AO-TEA-ROA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 April 1927, Page 8

AO-TEA-ROA

STORY OF EARLY DAYS.

MINING AND EXPLORATION. I. Before the discovery of gold in Otago, several attempts were made to explore West Canterbury. as it was then, called, first to learn its possibilities as a sheep and cattle country, and secondly in the belief that it was a gold-bearing region. The first vessel chartered for a voyage to the unknown land was the “Mary Louisa’’ schooner, under the command of Captain Too-hig. Later he made a secpnd voyage in the schooner “Phantom.’’ The adventurers returned from both expeditions reporting their efforts as barren, and condemning the West Coast as useless country. In 1562 what was known as the Olliverian Exploring Expedition, under the management of Mr. C. M. Ollivier (who died from exposure during the voyage), set out for the Coast in a small schooner of twenty tons, known as the “Ada,’’ only to return with the same doleful tale —no gold, no sheep country. To-day this useless land is known as Romantic Westland, a tourists ’ paradise. Neither Britisher nor European can boast the honour of being the first to adventure beyond the Teremakau in search of gold, or to reach the sea coast by following that river. On January 3, 1863, J. C. Drake, under orders from the Canterbury Provincial Council, set out to survey and cut a track through to the coast. He and his party floated down the Teremakau on a mohiki, a boat-shaped raft, built of flax sticks, and on the beach near the mouth they were amazed to come upon a couple of men working a claim. One was a fullblooded negro, the other a half-caste. On learning- that he and his partner were the first to reach the coast via the Teremakau, the nigger slapped his dusky mate on the shoulder, exclaiming elatedly: “D’ye hear that, my boy? We are the first white men to have reached the coast by following the Teremakau!’’

The month is February of ’65; the hour eight in the morning. Even thus earlyj the space between two lines of canvas stores and drinking shanties, by courtesy called a street, is thronged with diggers from the outlying gullies, come for their weekly supplies. Rosy times these for storekeepers, when every bag of flour; every piece of bacon, is bespoken before arrival. Shanties, free as yet from recognised authority, are doing a brisk business. Elour is scarce, and all are agog, waiting the coming of the pack horses. A string of them appears, and, rushed by the expectant diggers, is quickly unloaded. Noon, and only by hard pushing is way made through the crowded lane deep in mud, obstructed by roots and treestumps. Every shanty has its. party of full-bearded, rollicking diggers; every half-hour yells of “Fight!’’ causes a heaving in the packed thoroughfare, and the clearing of street space for a mill between halfnaked, half-drunken combatants. . . Noise, tumult, and turmoil slowly die as singly and in groups heavily-laden men disappear into the darkening bush, eampwards. Night falls on store and shanty, deserted till the coming of next Holydav.

Of all that band of lion hearts, the prospector ranks' first in • glory. Shouldering his heavy swag, he seta forth into the unknown, and blazes a trail for the less adventurous. He dreams of no reward other than Luck may bestow, and cheerfully forgets that Fate may condemn him to a lingering death in a solitude silent and terrifying. His type has almost passed. Such was ; Jim, better known as “Long?’ M* Goeran, prince among prospectors. Waiting but to put together enough cash for supplies, he would disappear into the land of bush and mountain, to reappear after weeks of loneliness and hard living, silent, gaunt, and •haggard, but with courage undimin ishing by failure. Another spell of careful saving, and he would be off once more to seek his El Dorado. IV.

“The beach is strewn with wrecks eighteen sailing vessels and seven steamships having been hurried to destruction within the last five months.” Thus a Hokitika correspondent writing in July, 1865. Alas! Those sorry-looking wrecks, how often in boyhood days have I played in and out of their old timbers, lialf-buried in.sand and shingle.

Large crowds always assembled whenever ships were seen making for port. First came the auctioneers, eh ch assuming a grave mien the while he inwardly chucked his ‘ ‘ Pi, fo, fum.” Then followed the shipping agents, who affected sou’-westers and oilskins. Came next the wretched consignees, anxious of countenance, and the draymen, expectant of jobs, together with a mob of the idly curious. Among them stalked Thatcher, of theatrical fame, in search of material for a “screaming” farce.

One morning tide secs the arrival of a whole fleet of steamers, sailing vessels, and small craft, assembled in the roadstead, and exciting anticipa-

tions and tears agitate the gathering. The first to venture is the brigantiue “Leonidas.” The wind fails her while in the break; a few helpless rolls, and she is washed up, bows first, about- the foot of the flagstaff. An ominous beginning. • The vessels following, seeing the disaster, about ship, and stand out to sea. Next ventures s.s. “Wallaby,” and under experienced Captain Whitwell she safely makes port. Now the “Yarra,” with the schooner “Dolphin” in tow, followed by the s.s.'“Maid of Yarra. All enter without mishap. A whole fleet of sailing craft, led by the schooner “Phoenix,” heads boldly for the dreaded bar, with the “Minnie” close upon their heels, and the “Australian Maid” a little farther behind. Again a safe crossing. Now the “Florence,” “United Brothers,” and “Three Sisters,” with the “Katherine” bringing up the rear. The two former foul each other, and for a few' breathless minutes it is touch and go. ... . A sigh of relief goes up; for the incoming rollers lift them into the channel, soon to be moored with their sisters to the long line of primitive wharf. A pleasant euphemism is that adopted by the “West Coast Time's” (June, ’65), in listing “Vessels m Fort”: v . “Nelson, s.s. (on the spit, ashore). “Oak, schooner (on the spit, ashore). “Bruce, p.s. (ashore).” Coasters always were a humorous crowd.

In these days of quickly-earned wealth, of affluence and general prosperity, the various banks showed exceeding complaisance in granting overdrafts, a complaisance taken full ad vantage of by enterprising citizens. Speculation bubbled in the pot. New venturers were in vigorous . isprout. Capital was always needed. One fine evening came Cobb and Co. ’s coach, four spirited horses tossing their heads, harness ajingle, driver alert; and all spanking down Revell Street in time-honoured style. . . There descended from the box-seat an alertlooking, keen-faeed passenger—a bank inspector on an official tour. Shortly after his arrival consternation reigned amongst a number of the bank’s clients, peremptorily called upon to put their accounts in order. Followed days (and nights) of panic and dismay, rushing hither and thither, and vain importunings of sundry debtors for “immediate settlement.” By this time the unwelcome visitor was known as the “Colorado Beetle,” unclassified, but possessed of a very powerful sting. One morning' one of his victims, walking with head dejected in thought, was greeted by the manager of a rival bank. “Tlullo! Firtz, how’s things?” “Rotten,” \ said Fritz. “The damned Colorado Beetle’s dropped on me.” “Pooh! Is that all? Better change over your account to me.” A solution of the problem! The word was quickly passed, and peace spread its wings over Revell Street. Time moved on, as is his habit. Again descended a passenger, also alert and keen-faced —the - rival bank inspector. But peremptory demands no longer possessed any. terrors. Once more, amidst nods and becks and wreathed smiles, a quiet transfer of accounts from one bank to another comfortably avoided foolish fuss and bother.

Ross, charming- little township, gateway of -South Westland, nestling so cosily at the foot of bushy hills, with broad ocean shimmering in the dis; tance, is one of the most delightful of coastal hamlets. Here still lives the open hospitality of early days. T fear, however, that there survives also the Old Adam of Ross’s rule forefathers, now asleep—a spirit which finds outlet in the ardent pursuit of forty-fives and poker, the first-named being played with a vocal aboridon starting to the stranger. During oiie of my fre : quent visits I joined in a quiet game. .As the small hours drew near, one of the players, a star in the political firmament, regretfully intimated he must leave, explaining that the parson was absent on-his “long-South ’ ’ visit, and morning service -had to be taken by himself. “Now,” he challenged, “none of you fellows will be at church, so what about a jackpot for the collection?” -No sooner said than; done. To this, day the church wardens are puzzled over a collectionplate envelope containing a donation from “Mr. John Potts.” Ross was included in his New Zealand tour by Donald Dinnie, of old time athletic fame. Oh his opening night John M , a highly-esteemed citizen and brother-Scot, .donned Glengarry, hastened to the fair, and, waiting on Donald, mingled profuse greetings mith effusive compliments and appreciation of the honour reflected on all “britlier Scots” by Donald’s prowess. Admission charges were one and two shillings respectively M- , ‘with true Scotch thrift, paid the cheaper price. Donald, making his appearance before a thin house, railed fiercely at the “paucity o’ tha attendance,” and. dramatically pointing at M , “Thar,” he roared, “thar is ,a mon wha says tae me: ‘Mon, Donal, ’ but Ah’m prood tae greet ye,’ an’- he telt me Ah was an honour tae bonny Scotland, an’ shuk me by tha bond, an’”—withering contempt —“tliar he is—sittiu ’ in tha sliullin seats!”—(Written for { ?The Sun.” Christchurch, by T. L. Ralfe.)