History – The life of a Warkworth ‘stirrer’

Working in the Warkworth & Districts Museum archives is full of surprises. Recently, while researching the history of one of Warkworth’s distinctive concrete houses, I was distracted by the story of Thomas Walker, an early Warkworth citizen.

He came to New Zealand in 1886 on the S S Ruapehu, found work as a lime-worker with John Wilson & Co, and quickly became involved in the Warkworth community.

The minute book of the Lime-workers Union, now in the Museum archives, records meetings held in the Warkworth Public Library. A union was formed with Thomas Walker being the first president and H B Moore as secretary and treasurer.

In 1901 a letter was sent to the company asking for higher wages and better working conditions. Nathaniel Wilson’s hand-written reply declining all requests covered more than four pages. He conceded that the work was often difficult and unpleasant but could not agree that it was unhealthy. As for the suggestion that some employers paid for holidays, the company would not consider such a measure.

Fortunately for Thomas Walker there was an alternative, as in his youth he had spent some years in the saddlery trade in Newcastle-on-Tyne. He purchased the business of Mr Warin Snr and set up shop in the building next to the town bridge.

If Mr Walker were alive today he might be considered a stirrer. It was written of him that he equally gave and received the hard knocks of controversy and this led to the little saddler’s shop becoming a hub of the town where contentious issues were debated while all the while saddles and harness equipment were expertly hand-sewn and completed to customers’ orders. Situated as it was opposite the stables and coach depot, and close to the blacksmith, it would have been a busy place.

On a day like any other in December 1913 Thomas Walker plied his trade and in the evening attended a Freemason’s meeting where he was thanked for doing up the member’s regalia. He replied expressing the hope that the brethren may long be spared to wear their regalia. The next time it was worn was at his funeral as he had barely reached home that night when he collapsed and died.

Warkworth had lost one of its leading citizens who was active on school committees, a Town Board member, a brass band enthusiast, and chairman of a newly formed Co-operative Society.

As for the little saddler’s shop, it was soon taken over by Mr T H Boardman who advertised his address as “T Walker’s old shop next to the bridge”. With more cars appearing on the roads it was necessary to diversify, and motor trimming, side curtains, and hood repairs became part of the trade description. What on earth were Rideasy Spring Gaiters?

Older folk will remember Mr A Hoysted who was fated to be the last owner of the saddlery shop. He liked to remind schoolchildren passing on their way to school to behave well as he supplied their teachers with new straps. Eventually even these were not required but by then the old colonial building had housed several other businesses before being replaced by a more modern structure.