled evening
dress and tired appearance wending homeward. I think
folks took things considerably easier in oldtimes. There
was not quite so much a fight for a living.
THE' PAST.
Freeman's Bay was a great place for saw-pits, and was
quite a country walk in 1853, with Bond's gardens, now
nearly covered with buildings, but where wheat could be
seen growing. Gundry's garden in Albert Street was famous
for its fruit. The old prison and yards could be overlooked
from near the top of Victoria Street, while the Police Court

MEMORIES. OF THE PAST. 19
was to be found in a small room, fronting Queen Street, that
did not hold over twenty or thirty people, and that great
terror of evil-doers, Captain Beckham, R.M., used to dispense
justice with no sparing hand. Who does not remember his
fierce mustachios, which suddenly one day, however, dis
appeared ! And alas, the secret was out, his lady love
disapproved of them (probably they were not soothing), and
they vanished to appear no more. Poor Beckham ! How
he used to make the timid witnesses tremble, and how the
defendants used to hope that he was not suffering from a bili
ous attack, and had had a good time of it at breakfast. These
matters make a great difference even to the most upright
judge. Poor Burn, a well known journalist, used to call
out when Capt. Beckham spoke at any entertainment, " The
just judge !" until he quarreled with him on some occasion,
and we heard no more of such cries. But, according to his
light, he did the State good service in his time.
MAORIS LEARNING CIVILISATION.
The natives used to be available for work, such as
chopping wood, carrying, &c, but often acted very foolishly,
for they would agree to cut a lot of wood for a specified
sum, and often, when half-way through their work, would
throw down the axe or saw and run away — very unlike
their European compeers. Upon one occasion a lady
engaged a Maori to cut a ton of wood. He was loaded
with parcels when he came, which he laid down in the
yard, and then coolly proceeded to put his arm round her.
Much alarmed, and there being nobody within hearing, she
at once proceeded to throw all his parcels outside the gate ;
he followed, and she locked him out. They were very fond
of offering themselves as cokees, or cooks, with a know
ledge of cooking equal to a baby. But one part they could
do well, and that was the eating, not only the remains, but

20 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
all they could steal, a couple or three loaves, with trim
mings, being no unusual meal for a Maori boy. Fond as
they are of sweets and such things they could rarely
purchase them, reserving their money for simpler objects.
I had one who was a very good fellow, and allowed his
uncles, his cousins, and his aunts to come down with a rush
on a visit occasionally and despoil him of . all his pay.
When dressed on Sundays, with a Manilla hat and trailing
ribbons, and clothes a la Pakeha, he would stand in the
yard strutting about and admiring himself for hours
together. The natives were always fond of animals, but failed
to feed them properly, so that their ill-fed dogs rarely or
ever tasted meat, and you could often see native women
cuddling a pet pig. It was said they nursed them
occasionally when the mother had been put in the oven
for "kai."
EARLY LARRIKINISM.
At one time, I recollect, we had a lot of what may be
termed upper crust larrikinism rampant, that sought to
equal "Tom and Jerry in London." Knockers were torn
off (where they existed), bells rung, door mats removed, and
from Newman and Ewen's, at the top of Shortland Street,
a large cask of chinaware was coolly rolled down the hill
opposite. Fortunately it had some check in the way, or it
would have burst in the side of the house, and probably
killed some one. This last horse joke put our police on their
mettle, and the little game was stopped. I recollect one of
their tricks was to remove an old board marked, ftjr "To
the Cemetery," and place it in Dr. Fischer's grounds, point
ing to his residence. EIRES.
We had few fires in old times. There were few
insurance offices, if any, and probably that was one of the

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 21
causes of the fewness in number of the fires. But when we
did have them they were generally pretty severe, such as
the Government House fire, W. S. Grahame's in Fort Street
(any amount of drink knocking about), the fire in High
Street, and one or two large fires in Queen Street later.
OLD LAND MARKS.
The old Victoria Hotel, corner of what used to be
known as Victoria Lane, where the present Town Clerk
had a large store for many years, and also the Caledonia,
further on in Fort Street, were favourite houses ; and the
Wharf or the Victoria was, for many years, with Britomart
Point and Grahame's wood wharf, opposite his store, the
only landing places for passengers. Goods used to be
landed in open cargo boats, the carts going alongside at low
tide, and it used to be said that one well known shipowner
and importer always managed to get his goods landed first.
If a north-easter happened to come on while the vessel was
discharging, so much the worse for the consignees, but all
the better for the ship owner. He would have got his goods
stored, and most likely sold.
What a host of well-known identities used to patronise
the old Victoria for their daily drop of whiskey ! Many of
these men were the founders of this town ; men whose word
was their bond, and who were ever ready to help a neigh
bour or to foster an industry or develope our resources.
EARLY EFFORTS.
In the early days our fellow-townsmen were very
liberal in endeavouring to foster local industries and
develope our resources. I may recall to memory the flax
•companies and steam-packet companies. Our first steamer
was not a very large one ; it was built and owned by the
late Mr. 0. J. Stone. It used to run to the Tamaki, and

22 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
often her passenger list comprised one man and a cheese,
or one boy and a bag of potatoes. After we got more
aspiring we had the Wonga Wonga, which used to run to
Northern ports ; and then we purchased a half-share of the
William Denny, a large steamer trading to Sydney. She
soon, however, left her bones on the North Cape, and with
it the cash of the investors. I took passage with her on
her first trip, and we were only nine days, which was con
sidered a great feat, although Mr. W. S. Grahame's vessels
used to make rapid runs down_to New Zealand owing to
the prevalence of westerly winds. But the up trips usually.
took an average of fourteen days.
OLD IDENTITIES.
How many, alas, of the pioneers of this city have
crossed the Styx ! Let us enumerate a few for the sake
of auld lang syne. The democratic but impulsive Make
peace ; canny Alexander Black; little Coolahan, the
enthusiastic Irishman; and friend Mitchell, the Scotch
Jew ; the suave Col. Mould, R.A. ; genial Major-General
Pitt ; Colonial-Treasurer Shepherd, who used to bathe all
the year round off the top rail of Wynyard Pier back
wards, until he did so once too often, on a very cold day ;
"Polly Plum," the servants' friend; stout and sturdy
Macreadj', the civic ruler ; George, the baker, and steady
henchman to Macready, and friend to all good Scotchmen ;
Strange, of Parnell, and his closet grievances ; irrepressible
Nicholl, of the Masonic Hotel ; Southwell, editor of the
Examiner ; David Burn, and his pet dogs ; Forsaith, of
the Clean-shirt Ministry, and now a clergyman; Mr.
Young, the Collector of Customs, The two latter are, I
am glad to say, yet living; and in congratulating the
latter on seeing him so well and looking so young, he
replied, "Well, you know, I ought to; I am Young by

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 2$
name !" There was an eccentric little clothier of the name-
of Moses, who was about four feet six inches high, and
the entrance door from his shop to his dwelling was made
of just his own height — a sufficient hint to visitors. There-
was another, named Levy, called "Tin Nose" — why, X
know nor, unless he was, as I have heard, a tinsmith by
trade. He had a son who used to play on the flute, and:
when the larrikins wanted to annoy the old gentleman they
used to say, " Ikey, play the flute for the gentleman."
OPINIONS ON DECENCY.
Amidst the vagaries of our City Board one that gave-
considerable amusement was the erection of a curious iron.
building on the edge of the footpath, at the corner where-
the South British Insurance offices now stand, but known.
then as Sommerville's Corner (when I first landed it was*
R. and D. Graham's, drapers). To the horror and amuse
ment of the public this was intended for a public urinal-
I need not say it was not there many days. The old City
Board were often a source of great amusement to the town.
folk.
THE MILITARY ELEMENT.
The military element used to enter very largely into-
public and private matters in the early days. First the-
58th and afterwards the 65th, and numerous ships-of-war,
made the place gay, and distributed a large amount of
expenditure, while their uniforms, bands, reveille, tattoo,
and amateur performances, ball parties, &c, tended much
to promote business and enliven the town. We missed
them much, and their expenditure much more so. Num
bers of our worthy colonists are amongst those who came-
here with the regiments, or are their descendants. The

¦24 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
pensioners who came out to settle in the outlying settle
ments with their families also served the purpose of
intimidating the natives and giving confidence to the
towns-people.
THE MAORIS.
Of late years we see comparatively few Maoris about
the town. At one time they were very numerous, and they
were pertinacious bargain hunters, who squatted about all
over the streets. To a Maori time was of little value in
those days. He was quite prepared to spend the best part
of a day in purchasing a pipe or a Jew's harp, if the store
keeper did not object. The fortunate fellow did not have
¦any " P.N.'s " to prepare for. When his pipe was lit and
his blanket wrapped round him, he needed no more.
"His foot was on his native heath," &c. His wants
were very few, and his occupations were apparently the
same. But, as regards appetite, (the blessing often given
to the poor so that they may "like what they eat" and
denied to the rich, who " may eat what they like ") — well,
they were not particular. I have seen a Maori cut up a
live schnapper and eat it, and swallow a small herring alive
without sauce.
TEACHING THE MAORIS LOYALTY.
Some years ago it was the custom to give the Maoris
a free dinner on the Queen's Birthday, which used to take
place in Robertson's rope walk building, then situated in
Mechanic's Bay. It was a sight for a dyspeptic to see the
amount of beef, pork, potatoes and fish an adult Maori
•could stow away. The practice of giving this treat has been
discontinued for many years ; I suppose because we no
longer need to propitiate them, and partly because there
are so few living near the city. Clothing and food of every
description is now easily obtainable close to their own homes.

MEMORIES OP THE PAST. 25
That is no doubt partly the cause why we now see so few
of them ; also, a market for the sale of their produce and
gum is found at their doors, and they do not need to pikau,
or carry, their produce to town.
MAORI TRADERS.
How we miss the Maoris as cheap vendors of fish.
potatoes, peaches, apples, onions, oysters, pippies, Maori
mats, kits, shawls, shark's teeth, and greenstone ! and
good hands they were at a bargain ; so much so that it is
currently believed they are the missing descendants of the
lost ten tribes. Certainly, some of them have very strongly
marked Jewish features, but in other respects they are
unlike the Hebrew nation. For1 instance, they are rather
fond of pork and all other kind of meat. They are not
particular to trifles in that line. And, while speaking of
the Maoris, I may mention that the natives used to biing
quantities of tuis, or parson birds, into town for sale or
barter. Now these and other native birds are seldom seen.
NEW ZEALAND POTATOES.
Alas, how has the New Zealand potatoes_degenerated !
I recollect that when in Sydney on my way out to the
•colony, 40 years since, being told, "You will have a treat
to-day. We have some New Zealand potatoes for dinner ;"
and, indeed, they were like huge balls of snow. But now
what are they ? It seems, however, pretty much the same
in all the colonies. For some years the virgin crops are
wonderful, and then, unless the ground is heavily manured,
they degenerate. It was the same with the Hobart Town,
Circular Head, and Waratah potatoes ; for a time they
eclipsed all others Cargoes of both potatoes and onions
were sent to California from New Zealand. Money was
thus made — and, let me add, also lost. Some splendid

26 MEMORIES OP THE PAST.
large fore-and-aft schooners used to trade from San Fran
cisco, sailing like witches, with an enormous spread of
canvas. We do not see them now-a-days. The steamers
have replaced them, and one often wonders what has
become of them.
HOW WE COOKED IN EARLY DAYS,.
The cooking apparatus used to be" very primitive in
old times, the camp-oven and three-legged iron pot com
prising the outfit. The former is still largely used in the
bush, and, indeed, with care, food may be very nicely
cooked in it ; but, I well recollect a lady having a good cry
over her first experiences, and for some time she would
burn her fingers and gowns in lifting off and on the lid to
see how the joint was progressing. The iron pot is neces
sary to the natives, but the " copper Maori," as it is termed
— steaming the food on red hot stones, when covered with
earth— is far preferable; and, indeed, fresh fish or game
is most delicious when cooked thus, particularly if you
possess that useful sauce, viz., a good appetite. Alas ! no
more shall we enjoy a good feed of the small shell-fish and
potatoes cooked in the hot springs at the Lakes when oil
a visit to the Terraces, guided by Sophia or others. All
such pleasures are, I fear, things of the past. Now all
is prosaic and humdrum, the pleasurable excitement of
roughing it is past.
OUR REGATTAS.
Our annual regattas are not what they used to be 25-
years ago. The great interest taken by the Maoris, their
canoe races, with their enthusiastic rowers, are but-
memories of the past. How excited they were, and how
they paraded the street and wharves in their best mats and
finery, finishing up the evening with the war dance, when
the cheers and hurrahs of the successful crews could be

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 27
heard from their tents half the night through. It is terrible.
tame now in comparison. Probably we have not the means
or the inclination to make holidays what they were in the
days when worries were less. I ought to add that there
were rumours occasionally that our native friends were not
quite ignorant of European dodges, and understood the art
of mutuallv arranging matters, so that the stakes given by
the high minded Pakeha could be "pleasantly" divided
between the various crews. Such are among the blessings
of civilisation. Verily "knowledge is power."
RACING IN EARLY DAYS.
Those who recollect the early racing days will recall
many a pleasant day spent on the course on Potter's Paddock,
at Epsom. The military officers took a very active part in
promoting sport, and racing was then not quite such a
business as it is at present. There was no totalisator or
other machine for losing or winning money, and the love of
gambling had not quite permeated the community as it does
now. Families of good standing were glad enough to go
in a dray with straw or mattress on the .bottom of the cart,
and a good summer's day outing was enjoyed with less cost
and probably with more real pleasure than at present.
Poor Henry Hardington, who died lately, was for many
years clerk of the course, and cut a great figure in his red
hunting coat. His genial manner made a host of friends,
and tended greatly to making the races a success and the
sport enjoyable, without any of the head and heart aches
that now generally follow a race day
THE NORTH SHORE,
The flourishing little suburb of Devonport and its
environs made little show thirty years since^ and the best
sites of lantLwere nearly all divided between four or five

28 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
well-known families, whose descendants are now in good
circumstances and much respected. Cross, afterwards the
pilot of Nelson, was the first signalman, and was succeeded
by the late worthy Mr. Duder, who for so many years in
formed us of the arrival of "our cousins and our aunts,"
not omitting our letters and supplies. He is gone. We
have his sons still amongst us, but they have not to rough
it quite so much as their parents and all old colonists had
to do. Another well-known old salt (Tom Landers) now
bosses the flagstaff, and long may he reign! The North
Shore, with its dock, its batteries, anjbathing facilities, easy
of access, should have an era of prosperity before it. It
only requires to be made as attractive as possible, with a
good water supply and efficient drainage, to ensure its
becoming the most fashionable and best frequented suburb
of the city.
CABS AND OMNIBUSES UNKNOWN.
The convenience of cabs and omnibuses were at one
time, not many years since, almost unknown. The first to
ply for hire were, I think, known as the Albert Cars, intro
duced by Mr. Crowther ; somewhat lumbering vehicles on
two wheels, with one horse, but were considered a luxury
when first used. The gold fever, however, soon placed us
on a level with other large towns in the colony. In Sydney
the hansom cabs predominate, and you can get a long ride
there for a shilling. It is true there are not quite so many
hills, but we ought to be able to get as cheap conveyance
here, horse feed being obtainable at low prices. Let us
hope it will not be long before we do. All alike would
benefit, and we should not see so many vehicles standing
idle or lounging about the streets unemployed.
MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
Young colonies are very elastic. Some of us have

MEMORIES OP THE PAST. 29
seen many ups and downs. How little one hears of the
old hands or pioneers ! A few remarks in the daily Press,
and they are almost forgotten, except by those near and
dear. Governor-General Wynyard, the genial host and
soldier ; John Williamson, the hard-working choice of the
people ; James Naughton, of the police ; Johnny Sheehan ;
W. J. Hurst ; plodding, honest Wilson of the Herald ; Dr.
Nicholson, and a host of others, who have passed away
and are almost forgotten. Well, it will be the same with
us, and I suppose in these young colonial towns it will be
so for many years to come. The pioneers did the colony
good service, and their names are worthy of being recorded
elsewhere than simply on their tombstones.
OUR THEATRES. ,
Though we were very primitive in those early days as
regards accommodation for votaries of the Thespian art,
yet we were- exceedingly fortunate in being able to see and
hear some very good actors and actresses ; and in the first
theatre, in Victoria Street East, we used to witness some
really first-class performances, which were, taking into
consideration the lack of materials, &c, staged in capital
style. Amongst the company who were wont to enliven
our evenings and " accept " our entrance money about this
time (they were known, I think, as the Hill Company) was
Harry Jackson, a wild, harum-scarum fellow, who could
spend more money in a week than he could earn in a
month, and who afterwards made a reputation as a good
comic actor in London. He was a very good-natured,
liberal sort of fellow — too much so in fact ; his wit and
humour were the best qualities he possessed. There is one
story concerning this same Jackson which it is a pity my
readers should miss, unless indeed, as is frequently the
case, they have read or heard it before, either as it is or in

30 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
some disguise or other. However that may be, it appears
that on the eve of the occurrence of a fancy dress ball
Jackson was accosted by a gentleman whom I will
designate A. (who was known to be careless about his
personal cleanliness), and the topic of conversation of
course was— the ball. "Well," said Jackson, " going to
the fancy ball, A ?" " Oh, yes ; " replied A. " And look
here, Jackson," he continued, " I want your advice. Can
you think of any dress that I can get cheaply and quickly,
and which will yet be a complete disguise?" "Why,"
rejoined the other, "yes. Look here, A., I have it; you
take my advice and put on a clean shirt. Nobody 'ill know
you!" "Ha, ha!" laughed A., not perceiving the sarcasm,
" capital." Then suddenly being seized with a suspicion
of the truth, he turned and demanded, ' ' What the devil
do you mean, sir ?" but Jackson was away. Several actors
who made their first appearance in this colony were after
wards very successful in England, and Jackson was
amongst them. In the early military days we were
treated to some good acting by the soldiers and their
officers, the only difficulty being that there were no ladies
obtainable, so that the delineator of the blushing heroine
was often some smooth-faced young fellow whose size and
somewhat awkward gait caused hearty laughter, while
" liberty men " who were present from the man-o'-war
then in port were not very particular as to their remarks
on both play and players ; especially when the house was
crowded, and these gentry took up their quarters among
the cross beams in the roof, where they probably enjoyed
themselves more than if they were sitting in the ordinary
seats. Certainly one could laugh at the tragedies and cry
at the farces ! Anyway, we were easily satisfied— so all
concerned were alike in that respect

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 31
BANKS AND BANK MANAGERS.
What a little Emperor, at one time, was a bank mana
ger ; say, for instance in the. days of Mr. Kennedy, of the
Union. How he ruled us and the commercial community,
•and how imperiously he stamped the footpath with his
wooden leg. I recollect, one occasion, how eccentric Sandy
McK  , being (as was somewhat usual) a little — well — a
little "jolly," pursuing Kennedy, against whom he had a
grudge, and threatening to "turn him over." No very
difficult task with a man who had a wooden leg. Sandy
was persistent, and Kennedy had to take refuge in a store
and hide himself behind the counter until Sandy could be
got rid of — at no time a very easy task, and on this occasion
•especially difficult.
There was also genial Mr. Olliver, of the Oriental,
which merged into the New South Wales Bank, succeeded
in the management by Mr. Woodhouse, formerly partner
in the firm of Woodhouse and Buchanan, wholesale im
porters. The latter I am glad to see still in the land of
the living. He is one of our oldest Masons, and one who
has wrought the Order good service in his time. I must
not omit pleasant Mr. Matson, of the Australasian Bank,
who, if he couldn't give you all you asked, couched his
refusal in very courteous terms. For banks are capricious,
and that "instructions from the head office, sir," so often
quoted, has caused more than one tradesman to have the
opinion that banks are always ready to help when help
is not wanted, but will do httle or nothing when it is
required. LICENSING DIFFICULTIES.
In the early days we had not quite so much trouble
over the licensing question, and an hotel was a sure means
of making money ; but it is not everybody who likes to be

32 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
at all hours at the beck and call of the public. It is true,
a monopoly was made of the business at one time, and I
do not think there were many more drunkards on Monday
morning than there are now, having regard, of course, to
the proportionate population. I was one day sympathising
with my neighbour, who " ran " a " pub " on the new law
coming into force to close the publichouses on Sundays.
He replied, " Oh, I like the closing system best. When
you are open a man spends 3d., and hangs about the place
all the afternoon, but when there is a difficulty in getting
the drink he will take three times as much, and clear out
quickly." So you may perceive human nature was very
much 40 years ago what it is at present, and my story has
a moral worthy of the attention of our teetotal friends.
Mr. H. N  , who once kept a "pub" in Shortland
Street, opposite the Post Office,' got so stout that his doctors
told him that he must either take plenty of exercise or the
business would kill him. "Oh," he replied, "if I leave
my business I shall be robbed." So he had to make his
choice. As time rolled on he elected to sell out, and did
so. Strange, but true, how often it is the barmen make
fortunes, while the proprietors, who are often absent, make
nothing. Something in the beer, I suppose. Anyhow, I
give up that knotty question.
COMMERCIAL MORALITY.
Certainly in the early days of the colony we had more
confidence in each other ; fewer bills or promissory notes
were in existence. Fires and " bolting," it is true,
occurred, — but not very often. We hadn't the luxury of
many banks, insurance offices, carriages, &c, but our pay
ments were more prompt. No man was ashamed to do his
own work, or to carry his own auction or other purchases
home, — and the lending to or assisting of a neighbour,
either with cash or otherwise, was a common occurrence,

MEMORIES OP THE PAST. 33;
but as we increased in numbers we became luxurious. I
know I had a mild awakening. A neighbour borrowed 80-
sovereigns of me one day, to be returned " honestly" in a
week ; but when the time arrived, alas, he had gone on a
trip to the Islands, and to this day I have never seen my
money. It was a dear experience, but I think most of us
who have reached the fifties are apt to think that all experi
ence is costly.
TRADE RESTRICTIONS WITH THE MAORIS.
Severe restrictions some time existed in trading with
the Maoris, at other times these were relaxed. No guns,.
axes, hatchets, flints, powder, etc., could be sold, but our
native friends made use of wax matches instead of caps,
and soon learnt to make gunpowder, although it was a very-
coarse stuff. Several importers made lots of money by
importing guns and other ammunition and selling them to
the natives in defiance of all legislation. Whether they
kept the money they made is another matter ; as a rule, it.
is easier by far to make than to keep.
OUR WATER SUPPLY.
What a lot of talk, fighting, writing, and trips the water
supply question in its time gave rise to. For a long time
there was the battle of the Nihotopu or Western Springs, and
other schemes, needing all sorts of reports and visits. This
city is no little indebted to its first Mayor for the ultimate
carrying into effect the obtaining of a water supply, which
has been repaid by tbe success of the undertaking. On
one trip I recollect, poor Macready could not be out of the
fun, so accompanied the Councillors and others, but when
he got there he could not ascend the ranges, and so had to
stop at the foot and take care of the kai. In fact, he
agreed to take "the report as read," but when we returned

¦34 MEMORIES OP THE PAST.
he was fast in the land of Nod, having sampled the refresh
ments just to see that all was O.K. Our religious member
H  , got a little lively on that occasion, and on the
way home was singing as jolly as a sand boy (however jolly
that may be). I suppose it was the lemonade — it used to
'be very strong in those days ! Few who are here to-day,
;and enjoying our good supply, may recollect our troubles
from the want of it — the numerous fires, the unwholesome
wells, from the near vicinity of the closets, the scarcity of
'bath water, the payment for street watering, amounting to
as much, in some instances, as 5s. per week ! All this,
thank goodness, is a thing of the past, and those who
¦fought the good fight for us and our children should be
iremembered with gratitude.
OUR PROGRESS IN EIGHTEEN YEARS.
What progress in many ways our city has made, more
-especially since 1869 and the inauguration of the corporate
body ! Who can forget the scoria footpaths and the dis-
•comfort of walking on them, the numerous gullies and the
deficient drainage ? Now we have miles of asphalt foot
paths, both in the city and suburbs — or at least what were
once the suburbs. Few towns in the colony have improved
•so fast, having regard to its formation, and notwithstanding
all the abuse levelled at our City Council, they have done
good work, and made their mark in their time, when our
leading men were content to do a citizen's share by attend
ing only to their own business ! Amongst the events that
are, I suppose, almost forgotten, was the laying of the
foundation stone of the Supreme Court by the Superin
tendent, Sir F. Whitaker. The landing of the Duke of
Edinburgh, and the levee, I well recollect. He took little
notice of the enthusiasm that was shown. The foundation
stone' of the new Market by Mayor Philips, the opening of

MEMORIES OP THE PAST. 35
the waterworks supply by Mayor Prime, are all events of
importance to us, as marking our progress and advance
ment. May the cloud that at present hangs over the
colony soon be passed, and returned prosperity enable us
to lay the foundation for many more requirements still
•existing.
AN OLD IDENTITY.
Captain Casey- was a worthy old sailor, well known
for his good heart and- dry humour. I recollect upon one
occasion he came round to ask myself and wife to an
evening party to meet Mr. and Mrs. Moriarty, from
Sydney. He said, " I have come to ask you to come and
crack a few nuts with us this evening," and, as he was
leaving, added, " Oh ! by-the-bye, here's a note I was to
give you," which turned out to be the invitation. One
afternoon a lady accosted him on board one of the North
Shore ferry boats, and asked him to give a contribution to
the Destitute Home for Children. " Certainly," he said,
producing a large canvas bag, and offering five shillings,
with the remark, " Now, I believe one gete credit in
Heaven for such gifts, don't you ?" Well, if you ask me
candidly," remarked the acute lady, '' I do not think any
credit is given for less sums than half-a-guinea." He was
immensely tickled with this reply, and immediately made
his donation up to that amount. He never forgot that
answer, and was very fond of telling the story to others.
He was a genial, whole-hearted man. Let us hope he
sleeps the sleep of the just.
LAND FEVERS.
What a number of fevers and depressions have we"
passed through and felt, and no doubt those who live long
enough will see a repetition, although there are many who
doubt a revival in the price of land again ever being

36 MEMOBIES OF THE PAST.
possible. When a few fine days come, do we not forget
the rain, and vice versa when it rains several days ? — all
the fine weather is forgotten ; and so it is with land fevers.
Let prosperous times come again, and all our caution is
soon forgotten, and we bite once again. An old friend
was telling me the other day an instance of how
valuable property was occasionally acquired in early days.
Major B  , of the 80th, was leaving for India, and,
on settling up his business with his agent (Mr. W  ),
the latter was somewhat dissatisfied, stating that he done,
a lot of work for little or no pay ; whereupon the Major
drew out of his pocket a title deed, and said, " Here,
accept this as a gift. I am not sure whether it will ever
be worth much to you.'' It was, however, the deed of a
property fronting Queen Street, and not long since some
of it realised over £200 per foot. I remember, in 1851,
purchasing land next to the present Mutual Provident
Society's offices for £1 per foot, and selling it shortly
afterwards for £2, and thought I had done a good day's
work ; and yet twenty years ago suburban and country
land was worth as much, if not more, than it is at present.
The fluctuations in the value of land in these colonies are
incomprehensible. When Captain -•  gave the
property at the corner of Queen and Shortland Streets to
the Church people as an endowment, I think he had little
idea of what would become its commercial value. Too
¦ much land is already locked up in trust for matters over
which the public has no control, and into whose affairs
daylight never penetrates. In a century hence the objects
for which it was given will be forgotten, and the govern
ing families will possess.
THE OLD HOTELS.
A number of these are amongst the departed. Even
the old names have not been retained, with one exception,

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 37
the Victoria. The Russell Wine Vaults, now lawyers'
offices (from bad to worse), the William Denny in Queen
Street, the Trafalgar and Caledonia in Fort Street,
Dennett's Hotel foot of Wyndham Street, have all made
way for better buildings ; and even the most thirsty
admirer of bars must admit that our teetotal friends have
done the public good service, if it were only insisting
upon a better class of houses and accommodation for the
public. Moral : There is good in all things in moderation,
although I believe our mutual friends don't admit this.
COUNTRY HOTELS.
Hotel accommodation in the country districts was very
primitive in the early times, and in some places is much
the same now- Years since, while visiting with an elderly
friend, who was not long out from the old country, some
settlements in the North, we came to a hotel, and, being
very tired and hungry after our long journey, my friend
remarked, "Well, now, the first thing to get is a pair of
slippers, so pray, ring the bell." But there was no bell to
ring ; and, when the feminine proprietor appeared after
several loud calls, she said, "I ain't got no slippers." So,
then, my friend elected we would have a chop and a cup
of coffee ; but there were no chops or coffee. Well, then,
either steaks, eggs, fowl, fish, or toast ; but all in vain.
"We've got some salt pork and tea," she said, "but we
ain't got any milk or butter." To my friend's discomfort,
for he was a non-believer in pork, he had to be content
with tea and damper. His refusal to eat pork, I told him,
reminded me of the story of the captain of the Hull
steamer, who, being asked how he liked to carry Hebrew
passengers, replied, " Oh, first-rate, when there are plenty
of them ; they are so d  d particular what they eat that
they take little or nothing." Having a prejudice against

38 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
the same food, I recollect, in very early times, being served
with what looked very white meat ; and, asking what it
was, was told " New Zealand mutton," and it was some
time before I was undeceived.
FURNITURE-FACED MEN.
A young friend, a visitor from Sydney, aged about
nine, came running into my parlour, saying, "Oh! here's
a furniture-faced man wants something." He meant a.
well-tatooed Maori. I recollect as far back as 1850 seeing
the Maoris playing chess at one of the Government ball
entertainments, and they were no mean adversaries. The
natives were highly amused with the. glass tumblers and
bottles, imitations of being half-full of wine or stout, and
which, if shaken, showed an appearance of a frothy head.
They were a long time making it out.
/ A CAREFUL MAN.
Old A  , an eccentric old fellow, whose reading
and writing — well, had been, say neglected — in his early
days, was upon one occasion requested to sign a Govern
ment receipt form for some coats supplied to native
postmen. He declined on the plea that he had sold for
cash, and how did he know but the postmaster might
write " I.O.U. twenty pounds " over or before his signature.
He might have been a relative to the man who thanked
God his son could not write, because he could not then
commit a forgery. So much for small mercies.
OUR GOVERNORS.
Old hands, of a necessity, have seen many Governors
come and go, few, perhaps, more than the writer. Grey
twice, Gore Browne, the genial, the suave Bowen, gentle
manly Fergusson, bluff Normanby, proud Gordon, and

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 39
our present worthy representative. Some were famous for
their hospitality and some were much the reverse. I
recollect at one party at Government House, a friend and
myself went to the refreshment room and took a glass of
wine, &c. My friend remarked, " What wretched stuff,"
and, to his horror, found the Governor at his elbow, who-
suavely remarked, " I hope you will excuse any short
coming ; Lady  has been too ill to look after matters
for some days."
OUR AUCTIONEERS.
Auctioneers are generally a jovial set of men. How-
many have left us ! Pollock, Joseph, David Nathan,.
cheery Oonnell, Ridings, Hansard (" the dying schnapper"),.
Collins, Sam Cochrane, Tonks. Stannus Jones is still alive,
living in France. All wielded the hammer to good effect,.
and will long be remembered by the old traders and busi
ness men.
OUR FIRST SETTLEMENT.
We owe to Russell, Bay of Islands, a lot of our lead
ing old colonists — jaunty Pollen, Nathan, Barstow, Mitford,
Clendon, and many others. At one time 20 to 30 whaling-
vessels might be seen at anchor, drawing their supplies and
disposing of their whale oil and American trade goods,
while the missionaries and settlers sent up fruit and fish..
At times the latter was so plentiful that it was used as
manure on the lands. Poor Vilcoq, a Frenchman, was a
leading merchant. He died in our Lunatic Asylum.
Cook, the baker, and the genial Captain Bolger, hailed
from the Bay. Dr. Ford was well known as a medico and
respected as a man. On one occasion, being out for a
stroll in Russell late in the afternoon, we determined to-
pay a visit to an old acquaintance, the celebrated chief
Tamati Walker and his wife. On going to the door (it was

-40 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
just dark), we knocked, and somebody said, " Haere mai,"
and we opened the door, to find the room in darkness, save
for an old-fashioned night lantern with big holes, which
were reflected on the wall. In one corner was a bed, in
which were the o'd couple. Tamati sat up, and his and
her tatooed faces, in the peculiar light, made rather a
ludicrous scene. The worthy old fellow and his partner
are now in a better land. Russell has a fine harbour ; it
is a pity it has not gone ahead more. Going one day to
Manawara Bay in a large boat with natives rowing, good
sport was obtained by the Maoris with a line and shell
hook, catching kahawai. The line was fast to the boat
and passed round the toes of one of the rowers and towed
astern. Suddenly the rower would stop rowing and catch
hold of the line, jerk in a fine fish weighing 51bs. to 81bs.,
¦and then drop the line astern again.
OUR WAR EXPENDITURE.
What enormous and wasteful war expenditure took
place. Imagine hundreds of wheelbarrows and chairs
made up and sent out (not packed) in ships at £3 and £4
per ton measurement ; bales of blankets and tarpaulins.
The latter lay stacked in the open air, and the oil oozed
from them. Thousands of spades and shovels were piled
in Britomart Barrack stores, sent out loose, and afterwards
shipped home in the same manner at about the same rate
of freight, and probably on arrival condemned and sold for
almost nothing. With such commissariat arrangements,
was it any wonder the New Zealand war was a costly one !
THE MIGHTY PRESS.
What wordy wars there used to be in the ancient times
between the Southern Cross and the New Zealander papers.
"Now all thib is changed, and it is " our worthy contem
porary," and nobody will tread on the tail of the other's

MEMORIES OP THE PAST. 41
coat, but even this is for the better. Certainly our Parlia
ment representatives have not improved, for in our first
Parliament men like Domett, Stafford, Fitzgerald, Gisborne,
and others have not been equalled, and free education has
not as yet caused us to excel them. Let us hope it will
yet do so.
COLONIALS IN LONDON. .
We often hear amusing stories of what happens to
those who visit the great capital for the first time on busi
ness pursuits. One importer who visited London in 1849
¦called at a wholesale warehouse to purchase goods, and
asked to be shown some samples. On being asked his
name and for a reference, he produced his cash bag, and
replied, " Cash is my reference !" but was astonished to
receive the reply, " We shall be glad to do business with
you, sir, but we never do so without references," and he
had to acquiesce. Another visited a palatial establishment,
asked to see the principal, and on being shown into the
counting house, introduced himself, and stated that in
making his purchases he liked to deal with the principals.
¦One of the firm replied, " Really, Mr.  , I should be
quite useless to you, for I have not been through the
departments for the last twenty years."
THE THREE SANDIES.
Sandy Marshall, Sandy Black and Sandy Dingwall
were three well-known old identities, who were worthy
pioneers. Two of them have joined the great majority,
but the latter still lives ana looks as cheerful and well as
he did twenty years ago. Long may he flourish !
FISHING.
Fishing — more particularly rod fishing — used to be
much more in vogue here than it has been of late years.

42 MEMORIES OP THE PAST.
The increased traffic on our wharves, and the noise made
by the extensive steamer traffic has frightened both amateur
fishermen and the fish. Besides, Mrs. Grundy has now taken
,up her residence with us, and what was considered at that
time not out of place would, I expect, now be thought
low. Our Hebrew friends used to be great hands at fishing
on Sundays, and were usually very successful, rarely going
out on an excursion, or taking a stand on the wharf, with- ,
out bringing home a kit full, sometimes more than they
could well carry. The Messrs. Keesing and other old
identities were invariably lucky. Perhaps one reason was
that they usually studied the tides, the weather, and their
fishing tackle, all necessary to make fishing a success.
The military officers used to be fond of this sport, but
they were lucky enough to be able to get a lot of the men
to do all the pulling, and whether it was up beyond the
Watchman Island (now, by-the-bye, getting much less in
size), Wood's Island, or the other end of the harbour, they
were all able to find out the best fishing grounds. When
Fletcher and Solomon had the old flour mill on the Beach
Road (now a tobacco factory) in operation, the waste bran
and material thrown in the sea used to attract myriads of
piper, or gar fish, and with high tide, a good rod, and a
gut line, a skilful fisher would land ten or twelve dozen in
a couple of hours — not the little things we get now drawn
in the nets, but the size of half-a-dozen such. It is funny
how some people misunderstand the love of fishing, and
its pleasant results in a basket of nice fresh fish alive, —
and a good appetite when returning home. One friend of
mine used to remark, " Well, I would not take all the
trouble you do. I always catch my fish with a silver
hook !" meaning that he always purchased it. I suppose
he thought we fished for the mere sake of catching fish,
often welcomed with a very bad grace, for " Mary Jane "

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 43
Strongly objected to be called on to clean fish at unearthly
hours, and threatened to give notice to leave if she was
expected to do such nasty work ! so that the catch often-
had to be given away. Some friends have mistaken
motives of kindness. Hearing of the fine flat fish, or plaice,
obtained from the Thames years ago, I asked a friend to
send me up a few on some occasion, and one day accord
ingly I received a message — " Fish on board the Enter
prise ; please send for." I did so, and found a case
holding about 150 fine flat fish ; but, as it was summer
time, it was indeed a "white elephant," and I had at once
to get one or two of my boys to hasten round to distribute
the gift among my friends, for half-a-dozen supplied our
requirements. One day, fishing on the wharf, an old gent
who stood alongside of me, not long from the old country,
remarked proudly, " Do you see that rod ? Well, that has
come 15,000 miles." I, of course, expressed my astonish
ment, but I often wondered whether he remembered that
all our fishing rods came from the same or greater distances.
Fishing one day from a. boat alongside of the wharf, with
an elderly gentleman — a relation, also a new arrival (who
certainly was not used to small boats), whilst intent on the
line I was sensible of a rocking motion, then silence, then
suddenly a voice from the water, "Don't make a fuss, help
me in !" To my horror, I found he was holding on to the
sides. With some trouble I got him in and ashore, but
that was the last time he ventured to go fishing in a small
boat. One friend, who would be astonished if he was
called selfish, used always to relegate all visitors or new
hands to the bow of our boat, arguing that it was the best
place, while he had the stern clear for his lines. But the
visitors used to find that their lines were not cast in
pleasant places, and caught under the boat ; also that the
fish generally were scarce in that locality. They grew wiser

44 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
as they went more frequently, and would no longer monopo
lize the best place, but insist on the other having it, or
at least sharing the worst, to the astonishment (real or
assumed) of the unselfish (?) one Poor Fletcher, who
kept the flour mill I have spoken of, was a good fellow,
but rather too speculative. Solomon (his partner) was a
jovial fellow, the life of a Masonic Lodge or an officers'
mess. He now resides in Fiji, a prosperous lawyer.
"May his shadow never grow less!"
Q. C. E.
Years since, when our Hebrew friends were much
exercised over some congregational disputes, and had
advertised the establishment of another place of worship,
the town was at the same time placarded with large posters
with the letters " Q.C.E.," which nobody understood. I
was passing a group of military officers, when one exclaimed
loudly, "What the devil is the meaning of these bills —
Q. C. E. ?" " Oh," teplied another, " something to do with
our Jewish folk." I believe, in reality, it was a preliminary
notice of the establishment of a restaurant well known in
its day, meaning " Quality, Cleanliness, and Economy."
Visiting this establishment on one occasion, I was standing
looking at the various tables before taking my seat, when
one of the proprietois came up and asked me what he
could do for me. I replied, "Oh, I was looking for the
table with the least soiled table-cover to sit at." He
replied, "Oh, you must not be particular to-day; we
always have clean table-cloths on Friday 1" I remarked
that I preferred them every day.
 o 
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir, — In your issue of Saturday, October 8, " Old
Hand," in speaking of the theatres, says : " The first

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 45
theatre was in Victoria Street East." This is not correct,
as we had two theatres previous to that one. The first
theatre that Auckland possessed was situated at the corner
of Queen Street and Vulcan Lane. It was built by a man
named Stewart, and the actors and actresses included the
celebrated Buckingham family, and the Misses Smithson,
who resided at that time in Wyndham Street, nearly oppo
site where the Herald office now stands. The second theatre
was in High Street, next the Osprey Inn, and running
right through to O'Connell Street. It was called Thomp
son's Theatre. Here I witnessed the first panorama that
came to Auckland, namely, the Duke of Wellington's
Funeral, with moving figures. I have also seen some
heavy pieces performed, i.e., "Pizarro," and one or two
.of Shakespeare's plays, which I have forgotten. The
members of the company included Messrs. O'Brien (pupil
of G. V. Brooke), Tom Hyde (a man who assisted
to drive the first pile of the Queen Street Wharf),
Kemble, Willis, Stringer, Tom Harrold (scene-painter), and
Rossiter, who performed on the cord volante. The ladies
names were Mrs. Symons and Mrs. Trafford. On Sundays
this theatre was used as a temporary place of worship
by the Independents until such time as their own chapel
was erected in High Street. Now, I will have a word or
two to say about the Victoria East Theatre. The above
place of amusement was built by Mrs. W. H. Foley, and
the time occupied in erection was only about ten days.
The theatre was only open three times a week — Mondays,
Thursdays and Saturdays. The scenery was painted in the
Register publishing office, at the corner of Queen and
Victoria Streets. One of the nights when I was present
there was a real play on the stage— a wordy warfare —
between Mrs. Foley and Mr. Southwell (afterwards editor
of the Auckland Examiner) relative to his part in the

46 MEMORIES OP THE PAST. *
" Rough Diamond," the former insisting that the latter did
not know his part ; the curtain was lowered, and after a
lapse of about a quarter of an hour, the play proceeded
without a hitch. Some short time after this Mrs. Foley
sold out her interest to Harry Jackson, one of the company ;
but it was found that be could not meet the bills when duJ,
¦owing to bad houses, so he was incarcerated in prison.
When brought up for examination he pleaded infancy, and
was released. He did best, in my opinion, as Jem Bags in
" The Wandering Minstrel," and Wormwood in " The
Lottery Ticket." The theatre was then closed, but re
opened after a brief interval, with an entirely new company,
who arrived from Sydney, in the Bremen-built brig Algerine
(Woodhouse and Buchanan, agents), and opened with a
piece called " Fraud and its Victims," the after-piece being
" A Prince for an Hour," Miss Annie Batwell sustaining
the character of Prince Lorenzo Medicis (of the Tuscans).
The lessees were Messrs. T. S. Bellair and Walter Hill,
and the company included the following members : Messrs.
B. N. Jones, Harwood (for some time proprietor of the
Theatre Royal, Melbourne), Varley, Stewart, Walcot, and
several well-known amateurs. Amongst the ladies were
Mrs. Walter Hill, Mrs. Bellair, Miss Annie Batwell (after
wards Mrs. B. N. Jones), Miss Emma James (who became
Mrs. Harry Jackson in course of time). I forgot to
mention in its proper place that Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Craven
(now of London) played one night — the piece selected
being the " Serious Family," Craven assuming the charac
ter of Captain Murphy Macguire, which, it is needless for
me to say, was a decided success. Your correspondent
" Old Hand " is also in error with respect to the military
theatre in the late Albert Barracks. He says ladies'
characters were taken by gentlemen. I have been there
on several occasions, and always found ladies playing their

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 47
own parts. What about Miss Fisher ? Did she not act in
the military theatre in such pieces as I am about to quote,
viz : " The Wife, or a Tale of Mantua," with David Burn in
the title role; "The Mutiny at the Nore ;" "Luke, the
Labourer;" "Rory O'More," with Tony Mullins playing
Mr. Devilskin ; " Woman's the Devil," with Johnny
Gallagher (afterwards of the Commissariat Department) in
the leading character. The place was always crowded on
a command night — that is, when Colonel Wynyard was
present, and the splendid band of the 58th Regiment.
Before closing I should like to add the names of a
few pioneers which " Old Hand " has omitted to place on
record, namely : Mr. W. H. Griffin (who worked hard for
and succeeded in getting the eight hour movement an
accomplished fact), Mr. Jerry Waite, Peter Grace, Tom
Murphy, and William Bacon, all giants in their way,
especially at election times. Peace to their ashes.
Thanking you in anticipation, I am, &c,
William Smith,
October 15th, 1887. Molesworth Street, Wellington.

[Mr. W. Smith is in error in stating that ladies'
characters were invariably taken by ladies at the Military
Theatre in Albert Barracks. Individual instances may
have occurred, but the rule was that men took them. Mr.
Smith states that I have omitted to mention some deserving
to be named. May I add he has not given me time to do
so. Nevertheless, I am glad I have "drawn" another
" Old Identity."— Old Hand.]
FREEMASONRY.
Freemasonry is an old-established institution in our
midst, from the days of Rooney, who, with others,
obtained the site known as the Masonic Hotel, in Princes

48 MEMORIES OF THF. PAST.
Street. F. W. Merriman, the jovial lawyer, always ready
with a smiie and a jest, and a host of others who have
passed away, are still remembered both inside and outside
the lodges ; and in the days when the army was here, the
officers formed an important element in joviality and good-
fellowship.
OUR SHIPBUILDING TRADE.
How well at one time we were supplied with sailing
vessels, trading to Sydney and other ports. The business
is now monopolised by steamers. Many a fine boat was
launched in Mechanic's Bay from the site of the present
Union Timber Company's premises. The Moa, Mankin,
Raven, and others, now lost or broken up, did good service
to their owners. The old steamer Hero was a fortunate
boat for her owners and the genial Captain Logan. I
recollect some years since being one of many others
celebrating his one hundredth trip by a dinner held at the
Auckland Club premises, to which he was invited by the
citizens and friends. Long may he flourish with the Union
Company, and live to celebrate another such anniversary,
which cannot be far off!
OUR FIRST POST OFFICER ,"". f, Cl<
When the Post Office was at thenrjpTTfSigb-Stxeet,
and letters had to be called for, what a rush took place, on
arrival of the English mails more particularly ! Those were
the days when it took nearly twelve months to get a reply
to your correspondence. How often the remittance man
would take up his place in the single file, and worry to get
to the letter-box, only to get the reply " No letters !"
SMUGGLING IN OLD TIMES.
Lots of smuggling used to take place from whalers,
both at the Bay of Islands and in Auckland. Small craft

MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 49
owners cleared out with a box of tobacco — the empty box,
though to all appearance full, returning with it really so ;
and, when they sold it, kindly offering to open it, and ask
ing for the box — just for firelights ! One person once
landed a lot in a cave not far from Auckland, and,
when he went to get it, lo and behold ! it had
disappeared ; but he had to be silent and put up with
the loss — some of the men employed had no doubt
taken it. Whalers would come ashore looking very stout,
and return on board grown perceptibly thinner after their
short but profitable stay on shore. A master of a Bay
of Islands trader once pointed out to me a cartload of
apples being landed, and jokingly remarked, " There's lots
of tobacco among those apples, I can tell you." Whether
this was gasconade or not, I cannot say, but I think it was
quite probable that smuggled goods were concealed.
PROFITABLE TRADING.
Forty years since were the times for the lucky trader
who had facilities for getting goods from London or the
adjacent colonies, 100 per cent, being no unusual advance
on invoice cost, the invoice often being, as it is termed,
" well salted." It was then hardly a question of how
cheap you could get an article, but could you get it at all,
and, if you did not like the price — well, you would have to
go without.
MAORI VESSELS.
One often thinks what has become of the fleet of
native vessels we once had trading from the Bay of Islands,
Mongonui, and the East Coast. Certainly, after the war
they became fewer, and the speedy communication by
means of steamers did the' rest. ' Jimmy Tautari, the
popular Bay of Islands skipper, was as decent a fellow as

50 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
ever existed, and was well liked by all who took their
passage in his boats — the Napi, Sea Breeze, &c. He,
with many other worthy colonists, sleeps " the sleep of
the just ;" but, as pioneers, they are not forgotten. He
was reared and educated by the Church of England mis
sionaries, and did them credit. Indeed, the Northern part
of the colony was much indebted to these missionaries and
their good work.
OUR LAWYERS AND MEDICOS.
Amongst our lawyers all old hands will recollect
Conroy, Bracey, Merriman, Berry, Beveridge, Wynn,
Hughes ; and medicos, Drs. Davis, Matthews, Dalliston
(who died in Japan), Nicholson, and others. The origin
of Dr. C. Fischer's success as a medical man is probably
now known to a few. Stone and Langford's store, at the
corner of Shortland Street and Old Victoria Lane, was
heavily stored upstairs with wheat or oats, and the flooring
gave way. Mrs. George Graham was in the place at the
time, and was buried under the bags of grain. She was
carried out quite insensible, and taken opposite to Dr.
Matthews' druggist's shop (where Miss McLaughlin's shop
now stands), in Shortland Street, and after examination,
was given up by the medical men. As a last resource,
some friends urged that Dr. Fischer, who was a new
arrival, should be called in. This was done, and after
some time he succeeded in bringing her round, and she
lived for some years after. This event, however, made
Dr. Fischer's reputation assured.
THE REV. MR. CHURTON.
The late Rev. Mr. Churton, Church of England
minister, was another well-known and respected worthy.
Often have I seen him on dark and stormy nights, with his
candle lantern, going about the poorest parts or the city ;

MEMORIES OP THE PAST. 51
and I recollect his coming into my store, when newly built,
with an apology. He said he thought he had been in
every house in Auckland, and warmly was he welcomed,
for he had a kind word and good advice for all, regardless
of their faith.
COUNTRY LIFE.
Early in the fifties trips to country districts were rather
rough. Journeying upon one occasion — we had elected to
go on a visit to Howick for a few weeks — we had to hire a
dray and put a feather bed in it for the ladies and children
to sit upon. I recollect it took nearly the whole day to get
there. Then, all our ideas of country life were rudely dis
pelled. Butter, milk, or meat had either to be obtained
from town, or we had to take our chance of a sheep being
killed. Fortunately, fruit was plentiful and cheap on
account of the difficulty of sending it to a market. I
recollect that insects were plentiful, particularly fleas.
TRICKS IN ALL TRADES.
An "old time" storekeeper was rather fond of experi
menting in the direction of economy, or — well, adultera
tion. He once bought a lot of split peas and roasted
them, then ground and mixed them with coffee, and
invited a friend to test some new coffee he stated he had
"just received ;" but, to his horror, after being well boiled,
the coffee poured out thick, a la pea soup ! Upon another
occasion he was one day at work in his factory, when a
well-known, witty Hibernian passed, and, looking through
the window, said, " Well, Mr.  , what are you making
now ?" " Tomato sauce," he replied. The questioner
glanced round the room, which was half-full of large
pumpkins, and replied, "Well, I never saw tomatoes so
large as those you have here !"

52 MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
OUR BISHOPS.
Bishop Selwyn (the elder) was a man who looked
every inch a gentleman, with indomitable will and energy.
His countenance alone gave confidence, and his utterances
would impress any faith. He practised the tenets of true
religion as well as preached them. Then there was genial
Bishop Croke, who was both enthusiastic and witty, and
endeared himself to all classes of the community. When
presenting the prizes to the school children he had a very
pleasant and witty remark for each, and he will long be
remembered by the citizens of Auckland with respect and
esteem.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
In concluding my first series of reminiscences, I must
thank some kind correspondents for the flattering con
firmation of the accuracy of my remarks and their im
pressions of pleasure at their appearance. It must be
remembered that they are all culled from memory, and not
from any records. I hope on some future occasion some
further reminiscences may be acceptable to my friends
your numerous readers. Yours,
©M IAM,

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Use the Colonial varnishes.

REGlSTERgb

BEST

^

¦V

if-

3fyur ^nk\\tl °fmpk 1p#*
Highly Recommended by all the Heading 2|rchiteetA
throughout the fpolonu.

FIRST PRIZE at the
MELBOURNE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

Varnishes for all kinds of work :
Coach Painters, House Decorators; lacquers, Japans,
Brunswick Blacks, Patent Driers, Putty, Paint, &c.

i/vvyfft?fT

MSlTCn&irSQlI * Co.,
SOL£ AGEMTS.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

#imww WW®$ § ce'g.-H-

GRAND

»??»?¦»•»»» »?????????¦»?????« ???l*«»M..|lj|

f

£ $|ns*$lis$ft ^paiqlt

*W 'm h>
AUCKLAND.
GRANDEST DISPLAY OF HIGH-CLASS ENGLISH LEVER
WATCHES <3t JJ-ErV»TELLER.Y
7"Aar Aas ever been exhibited in any country— all imported
by S. D. & Co., DIRECT FROM THEIR FACTORY.

£o 10s— Hunting Chronographic Levers. Former price £6 los.
£3 — Gents' Hunting Levers. Former price £3 los.
£4 10s— Gents' Hunting Lever, Chronometer Balance, three pairs
Extra Jewelled. Former Price £4 15s.
£3 10s— Gents' Hunting Levers (our own make) with Gold Balance.
Worth £6 10s.
£1 15s — Improved Defiance Watches (Ladies and Gents') Hunting.
Open-faced, £1 7s. 6d.
£3 10s— Ladies' Hunting Levers. Former price £3 los.
£3 — Ladies' Open-paoe English Levers. Former price £3 10s.

ITIWAM DAWi©I & C©0!)
•*94, QUEEN STREET,*
AUCKLAND.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

WM. WILDMAN

'"111 111

*%~^).?r?e

HAS JUST ISSUED A LIST OF

mhn l&ttatittg to t!fi$ ^alang

eg •* AND ^FE P3CIKIC IglifllVIDg, *• %

AND WILL BE GLAD TO FORWARD IT

post free: on application.

<-">iiik>|ni

^urchader oi j|ld Jookd §• gamphlctd

RELATING TO THE ABOVE SUBJECTS.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

.0 v — Tggr=s<i— Q'

11

JlWW Ppe^ee^ppEn }|-

¦o ^~^s>e  . o.
CORNER; OF

}%z@@n J) ^ffQHoaloij St&gQ&S*

TOM TH¥MB CARTES ©1 WlglTE
(FOUR DIFFERENT POSITIONS)
2l/*© jPEIt, oo^n, a/®

ill B.

-l"*JW, #*^*-

225, QUEEN STREET,

^•pig'P'gBLIgpED 1S67. ft

HucManb,

ADVERTISEMENTS.

SFB-cxjLunr 1 t 1

•*--^5rggi&lg5K

P. DAVISON'S

AND

-r^itottg*^

V AND Qt

fONCTI©]^ (JnEEJS # gl^EY jS^EE^.

-*  M-

The Cheapest and Largest Variety in Auckland of all the Goods
as under : — Cloaks and Pelisses — all Colours, Robes, Night and Day
Dresses, Frocks, Long and Short Slips, Bibs, Bonnets, Hats, Long
Flannels, Squares, Waterproof Napkins, Aprons, Sheets, and Bibs.
Ladies' Hand-Made TJnderlinen, Ladies' Machine-Made TJnder-
linen, beautifully trimmed, less than usual Cost Price. Pinafores in
Diaper, Holland and Print, fit up to twelve years. All Ladies' and
Qhildren's Silk Hose, Half Price,

ADVERTISEMENTS.

K^ At K

*eij CHRONOMETER,

^atehf P^lo@l^mal^@^

R-

=3_S..o4o..£«^

.0*0 ¦¦ 2 — .jfe =

««>m'm'm^«***«*W'*m'*^m««#*m^****««*'e^^

O»»«<»»«^«<^»«^»«^«»»»^»»»»^»»»«^»»»»»0»»«<»^»«>«<^»»»»»»

^^"s^^^^is?

166, QUEEN STREET,

AWCKLAHIJ.

-*^e^«»^-»--

ALL WORK ©01TE OS THE PREMISES

Satisfaction and Punctuality Quaranteed

ADVERTISEMENTS.

¦* PICTURE ¥WW mwww®w *¦
AND

-#¦#^1..

VICTORIA STREET, AUCKLAND.
X, B. CARTBB
pnom" ETOR

I

All kinds of Pictures, Drawings, Maps, &c. Mounted, Varnished, and
Framed in any Style  VERY CHEAP.

Violin, Piano, Banjo, &c,
ejnfc Eqjatrer of Jftustcal Instruments,

E-XTW]' EJ(0P TEJSTIJSiejyiTIItjS.
Bandmaster Steane says:— " Pupils placed under him (Mr. Carter) for
musical instruction get on rapidly, and soon become efficient."
Rev. Gordon Smith :— " As a Teacher of Music on various instruments
he stands here in high repute, and also as a Repairer of Instruments he has won
himself a name."
Rev. J.W. Kiddle:— "I hereby certify that I have known Mr. Carter for
the last ten years.  As a Teacher of Music I consider he is
exceptionally able."

ADVERTISEMENTS.

wTr*Q

RODUCE * IDART,

JUNCTION of QUEEN, GREY, AND WAKEFIELD STREETS,
The Most Spacious and Best Lighted Produce
* Auction Room in Auckland.

garjgpe $tecU of all krata nf %m\ fwto
' gjfoags 0tt Han0 fur friMe £ale.
— ? —
Special accommodation for the display of Fruit, Farm &
Dairy Produce to advantage.

The Poultry Coops are without doubt the best in the
Province, being roomy, well lighted and clean,
and capable of accommodating 2000 head
assorted Poultry, and lOO Pigs.

KYERY CARE TAKEN OF CONSIGNMENTS
and Prompt Returns Rendered.
AUCTIONEER & COMMISSION AGENT.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 08854 4029

YALE