1960s Tonypg4

OLD & NEW TOWN BRIDGE 1964

In 1963 construction began on a two-lane bridge to replace the one -lane wooden bridge which had been over the Inangahua River since the early 1900’s. At one stage there was a “Bailey bridge”, over one span which used to make a loud clatter as cars and trucks crossed.

THE JUKE BOX

In the early 60’s, “The Juke Box”, was the place to ‘hang out’, if you were a teenager. The pre- Beatles teenagers used to copy the clothing and hairstyles of “Cliff” and “ Elvis”. However, quite abruptly, the fashion, especially for the boys, changed. The hair got longer, “Beatle boots” were ‘in’, and the “bodgie-look “was ‘out’. The music got louder with “Twist and Shout”, and ‘The Rolling Stones”. ‘I can’t get no satisfaction’, blasting across the road to Gray’s Butchers Yard beyond. Banks’s were in charge of ‘The Juke Box’, and the smell of fish and chips certainly made the mouth water.

SCHOOL OF MINES

The building - which still stands - was built in 1886 and has provided a series of functions, mostly for gold and coal miners, throughout the district and even further afield.
The mineral collection is comprehensive and varied. The exhibits were collected from the many mineral sites in the district and for many years was considered one of the best mineral collections in Australasia.
Jim Bolitho was the director for many years and was considered a genius in his field by many. It was during the 60’s that a boy was ‘volunteered’ by his father to be ‘the guinea pig’ for the miners First Aid test. It was taken by the local doctors - Drs. Heaphy,McKenzie,Hertnon or Twemlow. The poor lad was a volunteer for about five years and after a few years ,through sign-language, was able to demonstrate the fitting of a bandage or sling for such things as broken bones, arms or legs
On one occasion, when rescue breathing was practised, one rather bow-legged miner was asked to show on the boy,the position of the head before the ‘Breath of Life” was given. The poor lad’s neck was almost dismembered as the miner twisted it back - he was waiting for the ‘click’ that the mannequin made when they were practising. The doctor told him that on a human, that was a sign of the neck breaking!

DEBUTANTE BALLS

In the mid-60’s these balls were revived for a few short years, usually in conjunction with a church event. Planning went on for months - white veiled dresses were prepared for the girls, white shirts,tie, and a suit were worn by the boys,( mostly in their teens or early twenties). The Bishop of the day, Bishop Snedon or McKiefrey, was presented with the couple as part of the process. This was done at the Community Centre, and for Reefton this was quite a lavish affair.

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