KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE - PAEANS TO LOST GLORY - BY BRIDGET WHITE

ABOUT HE BOOK : “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” by Bridget White.

A nostalgic book on KGF the Little England 

 Available on Amazon and other online book stores. Get a copy today.

Kolar Gold Fields, affectionately known as KGF had a very sizable European and Anglo-Indian population who lived and worked there for generations. Messrs. John Taylor and Sons a British Mining Company owned the K G F Mines for more than a century since 1852. It was well known for its Colonial ambience with elegant bungalows replete with huge gardens, green lawns, and many Clubs with Tennis and Badminton courts, Golf courses, Dance Halls, Swimming Baths, etc. It was called “Little England” and was unique for its secular and egalitarian society not found anywhere else in the world.

It was one of India’s earliest industrialized towns, which had electricity supplied to it from a captive power plant, good water supply, well-equipped hospitals, schools, etc. The 19^th and the early 20^th century saw the KGF mines booming and flourishing and it employed almost 4500 employees in its hey days. In what was once a desolate, waste, rocky terrain, a large and flourishing town sprang up which was provided with most of the conveniences and comforts of life at that time. All this was possible due to the perseverance and foresight of a group of British pioneers who were successful in their quest for gold.

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” undertakes a nostalgic journey right from the days of the origins of the Kolar Gold Mines, its historical and mythological connections, the arduous and difficult lives of the miners in those early days, the growth of the mines under the British Company of John Taylor and Sons, its gradual decline, and the ultimate closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company in 2003 after it was taken over by the Government of India. Thus ending a golden chapter in History, which now lies buried in the annals of time. 

It then moves on to give the reader a brief insight into the lives of the Anglo-Indian Community (a living legacy of the British Raj) in the early days of KGF. It brings out vividly the glorious and cosmopolitan life led by that tiny vibrant community in KGF who lived in sprawling bungalows with beautiful gardens and domestic helpers at their beck and call. It recalls the grand Christmas Balls and Dances held at the Skating Rink and the Jam Sessions and Pound Parties in Buffalo Lodge.

It finally focuses on the author’s own childhood memories of growing up as a young Anglo-Indian child in KGF in the 1950s and 60s - home, family, school, playmates, entertainments, games, picnics, etc. It recalls memories of old familiar haunts and landmarks of KGF and the people who were an indispensable part of life in those days. This golden period of KGF post Independence was the period of transition, when the influences of the best of old Colonial India merged with the new emerging independent India.

 “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane”  succeeds in capturing and preserving for posterity the nuances and ethos of a bygone era in that once glorious vibrant place called Kolar Gold Fields, and at the same time keeps it alive in the hearts of its erstwhile inhabitants, which still beats for it. 

This book is a legacy that sgould be passed on to the next generation who have no idea of what KGF was like in the early days. 

#kolargoldfields #bridgetwhite #KGF #kolargoldfieldsdownmemorylane #kgfthelittleengland #kgf

EGG SELLER or THE EGG MAN

One of my fondest memories of my childhood in KGF, is that of the Egg Man or the Egg Seller The Egg man would come around door to door to sell fresh Country Hen Eggs to people. He had his own regular customers who he visited on specific days. He lived in a village near the Volagamadhi Hills and he’d walk the distance from his village to all the four mines in KGF where he visited his regular customers on specific days in each mine.

The Egg man began his journey every day with around 150 fresh hen’s eggs that he sourced from all the houses in his own village. He carried the eggs carefully in a huge round basket with a long handle which he hung from his shoulder. The handle of the basket was wrapped with a thick cloth which acted as a cushion on his shoulder so that the heavy basket didn’t hurt his shoulder. The old man’s back was almost bent over from the weight of the basket that he carried.

He supplied eggs to our house in Nandydroog once a week i.e. on every Tuesday morning. The first thing he did,  was to carefully lower the basket to the ground and then take out the eggs one by one and place them gently in a big bowl or basin of water, which the Ayah brought out as soon as he arrived.

We children would all crowd around him and watch eagerly to see whether the eggs he placed in the bowl would sink and lie flat at the bottom or rise up. The eggs that lay flat were the good eggs and the ones that rose up in the water were bad so they were immediately segregated and the good eggs were placed carefully in another bowl.

 Every time a bad egg was detected and put aside, the Egg Man’s face would grow longer, as this meant that he wouldn’t get paid for the bad eggs! The price would be then arrived at for the number of eggs that were bought. My Mum usually bought about 3 dozen eggs to see us through the week till his next visit.

These country fowl’s eggs were always smaller than the Leghorns Eggs and also a darker brown in colour. Eating country fowl’s eggs was considered to be healthy and more nutritious than the ‘Farm Eggs’ so my mum always ensured that there was a supply of fresh country hen’s eggs  in the house for us.

This is an excerpt from my book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE

BOOK READING SESSION ON KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE

 BOOK READING SESSION

SELECT BOOK SHOP on Brigade Road, has organized a Book Reading Session by Bridget White on her book “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane – Paeans to lost glory”, on Saturday 8th October 2011 at 5 PM

Bridget White-Kumar was born and brought up in Kolar Gold Fields, a small mining town in the erstwhile Mysore State which was famous for its Colonial ambiance. This book is a small attempt on her part to record for posterity, the history and way of life of the old Kolar Gold Fields.

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane - Paeans to lost glory”,  undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years, right from the days of the origins of the Kolar Gold Mines, its historical and mythological connections, the growth of the mines under the British Company of John Taylor and Sons till the ultimate closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company in 2003. Thus ending a golden chapter in History, which now lies buried in the annals of time. It then moves on to give the reader a brief insight into the lives of the Anglo-Indian Community in the early days of KGF and finally focuses on the author’s own childhood memories of growing up as a young Anglo-Indian child in KGF in the 1950s and 60s.

The book succeeds in capturing and preserving for posterity the nuances and ethos of a bygone era in that once glorious vibrant place called Kolar Gold Fields, and at the same time keeps it alive in the hearts of its erstwhile inhabitants, which still beats for it.

The book is priced at Rs. 260.00 per copy

Venue:   The Select Book Store

               71, Brigade Road Cross

               Bangalore 56001

               (Landmarks: Near Prabhu Digitals and Victory Dry Cleaners)

            

Time:     5.00 PM

Contact:  25580770 / 30521906

Review in THE BANGALORE MIRROR

Review of my book on KGF - KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE in the Bangalore Mirror

Kolar Gold Fields Down Memory Lane - A Nostalgic Book on KGF - Author Bridget White

This book “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane - Paeans to Lost Glory” has been authored by me as a tribute to KGF and the happy and sublime childhood I spent there.

KGF also known as the Little England was Heaven on earth for those of us who had the privilege of living there. We were special people living in that very special place.

My book succeeds in capturing and preserving for posterity the nuances and ethos of a bygone era. It is a small attempt on my part to record for posterity, way of life in that once glorious vibrant place called Kolar Gold Fields and at the same time keep it alive in the hearts of its erstwhile inhabitants, which still beats for it. It is a small legacy that could / should be passed on to future generations.


For copies of this "Must Have" Book on our beloved KGF, please contact me: Bridget White Kumar
Tel (0091) 080 25504137 / 9845571254 / 9844044236
bridgetkumar@yahoo.com / bidkumar@gmail.com
ABOUT THE BOOK

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane - Paeans to Lost Glory”undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years right from the days of the origins of the Kolar Gold Mines, its historical and mythological connections, the arduous and difficult lives of the miners in those early days, the growth of the mines under the British Company of John Taylor and Sons, its gradual decline, and the ultimate closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company in 2003 Thus ending a golden chapter in History, which now lies buried in the annals of time.


It then moves on to give the reader a brief insight into the lives of the Anglo-Indian Community (a living legacy of the British Raj) in the early days of KGF. It brings out vividly the glorious and cosmopolitan life led by that tiny vibrant community in KGF who lived in sprawling bungalows with beautiful gardens and domestic helpers at their beck and call. It recalls the grand Christmas Balls and Dances held at the Skating Rink and the Jam Sessions and Pound Parties in Buffalo Lodge.

It finally focuses on the author's childhood memories of growing up as a young Anglo-Indian child in KGF in the 1950s and 60s - home, family, school, playmates, entertainments, games, picnics, etc. It recalls memories of old familiar haunts and landmarks of KGF and the people who were an indispensable part of life in those days. This golden period of KGF post Independence was the period of transition, when the influences of the best of old Colonial India merged with the new emerging independent India.

MINERS STATUE NEAR FIVE LIGHTS - KGF

The Five Lights Lamp Post now has a picturesque landscaped garden maintained by the Bharat Earth Movers Limited around it complete with a beautiful fountain. The garden is resplendent with green lawns and beautiful flowering plants unlike the rest of KGF which is otherwise dry and brown. They have also installed a statue of a miner with a power drill in his hand in the garden as a tribute to all the miners who worked in KGF.

The Bharat Earth Movers Limited have taken over the Nandydroog Mine Workshops close to the Five Lights to manufacture rail coaches and are providing employment to quite a few youngsters in KGF. This part of KGF looks prosperous and well maintained.

Gymkhana Ground in Oorgaum KGF

 

 

 

The Gymkhana Ground in Oorgaum is close to the First Grade College and the Oorgaum Post Office.

It was the only Stadium in KGF where all the Sports meets and big Political Meetings were held.

During the days of the British, the Gymkhana Ground was used for Equestrian and Horse racing events as well as for Polo and Hockey matches.

Even in those days, the Gymkhana Ground was the only huge ground with a single covered stadium in the whole of KGF.

OORGAUM DAIRY - KGF

Fresh pasteurized Milk was supplied to every mining house, every morning by the Mining Oorgaum Dairy in glass pint bottles sealed with a foil lid with the date embossed on it. It was left on our door steps by Four O’clock in the morning. The milk supplied by the Diary was fresh and creamy. As children we all grew up on this milk. The Oorgaum Dairy had its own herd of healthy Jersey Cows and a separate section for pasteurizing the milk. The whole operation was carried on in a very hygienic way and when I was young I remember that Mr. King, an officer of the Company was in charge of the Oorgaum Dairy. The Milk from this dairy was supplied to the whole Mining area. I still remember the cold milk, Ice creams and milk shakes we enjoyed at the Oorgaum Dairy that was just opposite to the Bombay Camp Cricket Grounds. Sadly the Oorgaum Dairy is also now closed.

KGF CRICKET TOURNAMENTS 1947-48

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE OORGAUM 'A' TEAM WHO WERE OVER ALL WINNERS OF THE LEAGUE AND KNOCK OUT CRICKET TOURNAMENTS FOR THE 1947-48 AND 1948-49 SEASONS.

This photograph was also sent to me by Mr Roger Shrimpton from Mr Walker's Collection

St Joseph's Convent , Champion Reefs, KGF -- Rock Burst of 23rd Jan 1592 - The School Building was razed to the ground

I'm reproducing below an account from the official website of St Joseph of Tarbes Bangalore about the THE HISTORY OF ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT IN CHAMPION REEFS KGF, regarding the Rock Burst of 23rd Jan 1952 which completely destroyed the Church and the Convent and  School. These are the Links 

http://www.sjtbangalore.in/k-g-f-champion-reefs.html 

 http://sjtbangalore.org/champion-reefs.html 

AN UNEXPECTED CALAMITY

In the early 1950s, Fr Alexander D'Sa was the Parish Priest of St Mary's Church in Champion Reefs; Fr Gracian was the assistant and Fr Joseph Rajappa was the Head Master of St Mary's (Parish) Boys' High School. Early in the morning on the 23rd of January 1952, Fr Rajappa (late Bishop Rajappa of Kurnool), had just completed Holy Mass in the Church and all the people had gone out. The Sisters were still in the Chapel praying the Divine Office, when there was a loud sound. The buildings came crumbling down. A Rock Burst! All the Sisters were trapped under the debris.Fortunately, the Sisters' cook, a young girl, with ready presence of mind, kicked opens the door from the outside. The Sisters crawled out. Sr Vincentia being very tall, had to be literally dragged out. In the process her right wrist was dislocated. Sr. Teresa of the Trinity looked up and a tile fell on her nose and cut it. Sr Eugene Marie had a cut on her head. The Church, the presbytery, the Convent and the Schools -all collapsed to the ground. One can imagine the plight of the poor missionaries- Sisters and Fathers! Mother Anne, the Superior, was away in France. On her return journey, she heard this shocking news in Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). She could not rush faster than she did, due to the mode of travel in those days! Our Sisters were dazed; but strong in their faith, they stood firm before the ruined buildings. They knew our 'Heavenly Father, who feeds the birds of the air and the lilies of the field' would also carry them through.

Mr. Morgan, The Chief Medical Officer of the Government Hospital, took the Sisters to the Hospital premises, vacated one of the wards to accommodate them for the day. He provided them with food the whole day. That evening he arranged for their stay at the bungalow of the General Manager of the Mines, Mr. Arthur Taylor, who was away in England on a holiday and half of his house was vacant. It was spacious enough for a family but too small for a convent and a school, with 1,700 children. The garage, workers' quarters were all used. Some of the Sisters were accommodated there. Our Sisters of Robertsonpet, Coromandel and Marikuppam came to their rescue in accommodating the rest of them. Parishioners and well- wishers flocked to the Church premises to offer comfort and help in this distressing situation. Classes were held under the trees too. Good Fr Stan Aranjo, the Parish Priest of Robertsonpet and our Sisters of Robertsonpet, accommodated the children in their school. They put themselves out to help, by organising the shift system for this purpose. There was this heroic sacrifice on the part of everyone who was involved in this hour of need. Considering the need of the Sisters, Mr. Arthur Taylor agreed to sell the bungalow to the Sisters for Rs 1,00,000/-. The Church and the Sisters could not afford this amount. So our Superiors in Cantaous, approached our Sisters in South America, Peru and Venezuela who provided the money required. The house was purchased.The Sisters sat on the steps of their own beautiful house and had their first supper,
grateful to their benefactresses and recalling the experience of our first Holy Foundresses. Looking around at the beautiful garden and the lawns, they experienced a joy as if they were in a dream! But it was not a dream; it was true! This was their house! "All things work out well for those who believe." They could walk around freely and have place enough to accommodate all the people who would come in and whom they would serve, thanks to all their generous benefactors! Mother Beatrix and some of her co-Foundresses must have been the main instruments from heaven above, interceding for this happy turn of events! The Mines were still under the British even after five years of Independence! The mining people were still using the premises. Fr. A. D'Sa, parish priest came to the rescue of the Sisters whenever there was a problem. The Sisters accommodated the European children on the verandah of the house. The Indian School classes were held under the trees and in the domestic workers' quarters, till they were able to put up classrooms gradually. Those for whom place was not sufficient, the Parish school of Robertsonpet continued to accommodate. Communion in action!

Tha Original Bungalow still continues to be the Nun's Living Quarters till today!!!

BOOK REVIEW .."Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane - Paeans to Lost Glory"

TOGETHER MAGAZINE - FEB 2011 ISSUE
Kolar Gold Fields – “Down Memory Lane - Paeans to Lost Glory" is a book written by Bridget White, published in July 2010 by Author House UK Ltd.
We now have access to this little “nugget” from the gold mining era as the book is available in India, reprinted August 2010 at Matha Prints Bangalore.

Bridget White is an Anglo Indian who was born and brought up in KGF and had most of her education in that little mining town. Bridget’s “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane “Paeans to Lost Glory” is her tribute to the community, and to her fairy tale like upbringing that could not be more realistic to her or to those of us who were privileged to have experienced that lifestyle many years ago.

In her approach to writing the book Bridget expressed to me that she constantly kept her readers in mind. She wanted her book to be fairly unsophisticated and took extreme care not to use language that would require a dictionary every two pages. If her prospective readers, on the other hand are highly educated and well read, then she did not want to patronize them by writing in a grossly simplified misguided attempt to impress them. She chose simplicity and told a story.

The book is clearly laid out with three main chapters. The first chapter deals with the history of KGF. Compact, factual, interesting, punctured with legends and folk tales that made wide eyed children on bonfire nights gasp at some of the stories that did the rounds. John Taylor and Sons were synonymous with the Mines and they came with their culture and their bungalows and a life style that mostly all Anglo Indians adapted to as a fish does to water. It is amazing to see a photograph of the great man himself on page 16 of the book. Bridget has priceless photographs of the mines that have now deteriorated and are dangerous to approach let alone to venture in. Bridget talks about the churches, schools and hospitals, the lifestyle of the people who lived there and who enjoyed the establishments of clubs and institutes and the simple hardy dangerous life of the miners.

The second part of the book covers the lives of the Anglo Indian Community, a living legacy of the British Raj, the origin of “Anglo Indian”, their culture and lifestyle. It recalls the glorious days of dance and song, of sprawling bungalows, beautiful gardens, hard work and dignified living.

The last part of the book is autobiographical as Bridget reminisces on her childhood and teen years in a home that had all its values and morals intact. Memories are stirred as she recalls school days and games, picnics and the movies, sports and dances. She captures these memories colorfully and pens them down for posterity.

Enjoy “KGF Down Memory Lane “ as Bridget relates her joys of growing up, the land of Gold that drew international attention to mining, the lives and times of the miners and the myriads of people that walked those streets and lived those times with gutsy, positive, joyful attitudes.
In “Summing Up” (pun intended ) as Somerset Maugham would aptly say of his aforesaid novel, “a good style should show no sign of effort. What is written should seem like a happy accident”.
This book was a “happy accident” waiting to happen! I’m glad that Bridget pursued her dream to narrate it and to tell a story that will be told over and over again.

Colleen Nicholas
Celta Graduate, British Council
Email: colleen.nicholas@gmail.com

Colleen Nicholas is an ex-resident of KGF. She currently lives in Bangalore and conducts classes on Spoken English and prepares students for the IELTS, SAT and GMAT Exams. She is also a Beauty Consultant and Aroma Therapist.

Book on KGF - Kolar Gold Fields Down Memory Lane - Paeans to lost Glory!!!

A Nostalgic Book on Kolar Gold Fields

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE  - PAEANS TO LOST GLORY

By Bridget White
Pages 276 
Indian Reprint available 
Price: Rs 260.00 in India only

For Copies of this book Contact:
1. BRIDGET KUMAR
(Bangalore)
Email: bridgetkumar@yahoo.com / bidkumar@gmail.com
Ph: (+91)9845571254 / (+91)9844044236

Website: http://memoriesofkgf.blogspot.com/
http://anglo-indianrecipes.blogspot.com/
http://bridgetkumar.wordpress.com/ 

2. Gangarams Book Bureau
M G Road, Bangalore 560001

3. PAGE TURNERS
SIP PENGUIN BOOK STORE
89, MG Road, Bangalore 56001

4.John White
(Chennai)
Email: mpjohnwhite@yahoo.co.in
Ph: (+91) 9941841157 / (+91) 44 25595008

5. FLIPKART (INDIA)
http://www.flipkart.com/

UK Edition Published by AUTHOR HOUSE UK LTD,
ISBN:978-1-4520-4459-0 (sc) (Paper Back )
ISBN: 978-1-4520-5103-I (e) (E Book)
Price:US$13.00, A$20.00, C$20.00, GB Pounds 10.00

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE is also available online at leading online stores such as Author House UK Ltd (authorhouse.com), Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Water Stone, Xulon, Tesco etc.

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE - TESTIMONIAL

Testimonial from R. Sudarshan (Mr), Policy Advisor - Legal Reform and Justice, UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION, BANGKOK, THAILAND.

Bridget White Kumar’s book on the Kolar Gold Fields is a splendid soliloquy on a very special place, which was, once upon a time, inhabited by some very special people. That’s a very good reason for wanting to read this book.


There are also other reasons, besides its special subject matter, why this book deserves to be read. It’s very readable! It stands out as a true tribute to the success of teachers at the KGF Boys School (where both Bridget and I were pupils for four years) and St. Joseph’s Convent (where Bridget honed her writing skills). Bridget’s language is simple, direct, economical and familiar. Her sentences are grammatical and unambiguous. The rich and diverse material in the book is organised in a logical and orderly way. Moreover, this book is evocative of many of life’s simple pleasures – food and flowers, parties and picnics, and entertaining eccentrics. These features should make this book interesting and enjoyable, even for those who have had nothing to do with KGF.

For those who can share with the author her nostalgia for KGF, the special place, this book will be read with familiar pleasure, and re-read to their progeny who cannot any longer experience the place as it once was, full of vibrant life.
KGF now, with the gold gone, has become a ghost town, where stories are told about phantoms that haunt disused mine shafts, red-eyed monsters that sit atop the sodium-cyanide dumps that dot its landscape, and UFOs wait to be sighted.

There are still more reasons, apart from the sheer pleasure of reading a good, readable book, why this book should appeal to those who have no connection with KGF.

At a time of growing concerns about globalisation and conflicts over religion, race, and ethnicity the world over, Bridget’s book brings home to it readers that diversity of races, religions, and languages can actually enrich a community, and need not debilitate it.

KGF symbolized an older variant of globalisation. It has had long-standing links with the London bullion market, and a high proportion of Anglo-Indians, a living legacy of the British Raj. These are only few of the factors which gave the denizens of KGF a cosmopolitan outlook, proletarian pride, and mofussil manners. Bridget’s book brings out vividly the values and attitudes that make it possible for a community to thrive by celebrating diversity, notwithstanding colonial inequities and inequalities of caste.

All this makes Bridget book much more than a good read. It provides nourishment for reflection upon the challenges of our times brought about globalisation that is badly in need of the human essence that pervaded the Kolar Gold Fields.

R. Sudarshan (Mr)
Policy Advisor - Legal Reform and Justice
UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre
3rd Floor, UN Service Building,
Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200 Thailand.

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE - Feature in Jan 2011 issue of TOGETHER Magazine

Feature on my book  “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” which appears in the January 2011 issue of " TOGETHER" Magazine

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years, beginning with the historical and mythological origins of the Kolar Gold Mines. The book focuses on the progress through the years under the John Taylor and Sons Company, the gradual decline, and final closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company, in 2003.


Authored by Bridget White-Kumar, born into an Anglo-Indian family, who lived in KGF for many generations, the book recalls the cosmopolitan life led by the tiny vibrant Anglo-Indian Community in the early days of KGF. It also focuses on the author's childhood memories of growing up in KGF in the 1950s and 60s.

Kolar Gold Fields was well known for its colonial ambience and was called ‘Little England' due to its British and Anglo-Indian population. It was one of India's earliest industrialized towns and was unique for its secular and egalitarian society. The book succeeds in capturing and preserving the ethos and nuances of a bygone era.

This book is a 'must have' for all those who lived in Kolar Gold Fields and would like to preserve their memories of KGF forever.

For copies of this book contact Bridget Kumar Email: bridgetkumar@yahoo.com

An amusing incident that took place in the 1950s in KGF recalled by Jon Manley

This amusing incident that took place in the 1950s in KGF, was sent to me by Jon Manley from Australia. It just shows the loyalty of the domestic helpers in those days and the lengths they went to, to serve their employers. KGF was quite high society in the early days of the mines.

"I recalled the other day this story my mother told, of a dinner party my parents gave, for around a dozen guests , and it must have been around 1950, and thought you might find it amusing.

Dinner parties in those days were very 'swank' affairs. The men all wore tuxedos and black ties, and the women all gowns. Our butler Anthony would have been in his finest starched uniform, and would have worn a fine turban sporting some amazing decoration in the front, and a drinks waiter would have been hired from the club for the night, us children put to bed and told not to make a sound. I don't recall the menu but suspect it would have been something like iced cucumber soup, followed by roast beef and baked vegetables, and one of those delightful Indian sweets for dessert. Wine would have been on offer with coffee and liquors. I don't recall names, but will put in a few of people around at the time who would have attended my parents dinner party. During the meal lets say a Mrs. Boadhurst said to my mother, "Molly those candlesticks you have as a table centerpiece look just like some my brother Albert gave Stan and I as a wedding present", Then Mrs. Connie Walker said, "Molly, those salt and pepper shakers are just like some we bought years ago in London", a Mrs. Stella Dunlop then said, "That carvery set reminds me of one we have just like it", and so the conversation went. My mother was most embarrassed, as she had never seen any of these items before herself. The Butler Anthony was summoned into the room, and asked if he could throw any light on how these items had come to be on our table. He replied, "Yes Madam, I knew you wanted to impress, so I got Mrs. Broadhurst's and Mrs. Walker's and Mrs. Dunlop's butlers, to contribute towards the evening, with what fine pieces of table-ware they had. Don't worry they will all be returned first thing in the morning, and no one would normally have been any the wiser". Our butler Anthony was told that this practice had to stop forthwith, and in future any borrowing would be done through her, direct to the lady of the other house. I dare say everyone had a good laugh, and a fine evening was had by all".
Nice to have heard from you Bridget,
Kind regards
Jon Manley

Kolar Gold Fields - Down Memory Lane .....Jonnathan Manley writes from Australia

Kolar Gold Fields. Jonnathan Manley writes from Australia

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 9:43 PM
From:
"jon_manley@bigpond.com"
To:
"Bridget kumar"
Dear Bridget,
I have just finished reading your book, Kolar Gold Fields, Down Memory Lane. Oh Bridget! I am a grown man now, of 65 years of age, who left K.G.F. in 1957 aged 12, and your book has brought tears to my eyes, which are swelling up now as I write this. There were so many memories that flooded back, many I had forgotten years ago. Thank you Bridget for your wonderful, wonderful book. Amazon.com have asked me to review it. Just wait until you read that. My sister Fleur who lives in Kenya is also writing to you, as she has also read it.
The British Lady named Molly Manley you wrote about on page 24 was my mother, sadly she died in 2001. I wish she had been here to also read your book. After we left K.G.F. in 1957 mum would tell us stories about the place and people. I feel sure she would have recognised many of the names you mentioned. My father William Thomas Manley worked as the Chief Accountant for the mines for 33 years. We left in 1957, ten years after independence. Dad was asked to remain on longer, but as most of our friends had already left, we did likewise. I recall my father telling us that the Indian man who inherited his job after we left, had retired to Bombay, having made his fortune in about two years, when my father had not been able to do so in thirty-three.
Here are some interesting facts you may not have known about K.G.F., and some of my recollections.
I recall the church, Saint Mary's, which was demolished by the rock-burst you mentioned in page 34. I used to attend Mass there as a small boy, and went to school in a building where the priests house is today. My mother told me that when the rubble was cleared away after the rock-burst, a 'Consecrated Host' was found in the rubble near what was the front door of the church; that's how strong the shock wave was.


The Mr. W.T. Hocking who signed the document reproduced on page 48 was a family friend. The day before he left K.G.F. for England, my father walked us three children round to his house, which wasn't far from ours, to wish him and his wife Connie farewell. Hocking had a reputation as a man with a short 'bad' temper. On arrival in England, he caught a taxi from the wharf to wherever he was traveling, and for some reason he got off-side with the English Taxi Driver. The driver took offence to Hocking, and drove him and his long suffering wife, straight to a police station, where Hocking was charged, and locked away for some time to cool off. He couldn't get away with in England, with what he had in India!!

My mother told me that in the early days, whenever a new English person arrived at K.G.F. the established families would send the female new arrival an invitation to visit. This would read something like, 'Do call on me at your convenience. I look forward to meeting you and your family. Next Tuesday at 2 p.m. will be fine'. The new arrival would usually turn up at the time as suggested, in the back of one of those horse drawn carts you talked of, 'Jatkas'. It was customary for all the British to have calling cards. Upon arrival calling cards were exchanged. If there was an eligible male in the family, the left top corner of the card would be turned down, and if a female the right. Nothing was ever said about the eligible person, but one would know the situation. Protocol must be followed!!

You mentioned the company dairy, not far from the cricket ground. It was run by a Mr. King who had a daughter named Daphne, who was my age, about 7yrs. at that time. One day on the playing field near the tennis courts at Oorgaum, I told her I thought she was horrible, I can't recall why, and that when she grew up no boy would marry her. She took great offence to this and cried, and told her mother what I had said when she got home. When my mother heard of this, I was marched around to the King's house, and made to apologise to Daphne, who lauded it all over me from that day on. I really was a nasty little individual, then not now!!

What is now the'School of Mine's in Oorgaum, was the house we lived in. It is just in-front of what is now 'Our Lady of Mines Church'. I have been back to K.G.F. twice in the last 20 yrs, and still love the place. I traced my Ayah, Theresa, down to an address in Delhi. She threw her arm around me and wouldn't let go; cried and cried and carried on. I eventually had to prise myself free. She asked to see my teeth. I have two crooked teeth in the front of my mouth. When she saw them she nodded and said "Yes, you are indeed Jonathan Manley, my baby boy". I was about 45 at the time. We had a long talk, and I sang for her the Tamil songs she taught me as a child, and which I still remember. Sadly she also has passed on.
I could keep this up forever Bridget, but you must be getting bored so I will sign off. Once again, I loved your book; it wasn't long enough. Please keep in touch.
Best regards,
Jonathan Manley.

Jatka / Tonga or the Horse drawn carriages in KGF in the early years

Excerpt from the book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE by Bridget White

When we were children, public transport was very limited in KGF and there was no local bus facility to take us around the mines and to Robertsonpet. The only buses that passed through the Nandydroog Mine, were the long distance buses that came from Bangalore and Kolar via Bangarapet. These buses were either Express or Non stop Services, so they didn’t stop enroute to Robertsonpet. The few ordinary service buses were quite infrequent so no one really depended on them as a means of local conveyance.


KGF also didn’t have a regular Taxi service in those days. There were only one or two people like Mr. Parker, or Mr. Das from Robertsonpet who ran their old cars as Taxis. The ‘Jatka’ Service was the only means of conveyance for many, many years. People either traveled in the Jatkas or else just walked to wherever they had to go to.

The Jatka / Tonga or the Horse drawn carriages came into existence in India, in the middle of the 18th century through the traders of East India Company in Calcutta. It was originally conceived and built for use of the Company but spread to other places in India and soon became a popular means of transport for the common man. The Jatkas and Tongas were the only mode of local conveyance in KGF from the early 1900s till the late 1970s. These Jatkas were fondly called ‘BANDIES’ by the Anglo-Indians which was an Anglicized version of the Tamil word “WUNDIE’.

Besides being the mode of transportation in KGF, the Jatkas were also used as a means of advertising the latest film releases in Town. Before a new film was released, posters of the hero and heroine in some catchy pose would be stuck on to Tattie or Bamboo sheets and tied on the sides of the Jatka. Inside the jatka, a gramophone with a loud speaker would blast the title songs of the Movie, and a person with a megaphone would announce in which Picture House the film would be running.

All the small urchins would run behind the Jatka and pick up all the pamphlets that were dropped by the person doing the announcing in the jatka. These ‘advertisement Jatkas’ would go all around KGF covering every street and Miner’s Line so that everyone would know about the latest release. This was a very effective advertising tool in those days

Kolar Gold Fields had many firsts to its credit

KGF and its Many Firsts

Kolar Gold Fields had many firsts to its credit. In 1894, the Mysore Government financed the construction of a branch railway line, 10 miles long connecting all the five mines between Mysore Mine (Marikuppam) and Bowringpet Junction (Bangarpet) to connect KGF to the Bangalore Madras Railway line.


The Kolar Gold Fields Sanitary Board was constituted in September 1899 with three ex-officio members and four non-official members nominated by the Mining Board. The KGF Police, a special body with 50 officers and 279 men, under a separate European Superintendent, largely composed of Sikhs, was formed in April 1900, with jurisdiction over Bowringpet, Malur and Mulbagal taluks.

In 1902, the Mysore government established the first major hydro-electric generating station for commercial operations at Shivanasamudram. The longest transmission line, at the highest voltage in the world, was constructed to meet the power needs of mining operations at KGF. The erstwhile Mysore State became the first state in India to establish such a huge hydro-electric plant and KGF was the first town to get hydro-electric power.

In 1903, the British government constructed a lake in Bethamangala to supply water to KGF and surrounding townships. Arrangements were made for filtered water to be supplied to the mines through huge pipelines from the Government Water Works at Bethamangala, five miles away from KGF and the underground water source of the Pala River. Soon Bethamangala became a popular sailing and picnic spot for the British population in KGF

Article on KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE in THE HINDU on 4/11/2010

Date:04/11/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2010/11/04/stories/2010110451190300.htm

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Remember the time

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years, beginning with the historical and mythological origins of the Kolar Gold Mines. The book focuses on the progress through the years under the John Taylor and Sons Company, the gradual decline, and final closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company, in 2003.
Authored by Bridget White-Kumar, born into an Anglo-Indian family, who lived in KGF for many generations, the book recalls the cosmopolitan life led by the tiny vibrant Anglo-Indian Community in the early days of KGF. It also focuses on the author's childhood memories of growing up in KGF in the 1950s and 60s.
Kolar Gold Fields was well known for its colonial ambience and was called ‘Little England' due to its British and Anglo-Indian population. It was one of India's earliest industrialized towns and was unique for its secular and egalitarian society. The book succeeds in capturing and preserving the ethos and nuances of a bygone era. The book is available online at Author House UK Ltd, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Water Stone, Xulon, Tesco etc. The book is also available on Kindle.
For copies of this book contact Bridget Kumar Email: bridgetkumar@yahoo.com or call 9845571254, 9844044236. You could also visit http://memoriesofkgf.blogspot.com / http://anglo-indianrecipes. blogspot.com
You could also contact John White in Chennai (Email: mpjohnwhite@yahoo.co.in) or call 9941841157, 44 25595008. The book is also available at Gangarams Book Bureau.

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