Dibsell, William, active 1870s-1880s

Date: 1881

From: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Australasian views [New Zealand scenes] [ca 1880]

By: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908

Reference: E-052-q-008

Description: A river in the foreground, with a pontoon-type ferry holding men and horses crossing it. A paddle-steamer and another boat to the left. Across the river are tents and a number of huts with a steep hill to the right. Shows the Waihou River with Dibsell's Landing at the foot of Rolleston Street, Te Aroha Reproduced in: New Zealand's heritage, (1970), part 20, p. 558, with title Riverside settlement with tents and huts and a horse being ferried across the river The landing, on the banks of the Waihou River in Te Aroha, was thought to be originally a crossing place used by Maori. A Mr William Dibsell, an employee of Josiah Clifton Firth, established himself at the landing in 1879 and opened a general store and a licensed house of accommodation. A Mr Everitt later established a punt crossing here, then moved the crossing to the foot of Bridge Street, Te Aroha, with a punt large enough to take across a wagon and team of horses. Other Titles - Riverside settlement with tents and huts [former title] A photograph of the same spot taken about 1881 by Foy Brothers, of Thames, has the central building identified as the Waihou Hotel. The photograph comes from the Firth Family Collection MS Papers 1491 Folder 7 (negative 1/2-111449, copy in Turnbull Library Pictures under 15. Piako Co. Te Aroha) Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and Chinese white on paper 137 x 200 mm mounted into sketchbook