Item 04: Memoirs of a Colonial Boy by Robert Joseph Stewart, ca. 1971 - Page 75
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[Page 75]
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the "left overs".
Boxing Day was customarily a day for afternoon picnics, when those who possessed horses and sulkies, or buggies, drove a few miles out of town to a shady spot on the Billabong Creek, and did not return until after sundown.
On the Boxing Day of 1908, in Sydney, Tommy Burns (the "white hope") fought the American negro Jack Johnson, who was much bigger, for the World Heavyweight Boxing title, which Burns held. The promoter was a local showman, Hugh D. McIntosh, and he built the big covered stadium at Rushcutter Bay specially for this contest. It was the first time that a World Championship boxing bout had been held in Australia, and the first time that a coloured man won the title. Burns was mockingly taunted by Johnson and was hopelessly beaten. Spectators came from all parts of the globe, and McIntosh made a fortune.
Another auspicious event, earlier that year, was the first visit of the United States Pacific Fleet to Sydney on a goodwill mission. It comprised ten large battleships with distinctive latticed circular masts, and several cruisers and auxiliary vessels. The visit lasted for a few weeks and the "doughboys" became a common sight in the city's streets: many citizens entertained them inside and outside of their homes. Special cheap excursion trains were run from inland towns to encourage country people to come and join the welcoming crowds.
Parkes had one long wide shopping street, named Clarinda, this being the Christian name of the wife of the State Premier after whom the town was renamed, Sir Henry Parkes, a white-bearded very colourful personality. The main street was crossed at right angles by Court St, which led up to the Post Office and the splendid new brick and stone Court House, both in Currajong St, which was lined with the so-called Cedar trees, not Currajong trees. Court St continued up the hill, past the little wooden Presbyterian Church and brick Manse, to branch at the top into Wellington and Orange Roads, which passed through open country about a quarter of a mile farther on.
Most of the shops were the flimsy weatherboard survivals of