Edward Maurice Crimmins

Maurice Crimmins had been driving coaches elsewhere when he and his widowed Mother came from Opotiki to Waihi where he married Miss Toomey. He was tall, dark and handsome, with his moustache pointed and waxed to perfection, a man about town, admired by everyone, clean to an immaculate degree and smartly dressed. He could best be described as a very debonair gentleman, who did exceedingly well for himself in all business transactions and never appeared to be financially embarrassed. Always a lover of really good horse-flesh, he had over some years several thoroughbred race horses which gave a good account of themselves on the track and at Show-rings. Several high spirited horses were introduced to the stables and caused many a stir when as leaders in the mail-coach they took some time to settle down to work. Their prancing and neighing caused great excitement, with Maurice on the seat and always a popular showman. After the miles from Katikati had been left behind, and the Tauranga bridge crossed it is reported that Maurice would come up to the Waihi Post Office at a gallop, the coach rattling and swaying in an alarming way. The short sprint as a grand finale to a steady journey over hard stony roads seemed to be a tonic. Source: Memoirs of the Coaching Stables of Deverell & Crimmins by Lance Deverell (Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 11, May 1969) http://www.ohinemuri.org.nz/journals/37-journal-11-may-1969/602-mem....