Windsor & Richmond Gazette, Saturday, March 10, 1900 - page 1 THE "GREEN HILLS." Pubs, Breweries, Beer That Windsor folk enjoyed themselves in those "good old days," we have abundant proof in the number of public houses, for no doubt much of the enjoyment consisted in getting outside large quantities of beer and other fluids. It is an English fashion so to do, and, unfortunately, we bring too many of our "Home" customs with us. It has been variously estimated that Windsor has had at one time over 40, 32, 19, 17 public houses. True, there are now only seven in the town ; but the old hostelries attract one's notice at many points - and they tell me as plainly as words can speak "I was once an inn," and, roughly I can count no less than 16, without doubting for one moment the nature of the business once carried on in these old houses. Then there was the "old brewery" - and I confess to being sorry to see it lying low, for either as a brewery, or better still, a jam factory, it would have been more use to the town standing. It may have been built on too low ground, tho! ugh had ordinary care been taken of the fine old pile it might have been put to some good use for many a year. Anyway, the size of the old building as I knew it, and the fine stables at the rear, indicated a big business in tangle - and if such tipple be good for thirsty people and they will have it, better that it should be brewed on the spot. The existing hotels seem to be doing a fair thing, and I was glad to find, after a ten years' absence, three of the seven houses in the same hands, though I missed Mrs. Bushell at the "Royal" and Johnny Gough at the "Fitzroy." A Gloomy Town at Night The Early Closing fake operates against the town in a sense, though good must come of it. The absence of brilliantly lit shop windows, and but a sorry "glim" of light in the public lamps, do not tend to improve Windsor's streets o'nights, though on Saturday night I thought the old town looked much about the same as it did ten years ago. Some Improvements The improvements affected by Messrs. Beard and Greenwell, Mortley, Robertson, Holland, Pye and others, have materially improved the town's appearance, though, unfortunately, many of the old rookeries of my day are not only still standing, but even more disreputable than ever in their age and decrepitude. To speak plainly, the few improvements do not compensate for the ill effect produced by dilapidated hovels, which were better out of the way. All honour to the few that have improved their properties, and the buildings on the block known as the site of "Boston's fire" redeem that end of the town ; yet another fire would prove a public benefit, though may be a trifling loss to individuals. Windsor is not singular in this matter, for we find all of our older towns similarly affected. The Churches The churches look fairly well - the Wesleyan not so smart as I have seen it , but the Presbyterian very much better. St. Matthew's Church of England has certainly been greatly improved internally, and there is now an excellent opportunity for a few large hearted, amply endowed churchmen to add to the fine stained glass windows, and if money could be raised to remove that pepper-box attachment from the massive square tower and raise thereon a graceful spire, it would be much to the purpose. St. Matthew's is a fine old building, and Windsor churchmen should be proud of it. And that reminds me, within range of the clergyman's voice, is the grave of Andrew Thompson, the famous emancipist magistrate, who was specially favoured by Macquarie. Thompson was not ungrateful, for he left the Governor a considerable fortune - made out of usury, illicit traffic in rum, and other things no doubt - but for which we may forgive him, considering the times in which he lived. Macquar! ie certainly erected a tomb to his protégé's memory, and if he had left a sum of money in trust to keep it in good order one would not now see the stone lying prone and the inscription partially defaced. An attempt was made some years ago to shame the district magistrates into hoisting the ledger on its four legs (columns), but there it lies still, and a number of fairly well-to-do Justices of the Peace must know it. If Thompson was a person so iniquitous as to be unworthy of remembrance, let the stone stay where it is ; but many virtues have been ascribed to him which, when weighed against his vices, may balance in his favour. Besides, vice didn't die with Andrew Thompson, nor can we believe that the magistrates of the district since 1810 (the year of his death) had all been transcendently virtuous. Whether Windsor congregations have improved I can not say, though 25, all told, does not seem a large congregation for so roomy a building as the Wesleyans have. I remembe! r the Rev. Alfred Swift in 1872, 3 at Gulgong, and it occurs to me tha t two score and five persons is a small crowd for so good a man to preach to. The Presbyterians appear to do better - or was it only for the occasion ? - for the church was comfortably full. The singing was most pleasing, and the sermon such as one would expect from so capable a man as the Rev. C. A. White, B.A., Windsor, whatever it has been in the past, has been called "a religious town." If religion consists in going to church, then it is not a religious town ; for closing the public house door on Sundays, and being shut off from all the world for 36 hours (neither trains nor telegraphs) have had but little effect in stirring the people into religious activity. Of course, I do not say that people who do not go to church are irreligious, no more than I adjudge those vicious who clamour persistently for "a train both ways o'Sundays." In fact, I include in my scheme for recuperating Windsor, Sunday trains, with, or without, certain hours in the day being allotted for g! etting a drink at a pub. I am not a very great patron of "mine host," but I get thirsty on Sundays as well as other days. The buildings of the Catholic community have also undergone a great change. In the place of the lat Rev. John Hayes they have now a young parish priest, who has accomplished wonders. The church was beautified internally in the late priest's time, and also renovated outwardly. Since Father McDonnell came the Presbytery has been completely transformed, and is now a handsome and comfortable-looking structure. The Congregational body are without a minister, and in their little church there is no difference. The manse has been let to Mrs. Wilbow since the departure of the Rev. Thomas Moore, and a "Supply" is sent from Sydney to hold services. The School of Arts A small improvement has been made in the School of Arts ; the hall enlarged, also the platform, the plaster ceiling removed and wood substituted. Very good as far as they go, but more should be done. If the old building is to continue as a School of Arts, then it should be brought out to the alignment with a broad passage in the centre of the hall, with small rooms on either side for secretary and caretaker. Over these a second storey should be built, and the room so added should be the library. But the hall can never let to theatrical people until that semi-circular end is squared off, and plenty of depth given for stage purposes. This done, and two dressing rooms added - one on each side - the old building should be fairly useful. But would it be possible to sell the building and land, and with the proceeds, and a loan (to be borrowed on security of the new property) to build a modernized hall in a central position - say the corner opposite the Post Office ? O! f course, I do not know whether the present proprietor of that can sell ; if he can, and the price be not altogether outrageous, the venture I have suggested is well within the bounds of reason. Let us suppose such a building ; the hall, with modern stage proscenium and side dressing-rooms, to be in the centre, back from the street, and approached by a fine arched staircase at corner ; on the two frontages on George and Fitzgerald streets shops could be erected, and offices overhead. What an ornament to the town ! How advantageous to members ! What a saving of abuse to committee men ! What a throw in for the Borough Council ! How much better foe everybody ! Is there energy enough in Windsor to tackle such a job - faith and foresight enough to say, "Paul, old man, you are right ; we'll go into it with our coats off."