Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 168

Transcript

Some of the early versifiers were Mr Crosbie Ward, of the Lyttelton Times, who wrote a lot of amusing stuff about all sorts of local odds and ends, putting in some a good dash of humour. Then Mr C.C. Bowen, quite youthful, tried his prentice hand on daffodils and cowslips and such sentimental highfalution. Policeman X (Frank Valpy) in the sixties amused people with the doings of great politicians like Mr W. Williams & Co.

In the very early first four ship days, Mr J.E. Fitzgerald wrote a piece, set to music, about the Charlotte Jane – one of them.

Major Steward (then of Axup Steward & Bell) in the sixties wrote also some very touching poetry.

Policeman X (Frank Valpy) as a burlesque rhymer was good, but in his fun he put in many a home truth.

Charly Martin also had a style of his own, and some of his jingles were capital. Address to a “Lost Sun” – that was a long spell of wet weather, introducing Jack Birdsey and his shiny hat, Elsbee, the photo, Redman and his tilbury &c and other local celebrities.

Mr Mark P. Stoddart, of Diamond Harbour, also sent out a piece or two.