Memories Of The Battle Of Newport
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday November 26, 1987
FEBRUARY 14, 1892, and another sun-sprinkled Sunday in Newport. The paddle steamer City of Grafton hove to the wharf and deposited its gaggle of day trippers from Sydney Town.
Among the crowd were members of rival "pushes" from The Rocks, Woolloomooloo and Darlinghurst, up for what had become a regular afternoon's boozing and brawling. They were greeted on this day by an unusual welcoming committee - two towering boxers, one black, one white, going by the names of"Black" Brooks and "Big" Jim Bolton. These formidable pugilists had been hired by Thomas Hodges, a former policeman who managed the Newport Hotel, to discourage the larrikins from rampaging through the tiny community. Brooks and Bolton could not contain them, however, and the gangs raided an orchard before moving to the pub. There, above the sound of smashing glasses, Hodges and a bouncer, Jack Castlemaine, called for order. They were ignored. The fists began to fly and the arrival of Brooks and Bolton, chunks of four-by-two clasped in their hands, carried the day for the locals. The Battle of Newport had been won.
Rorke's Drift it might not have been, but it was a significant episode in Newport's history. It is one of many recounted in a recently published book written by local historian, Mr Guy Jennings. The Newport Story, 1788-1988, is the result of two years' research by the 43-year-old schoolteacher and contains chapters on everything from local characters to events of historical moment. Dozens of evocative photographs illustrate its 115 pages, recalling Newport's growth from tiny rural township to prime Sydney real estate. Published in collaboration with local businessman Mr Peter O'Mara, The Newport Story has sold 1,500 copies since publication. The book retails at $12.95 in bookshops and newsagents between Palm Beach and Manly. Pictures from The Newport Story.
© 1987 Sydney Morning Herald
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