History – Letter from the gumfields

Albertland had its fair share of gumdiggers when gum was a valuable commodity. As fields worked out some men tried their luck elsewhere. Here are excerpts from a letter written by Stan Rogers to Harold Marsh when he and his mates were in the far north field at Hohoura. It gives a vivid and rather hilarious description of their life. Jack Riley was a well-known Albertland identity, and spent his last days retired on the banks of the Opou Creek. Jack McDonald was another local man much in demand for musical evenings, being an excellent violinist. Henry Sefton was killed in WWI.

Hohoura – July 1904

Dear Harold

Something struck me funny so I thought I would write you a few lines, as I haven’t heard from you or anything about you all up that way for a long time, how does that strike you, comical I expect, anyhow we are all well up here at present hoping this will find you & all the rest of my friends in Wharehine in good health & spirits.

There are four of us up here Riley, Henry, Jack & myself, & bye the bye Riley has a motor car & all hands on the field sings out ‘how’s the motor-car getting along?’ It is all right while its going, but when out he feels the cold slightly & gently does a promenade to the first chimney with a fire on, & that’s Henry’s as he is his next door neighbour.

We had a dreadful storm when coming up to Hohoura & had to put in to Whangarei Heads for shelter for a day & night, there was a spray flying about & a few of us felt the swell very much, especially the females.

We were not sorry when we reached Hohoura, & to make things worse there was a concert the 2nd night we stayed there. We reckoned on getting to bed early on account of not having any sleep the night before as the cook & waitresses were all boozing a bit with a few Austrians who got the stuff for them. We could hear them breaking the necks of the bottles & you know the rest. Well, the concert & dance came to a close about ½ past 2 o’clock & then the blokes came down to the pub & a chap by the name of Neil McLeod had a set of bag-pipes & they had him playing from then till day-break, so you can form some idea of how we managed to squeeze a little sleep out.

No fruit up here of any kind under 1/- a lb outrageous price, there is plenty of gum up here but you have to handle it very carefully as it is all rubbish mostly, & the good gum scarce. There is a fair demand at present for this class of gum, otherwise we would do very little, as it is we’re not doing too well the weather being against us lately. 

We have a chap in the camp plays the cornet & it goes all right too, he plays it most every night, one has an accordion & can’t play for anyone to listen to. The rest of the boys wish to be remembered to all up that way, hoping you are all well up your way at present, as we are all well. I will come to a close by wishing you all good night.

From your old friend and wellwisher

Stanley Rogers E T

Mark your calendar Saturday, 28 May, 1.30 pm. The annual Albertlanders Celebrations will take place at the Port Albert Hall. The programme will include a screening of the new DVD The Albertland Gumdiggers and Paul Campbell’s sneak preview of his new publication Images of Albertland, a compilation of Harold Marsh’s classic photographs. Entry $5 adults, $1 children, which includes afternoon tea. In the evening, the show May Music and Mayhem Party kicks off at 7.30pm. Tickets $20 head. Contact Barbara Lane on 423 8187. This is a fundraising dance and supper for the 150th Albertlander Celebrations.