Page:Gillespies Beach Beginnings • Alexander (2010).pdf/89



The previous account concentrates mainly on those who stayed in the Fox Glacier area and were responsible for its development. The following information may be of assistance to future genealogists who wish to follow up their lineage, particularly among those descended from the female line. As already stated, it is the men in these marriages about whom most is known. The female offspring of Laurence and Margaret Sullivan were housewives and not notable, with perhaps one or two exceptions, for achievements outside the all-important family. They were, however, the greatest contributors, working behind the scenes, to the social development of all the small communities where they lived, exerting a civilising influence and stability for which they seldom achieved recognition.

When Henry Williams left Gillespie’s in 1894, he taught at the school in Stafford for four years before going on to become Assistant Master at the Hokitika District High School. Following retirement in 1918, the family moved to Wellington, where he was approached by the Rector of St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, to teach there which he did for a number of years. He was still buying land at Fox Glacier as late as 1912, worked by his brother, Fred. At what stage his brother, Fred, acquired his land holdings isn’t clear, but Henry did not return to South Westland to live or work.

There are reports that, in earlier times he often acted as Master of Ceremonies at the annual dances or balls held at Weheka, usually preceded by a race meeting or sports day. In these years and into the following decades on the Coast, the Master of Ceremonies ensured that everything ran smoothly and everybody got to dance. Music wasn’t sophisticated - a concertina or piano often filled the role. It was considered extremely bad manners for anybody to dance with the same person all evening, exceptions being the opening waltz, supper and last dance. Everybody knew how to dance polkas,