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Past and Present, and Men of the Times.
Captain J. S. Cross
Captain J. S. Cross. —Many of my readers will remember the late Captain Cross, the well-known harbour-master of the Port of Nelson. He was born at Deal on the 14th December, 1817. Almost from his infancy, at all events from his very early boyhood, the sea had for him attractions that were not to be resisted, and, when he was yet quite a youngster, he ran away from school, and entered the Royal Navy as an apprentice. At twenty-four years of age he joined the expedition, consisting of two ships, the"Whitby" and "Will Watch," which were despatched under the superintendence of Captain Arthur Wakefield, for whom Captain Cross entertained a respect almost amounting to veneration. On the 3rd of November, 1841, after a passage of between six and seven months, they dropped anchor in the Astrolabe Roads. The instructions under which they were acting were to the effect that they were to found the settlement of Nelson somewhere in Blind Bay, the most fitting spot for the town being left to their selection, so Captain Cross was despatched with a boat from the ship "Whitby," and discovered Nelson Haven, or, as it was called by the Maoris, Wakatu, signifying a safe harbour for canoes. It was about this time I made Captain Cross's acquaintance. He was the first white man who stepped ashore in Nelson, and was appointed pilot for that port and neighbouring coast by the New Zealand Company, in whose service he left the Old Country as warden pilot. In 1848 he was appointed pilot at Auckland, and in 1850 harbour-master and pilot at Nelson. From his first arrival he was never absent from the Colony, and was the last survivor of the expedition men who came out in the"Whitby." He was noted for his uprightness of character, and also for his courage and coolness in the most trying time of danger and difficulty, and was greatly respected by all mariners with whom he came in contact. There are many stories told of the pluck and coolness displayed by Captain Cross in connection with accidents which have occurred both inside and outside the harbour, but these were never heard from him; the brave old man would talk admiringly of gallant deeds performed by others, but was very reticent about his own, although instrumental in saving life many times. When his end came there passed away the spirit of a brave man, a kind father, and as thoroughly good a colonist as ever stepped on the shores of New Zealand.
page 249We publish a photo of an old friend, who has done much good for New Zealand—"Old, honest Tom Duncan"—for many years Crown Prosecutor for Canterbury. Now, an inch of space for him. Then, not looking as now—grey and aged, and bent—but a vigorous and a very handsome man. That white beard was then a singularly beautiful one; that eye, which, perhaps, has lost something of its keenness, was bright, humorous, and shrewd. A kind man, and one who, unlike the new gang, did not encourage litigation. A man whose word you could rely upon. He trusted others in the same spirit; whether he was met by those he trusted in the same way, in many cases, I doubt. Good men are not so plentiful that we should pass them by. Don't wait, boys, until they are gone, to recognise their qualities. Cheer their old age to-day by hearty, warm, and sincere appreciation of my old friend Thomas Duncan. He and Mr. Sefton Moorhouse were most devoted friends. They went to Auckland together to promote the passing of the Railway Bill which was the making of the wonderful tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch.