Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 117

Transcript

The original madhouse was in Port Cooper, Lyttelton, where horrible cruelties were perpetrated upon poor lunatics. Of course there was no proper accommodation and it was a make shift business. Then the Government bought the section on the Lincoln Road, and commenced the gloomy pile that now stands there. There were lively times, yes, there were, in the “Mad House” on the Lincoln Road, in the Sixties.

The first Borough Council 1862 – elected, John Hall, 154 votes; John Anderson, 123; Grosvenor Miles, 112; W. Wilson, 109; W.D. Barnard, 98; Edward Reece, 89; John Barrett, 88; H.E. Alport, 80; G. Gould, 78; Defeated Mr Stringer &c. (not John Barrett of Burke’s Hotel. The J.B. was one of four brothers. He took what is now New Zealander from George Allen.) Mr John Hall (now Sir John) 1^st Chairman of Christchurch Municipality.

Benjamin Napthalie Jones was a man much after the build of Peter Cunningham, and was like him, fair with the same strong, energetic expression. He was a good all round actor, from burlesque to tragedy, ranting at times. He was later on Stage Manager of the biggest Sydney Theatres. He had an active bustling little wife, who also at one time used to take her share in the comical tragical business.

One of the theatrical damosels of the “sixties” was Miss Jennie Nye. Her peculiarities were a splendid development of leg, and a most determinedly prominent “conk”. “As big as Jenny’s nose” meant something out of the common. She was a nice dancer. Even at that time she was, well – no longer young.

Miss Dolly Green, the “evergreen” – Dolores Drummond – well, she also must be in the same category.

John Dunn was a merry jolly man, a sort of Paul Bedford. Ben Jones’ Lyttelton (Clarendon) was full of them