An Old Time Episode.

Southland Times, Issue 11983, 1 March 1892, Page 3

An Old Time Episode.

The Rev. T. S. Forsaith, now Congregational minister of Parramatta, sends to the New Zealand Herald the following interesting particulars concerning Auckland journalism, by the way of supplement to what he had read in the pamphlet, "Fifty Years of Auckland Journalism," which had fallen into his hands : — " From about June, 1846, to January, 1847, I edited the New Zea lander, and wrote all the leading aaticl«s. In relation to Mr Lambert leaving Auckland for Dunedin, the facts are as follows : — Mr Lambert came from Sydney, bringing letters of introduction to me. He commenced business in Auckland, but had a hard struggle. When the first Parliament met, Mr James Macandrew came as one of the members for Otago— l, at the time, representing the Northern Division. One day during the session I had a dinner party of Southern members at my houae, Mr Macandrew being one of the guests. After dinner, in the course of conversation, Mr Macandrew Baid : ' I want to start a paper in Dunedin ; do you know of anyone, Foiraith, who is a practical printer, and possessed of some intelligence, who could use hiß pen when required, and manage a concern of the kind.' I replied : ' Yes, I think I know the man who will suit you. 1 The upshoL was I introduced Mr Lambert to Mr Macandrew. They came to terms, and Mr Lambert and his family, except one daughter who remained with Mrs Forsaith, removed to Dunedin, and the Colonist was started. ... A Bomewbat corious episode was connected with this affair. Sometime afterwards Lambert wrote to me expressing his thanks for the introduction, and telling me how he was prospering. Amongst other things he said: ♦There are two sections on the principal screet of Dunedin yet unsold ; shall I buy them for you ? The price is (if I remember rightly) Ll2 10s each.' In reply I said : 'No ; what should I do with land at Dunedin?' Several years after I was deputed by the Session of St. Andrew sto accompany the Rev. Dr Bruce as one of the delegates to confer with the brethren at the South on a basis of union for all the Presbyterian churches. I was billeted at the comfortable suburban residence of Mr Lambert, who during my stay was taken ill, and eventually died in my arms. Before 1 returned North, I had the curiosity to inquire alxmt the two sections once offered to be purchased for me. To my astonishment I learned that one of them was leased to a bank at LIOOO per annum, and the other was covered with stores yielding a rental of probably as much more. So much for colonial opportunities." " Mercutio adds :— Mr Forsaith was one of Auckland's oldest colonists. He had hia wife landed at Hokianga in 1838, two years before the colony was founded. " New Zealand," he states, " was then an independent country, and one night when travelling

with Tirarau and a party of his tribe in the character of peacemaker, as he was in pursuit of a fugitive slave wife, we slept on the hills now covered by the City of Auckland, when there was not a soul in the neighbourhood excepting the natives at Orakei. I suppose if I returned to Auckland I should be, with one exception only (the Rev. James Wallis), the oldest living settler." Many of the incidents of Mr Forsaith's early career in New Zealand are as thrilling as some of the situations usually found in a sensational novel. lam glad to learn that for some time past he has been engaged in collating and recording, with as much particularity as documents in his possession and a retentive memory will enable him, the facts and incidents of the Olden Time. His old and intimate friend, the Rev. Dr Stuart, of Knox Church, Dunedin, has been specially importunate in this matter. Mr Forsaith possesses all the literary ability, descriptive power, and stores of early colonial lore necessary for such a task, and I hope that he may be spared to accomplish it.