It is not completely certain - but is supported by her eventual obituary - that the Elizabeth Langford on the passenger list of the Star of Tasmania, which left London for Port Chalmers on July 27, 1862, is the subject of this story. Her name appears on the list of assisted emigrants. If it is her, she wasted no time in making her mark on the town of Shotover, later to be known as Queenstown. In 1865 her name appears in connection with the Wakatip Hotel - a connection which would only be severed by death.
WAKATIP HOTEL,
Beach-street, Queenstown. E LANGFORD having purchased the above First-class Hotel from Mr Brookes, respectfully solicits a continuance of the support so liberally awarded to her predecessor. The accommodation offered to visitors is unexceptionable. Private Sitting and Bed-rooms. The Hotel will maintain its well-earned reputation. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 4/3/1865.
Elizabeth's story is slightly complicated by her being married and appearing in Court under her married name but running her hotel under her maiden name.
R. M. COURT, QUEENSTOWN.
6th December. (Before Richmond Beetham, Esq., R.M.)
Thomas Norrington appeared to show cause why the Court should not grant to his wife Elizabeth, protection under the Married Women's Act, for any earnings or property she might become possessed of, in consequence of his desertion.
After hearing the evidence of Elizabeth Norrington, the Bench felt it utterly impossible to grant the protection sought. According to the statement of the complainant, she had deserted her husband. He believed that she had honorably told the whole truth, but the Court could not strain the law to meet such a case, and would therefore dismiss it.
Elizabeth Norrington — I must apply to a higher Court.
Mr Beetham —You cannot appeal against the decision, but I will look into the Act, and see if I can give you any advice you require.
The defendant — I am willing, your Worship.
Mr Beetham — The case is dismissed — I can't hear you now.
(Afterwards the Court informed Mrs Norrington that they could not give any aid, and advised her to consult a solicitor of the Supreme Court). -Lake Wakatip Mail, 8/12/1866.
R. M. COURT, QUEENSTOWN.
November 19. (Before L. Broad, Esq., R.M.)
Sinclair McBeath was charged with illegally detaining a chest of drawers and three pictures, the property of E. Norrington. It was pointed out by the Bench that the information was not laid correctly. Complainant being a married woman, could not bring the action in her own name; in the eye of the law, the property belonged to the husband, and his wife could not lay the complaint unless authorised to do so as his agent. Mr Manders, who appeared for complainant, agreed to lay a fresh information. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 21/11/1867.
R. M. COURT, QUEENSTOWN. November 26.
(Before L. Broad, Efq., R.M.)
Sinclair McBeath was charged with illegally detaining a chest of drawers and three pictures, the property of Thomas Norrington. The action vas brought by the wife of complainant, as his agent.
E. Norrington deposed that she was owner of the drawers and three pictures in question. She last saw the drawers in Mr McBeath's store the previous day. They were lent to the late James McBeath nearly two years ago; were never sold to him. She had a conversation about them with Sinclair McBeath a week or two after his brother's death. Defendant said his brother had told him they were hers, and she could have them when she liked to send for them. Several persons were present at the time. She sent draymen for them, but they returned without them. Had seen the pictures at defendant's store less than 12 months ago.
W. G. Huff deposed he heard the conversation about the drawers and pictures between plaintiff and defendant in the store. The defendant's brother William was also there. In answer to a question from Mrs Norrington defendant said his brother James had told him the drawers belonged to her. She then asked for them, and he said he would like them to be left for a week or two, after which she could have them.
S. McBeath pleaded that he had only his deceased brother's word, who stated that he had bought the drawers from complainant.
His Worship considered the evidence of the two witnesses showed sufficiently that defendant had admitted the drawers were the property of Norrington, and also that he (defendant) had promised to return them. An order was made accordingly that the drawers be returned within 48 hours, or £l0 compensation be paid into Court. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 28/11/1867.
In 1868, Mr Norrington is gone from Queenstown, and Elizabeth is still connected with the Wakatip Hotel, under her maiden name of Langford.
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.
TO THE EDITOR.
A CORRECTION.
Sir, — Re Fitt v. myself. — You do me an injustice in your report of this ease, and I think your reporter must have been dreaming. Mr Beetham very correctly stated the case. I did supply 2s worth of brandy, but not two bottles as your report alleges. I would not have done so. I could not give evidence, and therefore my version of the case was not heard. I deny that I took the ring in pledge for drink, but the plaintiff owing me so much money did send me a common gold ring, so as to induce me to extend further assistance to her. I regret that I did so, but the ingratitude of this suffering individual hardly deserves further notice. The crime would have been venial had I given two bottles of brandy for a ring.— I have, etc.,
E. Norrington. Wakatip Hotel, 13th September, 1875.
Sir, — Will you be kind enough to correct two mistakes which appeared in the last issue of your paper, in the case — Fitt v. Norrington. 1st. You reported the ring in dispute was not my property, which was a great error on your side. 2nd. You published the ring was pledged for two bottles of brandy, which was only pledged for two shillings' worth. By correcting this in next issue you will oblige.
—Yours, &c., Elizabeth Fitt. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 16/9/1875.
Thomas Norrington, a strolling fiddler, is supposed to have been drowned on 13th May, whilst journeying from Waimangaroa to Westport along the beach, on foot. The Wareata Creek was flooded at the time, and it is supposed that in attempting to ford it he was drowned, and washed out to sea. A portion of a fiddle, which is believed to have belonged to him, has been found on the beach. -Evening Post, 30/5/1876.
Another very old town resident, Mrs Norrington, nee Elizabeth Langford, landlady of the Wakatip Hotel, died at Invercargill on Monday morning last. The deceased was one of the first of her sex who arrived here in the days when the Wakatip was more familiarly known as the Shotover. She was a good citizen, always warmly supporting every movement that had the good of the district at heart. She also performed many generous acts privately, and the distressed rarely appealed in vain to her, The patients of the Wakatip Hospital have lost a steady friend whose baskets of good things were so acceptable. Until illness laid its hand on her she was a constant visitor at that institution, and her visits were always welcome ones. Her life is full of romance. Her husband was recently drowned fording a river on the West Coast goldfields of this Island. She died at Invercargill from dropsy but her body could not be removed for interment to the Cemetery here. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 30/11/1876.
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