"TOPPED THE CENTURY." MR. JAMES HONEY. CELEBRATION OF 101st BIRTHDAY.
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Tuesday 3 July 1923 p 7 Article Illustrated
MR. JAMES HONEY.
CELEBRATION OF 101st BIRTH-
DAY.
When Mr. James Honey arrived at Hobart (then Hobart Town), on May 1, 1825, what is now Walch's Corner was the site of a small weatherboard hotel, and from there it was but a short walk into thick bush. Elizabeth-street, now always a scene of bustle, reflecting, as it does, the activities of a city of 50,000 people, was then a very poor road, and the usual mode of conveyance was the bullock dray, which it was not uncommon to see axle deep in mud and slush in the main thoroughfare's.
Yesterday Mr. James Honey celebrated his 101st birthday, and many old residents of the city in whom he took a fatherly interest 40 years ago, visited him at 14 Colville-street to pay their respects and wish him "many happy returns!" The assurance he gave an interviewer that he was quite well and hearty was scarcely needed, for he looked better than many men do at the age of 70. He gives a hearty handshake, and looks at one through clear eyes.
His conversation shows nmistakably that the march of years has left him with a brain almost as efficient, and a memory as good as they were 50 years ago. He cats and drinks well, and apart from an occasional attack of rheumatism in the left leg, enjoys excellent health. With the aid of a stick he is able to visit his neighbours occasionally. His outlook on things generally is cheerful. Tasmania, he thinks, is the finest State in the Commonwealth, and has a great future.
Mr. Honey entered the Imperial Commissariat Department in Hobart on January 1, 1835, under Deputy Commissary-General Maclean, and left the Imperial service about
1896. He is said to be one of the last of the officials under the old military regime in Australia. He served two years, 1853 and 1845, at Norfolk Island. Most of his service was in the capacity of cashier, and a considerable
amount of money passed through his hands, for the soldiers and civil servants had to be paid. One of the sources of revenue was from the hiring out of convicts. For some time prior to his retirement he acted as paymaster of Imperial pensions. He is, of course, in receipt of a pension from the British War Office. Mr. Honey has two sons,
Messrs. M. P. and W. Honey, and one daughter, Mrs. E. Thomas, of 14 Colville-street, with whom he lives.
Many and varied have been Mr. Honey's experiences and adventures, which he discusses lucidly. "I was born at Rochester, Kent, England," said Mr. Honey, "and came out to Tasmania
in a large East Indiaman. The voyage occupied 10 months. All my fellow passengers have died long since. Copper coloured aborigines roamed about the streets seeking food and drink.
They all carried spears in their hands, and the young fellows of the town discovered that it was best to leave them severely alone, for when they got one of their tormentors alone their revenge took the form of throwing stones on the feet of the unfortunate white man.
Sometimes they severely crushed their feet. ' It was the convicts who teased them most."
His reminiscences include stirring stories of the bushrangers who roamed about Tasmania in the early days. He recalls experiences he had with the notorious Martin Cash and another daring individual known as "Rocky" Whelan, so named because of his ability to scale the steep cliffs at Norfolk Island.
"I hope," said the interviewer, on taking his departure yesterday, "that I will be able to come and see you on July 2 next year."
"You never know," Mr. Honey replied with a smile; "anyway, if I'm not here I'll be, well-elsewhere!"