A LONELY GRAVE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20982, 22 March 1930, Page 27

A LONELY GRAVE.

AN INCIDENT IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF OTAGO. By Murray G. Thomson. Purehurehu Point is the high headland that separates Murdering Beach from Kaikai Beach. On the grassy summit of this headland close to the old Maori track, or Maori main road—as it might be called —from north to south, and in full view of the Pacific Ocean and of the coast line as far north as Shag Point, is a lonely, neglected grave. Here lie the mortal remains of Mr Will Coleman, far from habitation and within sound of the restless sea and the bleating of the sheep in the surrounding pastures. The spot had, at one time, been enclosed by a picket fence and a wooden head board bore a simple inscription. For many years loving hands had tended the plants and flowers within the enclosure, but all that now remains to mark the sacred spot are two fallen corner posts; the faded inscription at the head has entirely disappeared. Strangers passing by pause for a moment and wonder. Before the inscription was entirely obliterated, the writer, on January 16, 1912, made a copy, which reads as follows: William Coleman, who died February 10, 1860, aged 59 years. Why should we mourn departed friends, or shake at death’s alarm? ’Tis but the voice that Jesus sends, to call us to His arms.” Mr Coleman and Mrs Coleman were natives of Hastings, England. They arrived in Sydney by the ship Coromandel in 1838, but, finding the heat oppressive, they came over to Waikouaiti under engagement to Mr “Johnny” Jones in the brig Magnet in 1840. Mr Coleman had ■occasion to make business trips across the bay to Otakou, Otago Heads, and became familiar with Whare-ake-ake, that pretty little - beach now known to white men as Murdering Beach. When in the year 1856 Mr Coleman made application for a block of land in the vicinity of Whare-ake-ake, no survey had as yet been made. The services of Mr Edward Villiers Briscoe, surveyor, were engaged. Mr Coleman acted as assistant to Mr Briscoe and pointed out the land that he coveted. It comprised 92 acres, embracing all Purehurehu Point, a small part of i£ax-kai on one side of the point and a portion of Murdering Beach on the other side. The peculiar cut in i suppose, is owing to the fact vhat Mr Coleman was present at the survey and had carefully selected hill, flat and water supply. The front pegs were put in and leading pegs showed the diroction through the dense bush. A neat little sketch m water colour now in the Early battlers collection and known as section 5, block 5, North Harbour, Blueskin district, shows_ the 92 acres surveyed and is an interesting curio of early surveying

. Mr and Mrs Coleman were not long in taking ■ possession of their newly* acquired property, and at first lived in a deserted whaler’s hut. Mr Coleman soon had a substantial house built, and the work was no mean task. A track was cut to good supplies of red pine and black pine, half a mile distant, where two sawpits were made, one of hwich is still to be seen on the property of Mr Charles Dnver. The trees were felled, cut into lengths, which were sawn up and carried on-the shoulders to the building site, and there dressed before building operations began.

Coleman did not Jong enjoy the fruits of his labours. The ship Cheviot was lying at Hobart Town Fomt—now known as Harrington Point. Ihe captain was at Port Chalmers, and the mate was visiting Mr Knewatubb at Taylor s Bay, Lower Harbour, where also came Mr Coleman on his usual visit. . Coleman was persuaded against his inclination to visit the ship, and on the return journey to Mr Knewstubb's something went wrong with the sails, and the ™ a fi’ A- very heay y man, stood up to right things and upset the boat. The mate s body was found in the harbour. Tor some days Mr Coleman’s four dogs behaved in a peculiar manner. They disappeared each day and returned at night barking and howling. One day a Mr Stevens from Purakanui, while descending Purehureliu tq Kai-kai Beach, noticed the strange behaviour of some dogs, and on. investigation *found the body of Mr Coleman. The faithful dogs turd kept watch over their master’s body and did what they could to attract attention The body had drifted out to sea and' had been washed up on his _ own loved property at the foot of frowning Purehurebu. ihe body was carried to the top of the point and laid to rest in its shallow grave. The writer and members of his family have endeavoured to keep the spot m memory by marking out the shape of the frave by a pile of large stones