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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Captain Charles Edward Hayward
Captain Charles Edward Hayward was born in Bungay, Norfolk, England, in 1835, and at the age of fourteen became an apprentice on a schooner engaged in the Mediterranean fruit trade. After serving his time he joined the barque “Baretto Junior,” and arrived in Melbourne in 1853. He remained two years on the Australasian coast, and sailed for Otago in 1856 in the, whaler “Royal Sovereign,” comanded by the late Captain George Printz. Finding the New Zealand climate to his liking, and being a lover of nature's wild scenery, he decided to remain, and at once became actively engaged in the coastal trade, then in its infancy. He owned and commanded a number of coasting traders, among them being the well known “Spec” and “Norah.” In 1863, while in command of the “Norah.” Captain Hay-ward successfully conveyed a small sawmilling plant to Catlins river. This was the first time the port had been entered. The sawmill, which was the first in the district, was owned by the late Mr. James Brough and Mr. J. W. Thomson, M.H.R., and in a very short time Catlins was shipping more timber than any port in the South Island. Captain Hayward was appointed harbourmaster there, and held the position until the port was closed, when he resumed his profession. He was a strong advocate of fishing on a large scale, and supplying at a reasonable price, and accordingly bought the cutter “Bessie,” intending to fit her up as a trawler. and, if successful, to add other vessels to the trade. However, his career was cut short in the venture, as, owing to the rough and exposed nature of the coast, the cutter was wrecked at Lang Point Bight, within a month, and the captain, his son Frank, and Mr. William Wilson were drowned. Captain Hayward was fortunate in being soundly educated in boyhood, and his love of reading, and faculty of retaining what he read, always made him an agreeable and entertaining companion. Hayward's Point, north of Otago Harbour, was named after him.