RELICS OF THE BOYD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20162, 24 January 1929, Page 13

RELICS OF THE BOYD.

WELL-PRESERVED TIMBERS.

INTERESTING WALKING-STICKS

An interesting relic of the "burning of the Boyd" by Maoris in Whangaroa Harbour in 1809 is in the possession of a resident of Taranaki. About 30 years ago the brother of Mr. F. L. Severne, of Kaponga, secured a portion of the old vessel's timbers, from which he had a number of walking-sticks manufactured. One of these, given to his father, the late Mr. F. E. Severne, for many years governor of the Auckland prison, eventually came into possession of Mr. F. L. Severne, who has presented the historic memento to Mr. E. J. Massey, of Manaia. The latter was for many years associated with Mr. Severne's father as an officer of the Prisons Department. The stick is of wonderfully preserved Indian teak, surmounted with a knob of puriri and bears a heavy silver clasp, inscribed with the initials of its original owner and the word "Boyd." The members of tho Parliamentary motor party that toured North Auckland in January, 1917, were taken in launches over the spot. where the remains of the Boyd were sunk. The visitors were subsequently presented by Messrs. Lane and Sons with pieces—suitable for walkingsticks—of one of the hardwood logs that formed the vessel's cargo.