THE BOATMAN

We must have that boat trip. The North Shore beckons with an alluring and impartial persistence, an invitation not to be ignored.

The day, with joyous sun-tipped breezes, invoking full freedom from restraint, banished all thought of care, occupations, and routine, leaving our faculties free to rest upon the immediate prospect of the expedition

Lime Burner's Creek afforded a good catch of flathead, and later efforts were rewarded by some of the whiting for which the Shore has earned a just repute.

The river and waters of the bay also present interesting and variable fishing possibilities.

A successful holiday to be properly fulfilled, needs but such simple diversions, given the necessary climate and surroundings, of which the Port carries an endless supply, and to encompass the experience is easier than borrowing a book from a friend, the scale of charges for the use of a Reckless boat by day or week being so modest.

Mr. R.W.Reckless, who builds his own boats and launches in his boathouse alongside the wharf, also owns some fine oyster leases from which the luscious edibles are continually subtracted to be despatched to many parts.

Oyster cultivation

I am interested in tracing descendants of the Reckless family (originally spelt Reckles and pronounced that way now)

Descendants of Robert Reckles

+Elizabeth Nicholson b:unknown m: 1862 Sydney d:unknown

...... 2 Robert Herbert Reckless b: 1863 Sydney d: Aft 1929

..........+Mary J Carr b: 1867 m: 1891 St. Leonards d: unknown

.............. 3 Robert William Reckless b: 1892 d: unknown

.............. 3 Herbert Robert Reckless b: 1895 d: unknown

.............. 3 Jennie Reckless b: 1900 St. Leonards d: unknown

.............. 3 Doris Reckless b: 1904 Port Macquarie

d: 3 Aug 1985 Lourdes Nursing Home, Port Macquarie

...........+Augustus H. Lawrence b: 1895 Port Macquarie m: 1934 North Sydney d: unknown

...... 2 Jane V L Reckless b: 1866 St. Leonards d:unknown

...... 2 Henrietta M Reckless b: 1868 St. Leonards d:unknown

...... 2 Albert M Reckless b: 1870 St. Leonards d:unknown

...... 2 Charlotte Elizabeth Reckless b: 1873 d:unknown

...... 2 James R Reckless b: 1875 St. Leonards d:unknown

...... 2 Elizabeth H C Reckless b: 1877 St. Leonards d:unknown

I was sent an excerpt from Charles Uptin's book "Port Macquarie - Growing Up!" (published 1996 Uptin Print PO Box 5015 Pt.Macquarie) in which the author speaks of local people falling into the water from the 'Long Bridge' which used to connect east and west Port Macquarie, these were often reported in his newspaper - he writes:

'Not reported were occasions when Dan Reckless ended up 'in the drink'. A world war 1 veteran with a steel plate in his skull, Dan wobbled when he walked, more so after a couple of beers and it wasn't newsworthy when word got out that Dan had 'gone in again' as he made his way home to West Port.'

An unflattering description I know, but a little excerpt like this gives the genealogist so many clues about Dan's medical history, his war service, the area he lived in and personality (the fact that he enjoyed the odd drink or two)