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Warwick Rothwell
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BiographyIn my days as a young child in the late 1940s early 50s visiting my Grandmother Mary Hephzibah McIntyre at 167 Tainui St in Greymouth I often used to see a huge man driving a horse that was pulling a big four wheeled wagon. Somewhere over time I learnt that his name was Warwick Rothwell. Warwick wore what I believe was a heavy long leather overcoat and sou wester type hat to protect him for the west Coast elements as he had no protection on the wagon to keep him from the weather. In addition to his coat and hat he carried a long whip which would have been in excess of 6 foot in those days, but over two metres today to keep the horse honest. His four wheeled wagon was constructed of heavy timbers set onto two motor vehicle axles fitted with car wheels and tyres. It has been mentioned that his wagon was painted green and in my minds eye I can picture it being a dark green. A set of scales hung off a curved metal arm and they danced about as he travelled about selling his vegetables to private homes all over Greymouth. He also had a shop in High Street south of the Recreation Hotel
It was also mentioned in Comments that in later years Warwick was caretaker at the local High school ContributorBrian McIntyre
It was also mentioned in Comments that in later years Warwick was caretaker at the local High school ContributorBrian McIntyre
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CommentsNeil Martin
Neil Martin Yep the vegie man with horse and cart
Trish Rennie
Trish Rennie Lived up by the butcher shop near the RSA
Brian McIntyre Thats my memory too Trish Rennie
Don Hutton
Don Hutton I do. He had a fruit and vege place in High St next to Fred Goodall's home (82 ?). He delivered / sold fruit, veges and even meat off his horse and cart in the 1940s and maybe 50s. He was a big red faced guy who often wore sou'wester rain gear on wet days. He gave kids rides on the horse.
Neil Martin
Neil Martin He lived with his sister at around about 14 Thompson st
Don Hutton
Don Hutton I think she was Merle and ran the shop while he did the door to door sales off the back of the cart.
Glenda Burt
Glenda Burt As i understand it Warwick's mother (Margaret Rothwell) and Meryl's Grandmother (Sarah Morris) were sisters.
Glenice Hansen
Glenice Hansen yes he had horse n cart a friendly big man
Trish Rennie
Trish Rennie Used to soak his cauliflowers in buckets of water to get the weight up....sold by the pound!!!!
Ann-maree Mclean The horses name was Dolly, he use to keep it in a section on Cowper Street. The fruit shop in Tainui Street next to Grooms butchery was run by Nell Trouland.
Malcolm Howell I remember Warwick and his vegetable cart. Merle ran the small Fruit & Vege shop a door or two south of the old Ford Motors in High Street. The Cart itself was of good solid construction with two big axles and 4 big road tyres. The Glenn brothers in High Street were always on the cart. The eldest lad (the hairdresser) was always driving the cart for Warwick. We used to ask Warwick if we could have a drive too. But it was always a firm "No - you have to be trained for that". We were most envious of the Glenn boys. After all, we had watched just as many Cowboy Movies as them and It looked so easy in the movies !!!!!
Neil Martin Yep the vegie man with horse and cart
Trish Rennie
Trish Rennie Lived up by the butcher shop near the RSA
Brian McIntyre Thats my memory too Trish Rennie
Don Hutton
Don Hutton I do. He had a fruit and vege place in High St next to Fred Goodall's home (82 ?). He delivered / sold fruit, veges and even meat off his horse and cart in the 1940s and maybe 50s. He was a big red faced guy who often wore sou'wester rain gear on wet days. He gave kids rides on the horse.
Neil Martin
Neil Martin He lived with his sister at around about 14 Thompson st
Don Hutton
Don Hutton I think she was Merle and ran the shop while he did the door to door sales off the back of the cart.
Glenda Burt
Glenda Burt As i understand it Warwick's mother (Margaret Rothwell) and Meryl's Grandmother (Sarah Morris) were sisters.
Glenice Hansen
Glenice Hansen yes he had horse n cart a friendly big man
Trish Rennie
Trish Rennie Used to soak his cauliflowers in buckets of water to get the weight up....sold by the pound!!!!
Ann-maree Mclean The horses name was Dolly, he use to keep it in a section on Cowper Street. The fruit shop in Tainui Street next to Grooms butchery was run by Nell Trouland.
Malcolm Howell I remember Warwick and his vegetable cart. Merle ran the small Fruit & Vege shop a door or two south of the old Ford Motors in High Street. The Cart itself was of good solid construction with two big axles and 4 big road tyres. The Glenn brothers in High Street were always on the cart. The eldest lad (the hairdresser) was always driving the cart for Warwick. We used to ask Warwick if we could have a drive too. But it was always a firm "No - you have to be trained for that". We were most envious of the Glenn boys. After all, we had watched just as many Cowboy Movies as them and It looked so easy in the movies !!!!!
West Coast New Zealand History (28th Jul 2017). Warwick Rothwell. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 23rd Sep 2026 20:02, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/20990