Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 041

Transcript

One of the most prominent men of Christchurch through all the fifties and sixties was William Wilson, a Scottish nurseryman, who had had large experience in the old country as a practical gardener, amongst others for the Earl of Rosse, of telescopic fame, at Parson’s Town, Ireland. Mr Wilson was in his prime a man of big, powerful mould, with a strong intellect and an immense flow of language. He was as a successful man of a somewhat arrogant disposition when so disposed and had when in those moods a biting insolent tongue. He was a power in electioneering affairs and was a determined supporter or enemy. He was unceasing in his advice to grow shelter trees, and proved the good of his advice by the full bearing fruit trees of every description and all sorts of ornamental trees in his nursery, in the fifties, covering the block from Edwards, Bennett & Co to Cashel St and Madras St. He became a very large land proprietor owning some of the very central Town Sections, such as the past Triangle block, the Empire block, &c. all bought early at small prices.

Mr Wilson was apt at repartee and could turn a joke. Witness on election day at Kaiapoi, where he was a candidate. On arrival in the morning he saw a pole at the bridge in the Township with a good headed cabbage at the top of it, intended by his opponents as a jeer at his well known familiar name. When evening came and the poll declared, returning thanks, he pointedly remarked “that he felt sure of winning, for had he not seen on his arrival in the morning, Cabbage at the head of the Poll.” Jack Hart, a butcher, often interrupted William, on one occasion mentioned the Cabbage growing business, and got “Yes, I sold cabbages. You sold mutton. I’ve gone up – You’ve gone down. This respectable and numerous meeting will not be interrupted by noisy and unsuccessful persons.”