Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 164

Transcript

In the middle fifties there was no accommodation house from the Plough at Riccarton until you reached the South Branch of the Selwyn where G.A. Parlby kept a shanty, a makeshift one. Parlby was a singular looking individual all legs and wings, legs at angles and a funny long face. He was active and untiring and simply stuck to a horse’s back. Then you went on to the Rakaia, where William Dunford had the Ferry and House. The Ferry was an important institution in those days, for attempting to ford the Rakaia, excepting the branches, was about as good as drowning. Dunford, who was said to have been an English shepherd, was a grand ferryman, and immovable when his experience told him that attempting to cross spelt Danger to life. For the Rakaia was, and is, no plaything. However, William White the Bridge builder, tackled it.

A year or two later Turton opened a House at the Ashburton. In passing, it may be mentioned, that the mouth of the Ashburton was occasionally used by small craft, but it was risky, and never became a settled traffic. On to the Hinds, where John Hayhurst had an accommodation House, then nothing till the Rangitata where people were generally made welcome by the Scotch shepherds on Sir C. Wilson’s run.

The accommodation houses held their licenses on conditional tenure. Must keep hay &c on the premises and oats, and not sell above certain prices &c

Robson James Main, opened 1^st accomm House at “Weedons” Stableman