OLD IDENTIANA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1912, 13 July 1888, Page 14

OLD IDENTIANA.

MB PETER M'LAREN.

There are in theexpericnces of most of the early settlers of Otago incidents and episodes Which if collated would form a volume equal in interest to any romance published. These were not confined to men alone, but were ofteg shared in by the female portion of the community, who were not constitutionally so fitted to pass through them. Very few of our present residents would undertake the risks which had to be undergone, and in fact they can scarcely form a correct idea of their serious character. The subject of this notice, as well as his better half, experienced a fair share of adventures in the early days.

Mr M'Laren was born in 1824 in the parish of Kenmore, Perthshire, very near the spot where the celebrated Black Watch, or tho 42nd Highlanders, was fii st formed. In early life he was accustomed to farm work, and was afterwards engaged in railway construction ; but as his prospects of improving his position in life were not of the brightest he made up his mind to emigrate to Otago, induced thereto by the conditions on which the settlement was formed and a firm resolution to make the best of the chance. Prudently considering that in the prosecution of his design he would be materially assisted by a helpmeet for the position, before sailing he wedded Janet, daughter of Corporal James M'Gregor, of the 75th Highlanders, a Waterloo veteran who was seriously wounded in that famous battle. The young couple sailed in the Mariner from London, along with a considerable number of other emigrants, a small number of whom are still to the fore and in good positions, and arrived on sth June 1849. Not being a moneyed man, he first applied for work under the company on the roads at 3s a day wages, but was not fortunate enough to be employed. He had not long to wait, however, as the late Mr Lloyd, of Green Island, engaged him at 3s 6d a day and find himself. It was rather hard lines to keep himself and his wife in town on such small allowance, but a few days afterwards he was sent for from Dunedin, as Mr Lee, of the Taieri, wanted a man and his wife for the station. Arrangements completed, he had to make the journey to his new home on foot, and bring a pack horse back to Scroggs' creek to meet his wife, who had to be taken round by sea in an open boat along with Mr Lee's friend Mr Buchanan. Favoured by the weather, the party was landed safely at the Taieri Mouth, but were grievously disappointed to find that the boat to convey them up the river had not reached that place. • Weuding their way along the bank they came on a camp of four stalwart Maoris, with rather fiercelooking dogs who were engaged pig hunting. This was not at all a pleasant position for a young wife to find herself in, particularly as tales the reverse of favourable to the natives had been previously current. However, the party proved themselves to be hospitably inclined, and offered the strangers a share of their food of potatoes and pork baked in the ashes, which were very acceptable, as the only food they had with them was a 6mall loaf. As night closed in the Maoris crept into their whare and the travellers formed a couch of fern leaves on which Mrs M'Laren lay down, but not to sleep. At length morning broke, and after partaking of the same fare as supper, washed down with a mouthful of clear water from the river, the lonely wayfarers were gladdened by the sight of the canoe which was to convey them onwards, and after giving the Maoris the small loaf in exchange for their meals, they were soon on board gliding swiftly up the stream. They arrived safely the same evening at their destination, where 13 weeks were passed, the great want being flour, and for days together no other food was partaken of but potatoes and wild pork, with a dish of tea.

On leaving Mr Lee the next experience our friends had was with Mr Valpy, first at Dnnedin and latterly at the Forbury. A friend of this gentleman's, Mr Forbes, having become home sick determined on returning to his native land, and his baggage had to come round from the Horse-shoe. Beach station by boat, which was unfortunately detained at the Taieri Mouth by adverse winds.

M'Laren was despatched with a horse to bring in as many of the young gentleman's belongings as he possibly could, and which after., considerable difficulty he succeeded in doing, reaching Dunedin on a Sunday, much to the indignation and surprise of the inhabitants in daring to commit such a breach of the sixth commandment.

About this time there was a complete dearth of salt in the settlement, so the tedious operation of boiling sea waterjto produce this indispensable requisite had to be undertaken, and this may therefore be counted one of our first industries.

Finding his employment at Mr Valpy 's scarcely to his mind, Mr M'Laren accepted an engagement from Mr E. M'Glashan, and did the first ploughing in the Upper Kaikorai, and afterwards wrought for Mr Anderson, at Bellview, and Messrs Ross and Kilgour. The regulation passed by the Provincial Council reducing the price of land to 10s an acre, enabled him to secure about 60 acres in the Ocean Beach district, which he took possession of at the end of 1856, and he has continuously resided there from that date up to the present time, the only alteration being the purchase, several years ago, of some 10 additional acres, which cost him close on £20 an acre. The fact of his becoming a freeholder did not, however, bring lighter work. On the contrary, it increased the daily toil seven fold, as the farm is about the highest level on the whole Green Island range, and was very difficult of access. These struggles are, however, comparatively forgotten now, as by dint of steady persevering industry he has made a comfortable home for himself and family. Kindly sympathy and generous assistance were characteristics of farmers in the olden times, and from many of them he received a helping band. The late Messrs David Howden and William Barr were among his staunchest friends, and gave a hand in breaking up and sledging fencing until Mr M'Laren could obtain bullocks of his own to do the work. The products of the farm have been confined altogether to hay, root crops, and butter, the locality not being suitable for grain growing, although sufficient was always raised for keeping the house, stable, and poultry. As a butter-maker, Mrs M'Laren has always occupied a high position, as may be judged from the fact that for over 20 years Mr and Mrs Murphy, of the Shamrock and City Hotels, have had the supplies uninterruptedly from her dairy, and the connection still continues with their successor.

Mr M'Laren works his farm systematically and neatly, a regular rotation being observed, and the live fences kept closely t.immed. Nor has the garden been overlooked, and in spite of the windy situation, vegetables, fruit, and flowers are grown in profusion. The worthy couple have had a family of 11 children — eight sons and three daughters— and all are alive except one son, a number of them being married. Although the site of the house is a very exposed one, still, being built of stone and now pretty well surrounded with trees, it is as snug and cosy within as could be desired. So attached to it has the gude wife become that she assured us that she would not change for the best spot in Dunedin. In spite of early hardships and unremitting toil, husband and wife are still strong, active, and industrious — fine specimens of an old race not often met with nowadays, and tho wish that long life and prosperity may be their Jot is a unanimous one from a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

I. M. I.