Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 273

Transcript

founded on truth. The original Home of the Press was in Parson Raven’s cottages, at the corner of Montreal St by the College. Mr F. was then in his prime and one of the finest natural speakers that I have ever heard. His flow of language, choice and unhesitating words were a pleasure to listen to, and his illustrations not above the heads of his hearers. Mr F. was at one time Superintendent and afterwards represented the Province in England. He was largely identified with immigration, and sent out the first Telegraph operator. Another idea of his was (as ironclad trains were lately in question) his ironclad machine to bring the gold from the Coast overland, when Hokitika broke out.

Policeman Sherman knows all about that for hadn’t he and others some nice rides “o’er the hills and far away” on the occasion. Their return to the City was a sight, and the Machines could be seen for some time after in Dock at the police barracks. But his great achievement was the “Circulating Medium”. It wasn’t a National Bank, or even one of Joe Hall’s coppers – brasseses [sic], I mean! (Do spell brass properly, for heaven’s sake) so connected with the revered memory of the late Mr Raphael. But it was a conveyance. It had wheels nearly the diameter of the City Mill grinder and a low body, roomy enough to hold a good share of Noah’s crowd. It was designed to meet the wants of a flat country. It used to amuse the youngsters with farmer Fitz driving out to the Springs. I do not know if it was patented. I don’t think it has ever been copied. No doubt Howland or Moor will know. As it stood, it was a notch above them. Mr F’s special aversion was Moorhouse and all his works.

To come back. The speaker was Mr Charles Bowen, father of the Hon. C.C. who was then Inspector of Police or something. Mr B. was an Irish gentleman, in the Encumbered estates line, remarkable for his dignified and unbending carriage and also a first class judge of a hack. He was always well mounted. Mr B.was rather pompous and not a man of much intellect, but as Speaker in the Chair he was superb. No Speaker of the Commons ever thought more of his office. The sonorous Order! When some member infringed on the due decorum of business was awful. There wasn’t a joke in him. “Mr D. – have you any – haw – Shuga – haw. I want – haw – some Shuga – haw – dark – haw – you know – haw – for the Servants – haw?” Mr B. was economical and did not like to instil luxurious ideas into servants – haw - and he generally had a new set out of every new ship.

Mr Leonard Harper then a fresh colored [sic] young fellow was Clerk to the Council. His father the Bishop came out with his family in 1856. After a year or two Mr Harper went home and was called to the Bar. On his return he joined the firm of Travers and Hanmer which has since through changes and death merged into the big firm in Hereford Street. Later on we had the West Coasters. They were a new element that confronted the Speaker. There was poor Basff – apeing [sic] the digger, [trimmed off ] jacket and belt. Then there was Cassius and Mr Whall and some others. They were the originals of Dick Seddon & co. Their theory was the entire superiority of the West Coast and its gold, to the humdrum sheep and corn people, of this slow going concern. They wouldn’t stand it, they would have separation, and they got it, and I never heard mortal man say that he was sorry that the [illegible] had been got rid of. Vain was the gold dream and no longer had they Canterbury, with its then rich land fund to sponge on.