Page:Charleston • Irwin Faris • (1941).pdf/83

 line." It was erected in January, 1873.

Walter Abernethy—right gazetted 31st March, 1874, for a punt service at end of Bentham Street. He transferred this right to Hans Larsen in November, 1875.

Jack Reid and Jack Pascoe were early punt-owners.

John Hale owned and worked a punt on the south side of the river, at “McPaddons.” He also ran an accommodation house on the Westport side. He transferred to Hans Larsen.

Philip McEnroe—on north side. His punt was constructed from two of the old cargo-barges (Reuben Waite’s) fastened together and provided with a platform. He later owned the Shamrock Hotel and a store at Addison’s Flat. A punt was also operated by one McCann.

In addition to rowing boats and punts (barges attached by wire ropes and pulleys to an overhead cable, and propelled by the river current) at least two steam launches plied on the ferry; John Martin’s Terrier and Hans Larsen’s Moss Rose. These, however, were used principally for carrying workmen and supplies to the railway construction works. They also towed barges laden with rails, engines, coal, and other heavy freights. The Addison’s Flat road had been contemplated as early as 1869, and on 9th June, 1870, a petition for same was presented to the Provincial Council, and a grant of £2,000 obtained. It was not until 1873 that work was started upon it, and not until 1874 that it was completed, though the section from Westport to Addison’s Flat was finished earlier than the portion thence to Charleston.

On 31st March, 1869, Mr. J. Henry Lowe, District Engineer of Goldfields, referring to this road, stated: “A road has been made from Charleston to Brown’s Terrace on the way to Shamrock Lead; a distance of about five miles of open pakihi divides the two. This formed, the road would be complete in a direct line from Packers’ Point to Charleston. The advantages of this route would be a shorter distance than the present road by the beach. Secondly, a good road, independent of tides; and, thirdly, the connection of many districts lying between Westport and Charleston, with both towns.” It will be noticed that Mr. Lowe contemplated the road being made from Packers’ Point; not from Snag Falls.