A HARDY PIONEER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 11 June 1924, Page 6

A HARDY PIONEER.

AN EARLY ARRIVAL IN SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Mr Mark Saunders writes:—On May 19, 1862, I bade good-bye to my parents, and the scene of my childhood. Next day I sailed from the East India docks for Melbourne, in the ship Yorkshire, with a double crew and the mails. Eighty-four days out we sighted Port Philip Heads, on a glorious morning. Sailing up the._Bay, the tall masts of the ships at Sandridge pier looked like a forest of leafless trees. As soon as the ship was Lied up the captain told the crew that any of them who wished to do so, could leave the ship, and would receive a good discharge, though they would havo to forfeit all pay. With others, I took advantage of that offer, and with three other sailors I went up the Goulburn river and got a job on Switzerland station, then held by *.ha Grant Bros. My work was to shoot birds off the fruit trees, and to heal irons for fire-branding the cattle — which I thought a very cruel practice. After I had been eleven months there, word reached Victoria that Hartley and Reilly had found gold at the Dunstan river in New Zealand. With Robert Noble (the axe man of the station), who was noble in disposition and form, as well as in name, I went to Dunedin in the American ship, Hussar, and picking up a spur of German silver, 1 decided that I would be a rich man some day—an impression which still remains with me. At that time 4000 men were unemployed in Dunedin, and to relieve their distress the Government offered them work, cutting away Bell Hill, at 5s per day, for three days in the week. When the snow cleared away wages went up to 20s per day. The Hogburn rush broke out at inin time, and a little later, Clarke’s No. 3 Gully. To the latter place Sergeant Garvey and Trooper MacDonald were sent on duty. A snow-storm came cn, and Sergeant Garvey lost his life in it. His body was taken to Dunedin and thousands attended his funeral.

About this time the Marlborough diggings were opened, and I thought 1 would try my luck there. It was a long tramp to Timaru, and I pulled up at the Timaru Hotel, then kept by Sam Williams. The hotel was crowded with diggers on their way to Marlborough. Wo spread our blankets on a seat, for which I think we paid one shilling. Starting next morning 1 looked seaward and saw several small vessels, but I do not remember their names, as the “Timaru Herald” did not publish its first issue until two months later. When I returned to Timaru I remember seeing a tall gum tfeo a few yards east of where Dunn’s jewellery shop now stands, and a thorn ’ence where now stands the C.F.C.A.'s buildings,, Cobb and' Co.’s stables heng opposite. Going north I crossed the Opihi river in a bullock dray. There was a fine native bush then between the Temuka and Opihi rivers, but when I returned later it was burnt. In 1868 the great flood occurred, when rnveral people lost their lives. A few •ears later, a fire, which started near Tait's smithv, Pleasant Point, spread :lown the plains to Parr’s flour mill ind farm, at Waitawa. They were stacking wheat at the time and had me, stack up, and another half up. The flames licked up both stacks, being "aimed, by a nor’wester. We were carting w,heat at the time with a bullock team; we took the bullocks out, ran to. the mill) cut the "water-race, and saved t-lie : house) The fire then ran down the river, leaving/desolation behind it. I 'think I should mention that energetic man, the late Mr W. Parr, who built the big windmill in Timaru, where it was a landmark for many rears; the late Mr Richard Turnbull, a man of long vision, and a large heart, who was M.P. for Timaru, and who used to visit the Gaol, the Hospital, and_ the Old People’s Home, always taking something with him for the inmates; neither should I forget to mention the labours of successive chairmen and members of the Timaru Harbour Board, who made wise provision for the futuro greatness of South Canterbury; and the Mayors of Ti mam aiid members of the Borough Council, who also played worthy part. The labours of the early public men are the heritage of this generation, o.nd should be remembered and prized hv them. Also to be remembered are the early Ministers —Rev. Geo. Foster, Father Chataignier, Rev. George Barclay, and their successors. They all did noble work under trying conditions. In fancy 1 hear them say: “Go thou and do likewise.”