DEATH OF BLACK PETER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 29 June 1893, Page 18

DEATH OF BLACK PETER.

Under this heading Mrs C. R. Mitchell, of Balclufcha, writes as follows in the Clutha Free Press :—": — " About a fortnight ago we noticed in the Dunedin papers a report of the death in the Benevolent Institution of one Edward Peter. The name was uncommon, and in answer to a letter from a resident of Balclutha, we found that it was as we feared — the first discoverer of gold in Otago, ' Black Peter,' was dead. He died of pthisis, and, as the secretary informed us, in his 67th year. He was an old colonist. He came to New Zealand in the ship Maori, somewhere, I think from his conversation, about 40 years ago. Some of the old identities, I have no doubt, remember the date of her arrival. Peter was not quite sure of his own age, but from the fact that the festivities in connection with the coronation of Queen Victoria were amongst his earliest recollections, he must have been somewhere between 60 and 70 years of age, but I do not think he was more than 63. He was a native of Satara, and I have often heard him talk of Poona, and in his young days, when working in Bombay, he was a Mahratta, and was not free from the faults Macaulay ascribes to that race. He forgot a kindness much more quickly than he did an injury. [In early youth he was reared in the Hindoo religion, but owing to his long residence amongst white people his views were somewhat altered. Still there was a strong leaning to the faith he was reared in, and a strong love for his nativo Hindustan. I have had many a pleasant conversation with Peter over historical events and other matters connected with India. He was always pleased to hear anything I could tell him. Brahmins and Parsees were discussed, and he would teJl how ' Sir Jansetjee jeejhee bhoy,' or, as the sailors used to call him, ' jump-up jeesiboy,' acquired bis great wealth ; about the wars in India, and the state of ignorance his countrywomen were held in. He was always dtlighted to hear of their advancement in any way ; in fact, he was naturally very, intelligent and observant ; and had the advantages of a good education and good moral training fallen to his share, Peter would have been above the average class of people one meets with in everyday life. He was always gentle and kindly to animals, and very tender over young children. How he first discovered gold in Otago is well known to the reading public ; also how another won the renown and reward that should have been his. Certainly it was through his own folly that he lost the reward, and caused loss to others. Assuredly he was the first to get ' payable' gold (in this province), and is it not written in Mr Vincent Pyke's book on the early discoveries of gold in Otago? So there remains nothing more to be said. Eight years ago a petition was presented to the House of Parliament by Mr J. C. Brown, M.H.R. (since deceased), telling the true story of Peter's discovery, and praying for some recognition of his services. Mr Andrew G. Nicol, of Grey Valley, who died over two years ago, also gave valuable advice and assistance, but in spite of all that could be done, and in the faca of the fact that Mr Vincent Pyke (when a member of the House of Representatives) said he could prove tte authenticity of the story, the Government only gave £50, with the proviso that the people raise another £50, as a provision for Peter. The battle seemed almost hopeless till Mr Pyke's aid was solicited, and he soon got things into a satisfactory state, and the grim wolf of want was banished from poor old Peter's door. He has for the last 10 years enjoyed a pension of 10s a week, which, owiug to the kindness of Mr John Hartley Jenldnson, of Port Molyneux, in providing him with a home, a small gaiden, and plenty of firewood for the last five years, has enabled him to enjoy the latter days of his life without being harassed by worldly cares.

I believe several others of the Port Molyncux people showed him great kindness. He has been more or less in an invalid state for years, and his removal to the Benevolent Institution was doubtless owing to the fact that he had been ill for a considerable time. His pension was not sufficient to support him in sickness and procure medical aid and conslant attention such as he would require. The best was done for him in removing him to a placa where everything he needed could be readily procured. In 'Black Peter' another of our pioneers has passed away, and his name must ever be associated with the early history of Otago. Who will follow in the footsteps of the hardy pioneers who are gradually dropping out of the ranks one after another ? White-handed labour is beicg overdone and snobbery is rampant in our colonial towns, but surely from the ashes of Bracken's • kingly race of men ' shall spring a stalwart, intelligent people, whose lives and actions shall make glorious a free, prosperous, democratic Australasia."