Chapter IX.
Further Troubles.

It was in 1846 that this, their first grout sorrow and trouble fell upon the families. Captain Sinclair and his sons had just completed the building of another craft in Pigeon Buy for their own use. In her the Jessie Millar"—Captain Sinclair, his son George, Alfred Wallace, and another man set sail for Wellington. The vessel was deeply laden with produce, the results of the year's labours of the two families, and the captain had all their combined savings with him, designed for the payment of rigging, sails, stores, and clothing for the two families. The vessel never reached her destination, the only thing heard of her being that she was seen off Kaikoura by a companion ship just before a furious south-west gale broke upon her. "Lost at sea!"—no record of their last hours, nothing to comfort the sore hearts of those left in sorrow but the "sure and certain hope" of meeting again "when the sea gives up its dead." Thus perished four capable, valuable lives, who could ill be spared out of the small band of brave spirits who were left fighting the battle of life in those difficult days. The distressing suspense, which gradually gave place to certainty of their loss, page 111threw the whole settlement into the deepest gloom. After long hoping against hope, Mrs. Sinclair, unable to bear the strain of her grief in the home now left so desolate, decided to remove to Wellington. Her friends there arranged with a Mr. Mcintosh, who had arrived by one of the early ships to Wellington, to take charge of the place as manager for two years, during which time Mrs. Sinclair and family resided first in Wellington and latterly in Akaroa, returning to their Pigeon Bay home at the end of Mr. Mcintosh's term. Mr. Mcintosh then took up land in the next bay, east of Pigeon Bay, known for many years as "Mcintosh Bay," in the near neighbourhood of which many of his descendants are still settled. About the year 1880, Mr. J. H. Menzies, from Southland, bought this property from Mr. Mcintosh, junr., and with his family still resides there. The old name is hardly used now; it is becoming known as "Menzies' Bay."

The foundering of the "Jessie Millar" brought upon the settlement, as well as great grief, a heavy monetary loss, from which they did not recover for some time. The families were almost at the end of their resources as regards provisions, having only one bag of flour and a few potatoes amongst them, so that privation stared them in the face. Fortunately, however, a French whaling vessel called in soon after, wanting fresh beef, which was given them in exchange for a supply of urgently needed stores—flour, sugar, tea, etc. In their experience it invariably happened that when their need was greatest timely succour was at hand: thus was kept alive in their hearts a firm faith in God's care for them, and a feeling of earnest thankfulness "for the many mercies and comforts we enjoy "—to quote Mr. Hay in one of the Home letters of this date. Their daily lives were ennobled and sustained, during every trial of these hard years, by their simple faith page 112 and trust. We cannot but admire the manner in which they bore their many hardships, how little understood by us now in these days of ease and comfort. Mutually helpful and cheerful, they rose above each trouble more strong and patient to meet the next.

The schooner left uncompleted in Pigeon Bay was sold, soon after Alfred Wallace was drowned, to a man named Daymond, for £60. He stayed at Annandale while engaged in completing the craft, which he named the "Agnes Hay," as a compliment to his hostess. The first bullock ever killed in Pigeon Bay was hung on the bows of this vessel in lieu of "gallows." In this schooner Mr. Hay took a business journey to Wellington the following year- 1847. Immediately after the disaster Mr. Cullen left for Tasmania, and Mr. John Hay went prospecting up countrv towards Oxford, with our old friend Tom White to lend him a hand building his hut, &c.; but he did not stay long, not being enamoured of the district. An alarming earthquake occurred, bringing down a fall of earth and stones close to where they were working. This circumstance helped to hasten their departure from the uncanny region.

During these years—from 1845 to 1848—and for some years following, the Maori troubles in the North Island were still going on. Sir George Grey was then Governor, and he won the trust of the people at that time by his able administration, and the firmness and wisdom with which he acted during these troublous times. Immigration was for some time stopped, and the progress of the countrv more or less retarded by the long protracted Maori wars. Prices, however, were good at this time, owing to the demand in the North Island for dairy produce for the use of the troops. Butter was then 2s. 6d. per lb.; cheese, page 113Is. 6d. or Is.; eggs, 2s. 6d, per dozen; and Wellington was the best available market nearer than Sydney.

The French colony located in Akaroa was also a fairly good market for dairy produce. Before they began to make cheese (which they always shipped to Wellington when possible to do so) Mr. Hay carried the weekly supply of butter in a box strapped on his back to Akaroa. This fatiguing journey of thirty miles in one day, over a steep, rugged road, carrying a load varying from 30 to 70 lbs. of butter, he had to, undertake every week for two years. Sometimes they salted part of the weekly supply, and packed it in jars for transport to Wellington, when a chance occurred of a vessel going—which was not usually oftener in those days than once or twice a year,

In connection with the French colonists and British possession of Akaroa is a romantic story, which is worth relating briefly en passant. (For fuller details see "Tales of Banks Peninsula," pp. 87–100.)

As early as 1835" an adventurous Frenchman, Captain L'Anglois, came on a whaling cruise round New Zealand waters, and chanced to sail up the lovely natural harbour of Akaroa, with which he was immensely charmed, and coveted for a colony of France. Again "he came, he saw, he conquered," for in 1837 he purchased a large tract of Peninsula land from the Maoris, though it was not altogether a bona fule transaction, the price being low, and only a very small fraction of it paid to the Chief, and no legal document having been executed, so far as is known. However, he returned to France, got a company started, called the "Nantes-Bordeaux Compagnie," it being formed by merchants of Nantz, Bordeaux, and Paris. In March, 1840, he set sail in an old ship of-war, the "Comte de Paris," taking out sixty-five emigrants—with crew and officers a total of 105 souls.

Akaroa

In 1848 the Otago settlement was formed, and it is well known how quickly it progressed. There was still considerable uneasiness felt for some time, lest the Maoris should rise in rebellion in the South Island as well as in the North, but they were not numerous enough, especially on the Peninsula. They were becoming influenced all over by Christianity, and cannibalism was virtually a thing of the past by this time.

In a letter to his wife's parents at Home, dated September, 1847, Mr. Hay mentions the price of fat bullocks in Wellington as netting 3¾d. per lb. "after paying all expenses." In the same letter he refers to Mr. J. Deans' successful purchase of sheep in Sydney (see "Riccarton" chapter). Mr. Deans had just returned with 600 sheep, losing only twenty on the voyage of three weeks. Mr. John Hay had bought a few, and Mr. Hay would have liked to commission Mr. Deans for himself, but, to quote from a letter to his brother, "being short of funds and uncertain what they might cost," he was minded to possess his soul in patience till he had the means to buy. This was characteristic of the man; his aversion to incurring debt was perhaps the secret of his success. He had then 55 head of cattle, and hoped soon to own 200 or 300 sheep, page 117which, to quote his own words, "would give them at start towards better things."

Occasionally Mr. Hay sent fat bullocks to Wellington when beef was in demand for the troops. His mode of shipping them was ingenious, if rather primitive. He had small yards made on the beach a mile and a half down the right side of the bay, where there was a sheltered "bight:" there the bullocks were "yarded up." The craft meanwhile was anchored as close to shore as possible, and a strong rope attached to a windlass, the end of which was thrown ashore and securely fastened round the bullock's horns. It was then wound up on the windlass, and the hapless beast swung out over the water and hoisted up into the boat.

Horses were almost unknown in the land at this time; they were at any rate not available on the Peninsula. The first ever seen by our young colonials, James and Tom, caused them such consternation that the episode, one of the earliest within their recollection, was indelibly stamped on their memories. They were very intent on their game at the door, when suddenly, hearing a voice, they looked round to find two men on horseback close to them. Terrified they ran to hide from the monsters they imagined might swallow them, and found comfort in their mother's arms! Messrs. G. and R. Rhodes were the riders, and little thought they what fear filled the breasts of the small boys at the novel sight of their steeds. It was long before the boys could look upon a horse unmoved, the more so as some time elapsed after their first sight of the large strange animal, before it became a common sight to them. To show how unsophisticated our small boys were—the first time they became possessed of money was when a departing guest bestowed a live-shilling piece upon them. They immediately set tip a target on the beach, and had "shy" page 118about, until at last the crown piece was skiffed out into the sea. On being remonstrated with, James replied—"Oh, we wanted to see how far we could throw it. We would have lost it at any rate if we had given it to you, father!" The naivete of the retort won forgiveness from the parent for the imputation. Their ideas on the value of money have undergone a change since then!

Mrs. Hay had a great deal of work to get through at this period, with her young growing family and dairy, which increased as the years went on. It was then hardly possible to get help, so few people were in the country; but one young girl, Ann Firmagem, an orphan, found a home at Annandale for nine years, and Mrs. Hay proved a mother as well as mistress to her. She left about 1852 to enter a home of her own, having married Mr. Wm. Boag, now of Fendaltown. Mr. Boag arrived early after Canter-bury settlement was formed, and commenced his colonial career in Pigeon Bay, spending his first year and half with Mr. Hay. The elder children (boys as well as girls) were of necessity trained to be helpful to each other and their parents. Many a good day's play was enjoyed by James and Tom with a baby sister or brother, securely strapped to his back by means of a stout old shawl, whose "spell" it was (of hour about) to nurse the baby! One would imagine the progress of the games, or at least the speed of the players, would have been impeded by this arrangement; not so, the small encumbrance made no difference so long as he or she kept attached. That the poor little infants survived the effects of this violent exercise, and thrived apace, is the marvel! Yet no record remains of any catastrophe to neck or limb, and the health of the children from earliest infancy was perfect.

Dear to memory still are those glorious days of freedom, when our young heroes disported themselves in their page 119happy hunting-grounds! Along the banks of the cool, clear creek, many an adventure more or less daring was enacted. Frequently one or other fell in, and paid the penalty by lying on the sunny bank till dry, rather than go home to tell, and perhaps suffer in the flesh! "Jack Solomon "—a well-known figure for many years past in Annandale shearing-shed—was a "chum" after their own hearts, a very imp of merry mischief, ever fertile in resources for their sport. He could make flax boats to perfection, and speedily taught them the art. It enhanced their pleasure that the sailing craft used for their miniature regattas was all their own handiwork. "Jack," though a Maori in manner, speech and life, is utterly unlike his race in appearance, being fair, with a fine, open face, and good features. It is supposed that his parents were French, and that he was stolen in infancy by the Maoris; but, whatever romance may surround his origin, he remains to all intents and purposes a Maori, yet one who has prospered and holds a good position amongst them. Nothing delights him more than to recall the days "when they were boys together." What cared they that the schoolmasters were all in the other hemisphere, and boots and shoes impossible luxuries? Years later, when boots were held as necessary, being more easily obtainable after Canterbury settlement in 1850, came chilblains and other pedal miseries (hitherto unknown,) consequent on the vicinity of the aforesaid creek, which proved too alluring to be resisted, even in the interests of newly-shod feet!

The boys were most useful to their father, as well as to their mother, in helping to plant potatoes, clear scrub, milk, and find the cows morning and evening, not always on easy task through the dense bush and undergrowth. It was years after this date that the first paddocks were properly fenced off, consequently the cattle wandered far as page 120they browsed at their own sweet will, often many miles from the homestead. The Maori fences, before described, were only used for the cultivated patches near the homestead, and the daily hunt for the cows, especially in the dark, cold, wintry mornings, was no sinecure.

The four years which intervened between the loss of Captain Sinclair and his comrades and the arrival of the first of the "Pilgrim" ships, were quiet and uneventful, except for a very sad occurrence, which resulted in the death of one of the children at Annandale of whom by this time there were five James, Torn, Marion, William, and Hannah. The three younger ones were playing one afternoon in the "top paddock," where there was a log-fire burning. There had been a crop of potatoes grown in the paddock, and the little ones were amusing themselves by roasting potatoes round the fire, when Hannah's pinafore caught alight. Marion, who was the elder of the three, and about five years of age, with rare presence of mind for so young a child; at once extinguished the flames; but in doing so her own pinafore caught fire. Willie and Hannah were too young to be able to help her, and the frightened child ran home against a strong northerly wind, which only fanned the flames. Mr. Hay was within a few yards of home, returning from his weekly walk to Akaroa, when he heard the screams, and ran, arriving just as Mrs. Hay and Anne had wrapped the blazing child in their skirts and extinguished the flames. On examination they found her severely burned all over the body and limbs. The poor child suffered great agony for many hours, which their utmost efforts could not relieve. Fortunately a French whaling vessel was in the bay at the time, with a doctor on board, whose services they speedily obtained, and they had the satisfaction of knowing that everything possible was done for the little sufferer all through that terrible page 121night. In the early morning she died, mortification mercifully set in, so that latterly the pain ceased, and the bright, bonnie child had a peaceful end. She said to her mother shortly before her death, "I'm better now, mother, and I'm going to be a good girl, always." Her loving promise was literally fulfilled, for in a little while the innocent spirit had entered upon the sinless life. Her last words to her mother were—"Please give me a drink of cold, cold water, and I'll be good, mother."^*

Rev. John Inglis, missionary from the New Hebrides Islands, an old valued friend of Mrs. Logan's, showed great kindness to Mr. and Mrs. Hay while on a visit to New Zealand about this time. He wrote a kind letter and sent a Bible, on hearing of their bereavement, although personally unacquainted with them, an act of Christian sympathy they never forgot.

In 1849 Mrs. Sinclair and her family returned to Craig-forth, and there they remained for the next 10 or 11 years. During that time until their final departure from New Zealand—early in the sixties—the two families were most friendly. Mrs. Hay and Mrs. Sinclair acted the part of sisters to each other. In times of sickness or family troubles of whatever kind, each depended, and not in vain, on the other's help and sympathy. For eight years the only white women in Pigeon Bay were under the roofs of Craigforth and Annandale, so it is not to be wondered at that they were drawn very closely together.

About this date the whaling vessels often brought over gangs of men from Australia of doubtful character, "T'othersiders," Van Diemonians, &c, they were called, most of them being ex-convicts or "'Ticket-of-leave" men, and many of them were very clever workmen. Mr. Hay was often very glad to secure their services, undesirable as some of them were as to character, for bush-felling and timber-sawing. Mr. Hay took orders for much of the timber used for building purposes in Port Cooper or Lyttelton, as it was soon after called. These men were more crafty than the natives, and required a sharp eye and firm mind to deal with them, their chief aim being to overdraw their wages or get into debt, and then "clear out." One of these men, during a drunken brawl, was killed by falling over the precipice on to the rocky beach close to Tom page 124White's old place—it was never quite known whether accidentally or by design on the part of his tipsy mates. Another threatened to shoot his employer, and came near to executing his threat. It may be imagined how trying to Mrs. Hay was the presence of such characters, yet to their credit be it said, they one and all respected her and Mr. Hay, who knew how to keep them in their places. He managed them, as he did the Maoris, by a wise combination of firmness, fairness and kindliness; he was strict in making his bargains, which he as strictly kept, insisting on the same integrity from his workmen. This was characteristic of Mrs. Hay as well. In her domestic management she was singularly just to all in her employment, yet strict and particular to a degree, while her true sympathetic nature won her the love and confidence of all who lived with her. Truly these words applied to her:—"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also and he praiseth her "Many in Pigeon Bay and elsewhere to this day can add their testimony to this; after long years their memories of her worth as friend or benefactress keep fresh and warm.

Just four months before the Canterbury Settlement began, another little son, was born, Robert; and in connection with his arrival Mr. Hay, who was full of Scotch humour of the dry order, perpetrated a good joke on two men—sawyers—who came down one evening to get a supply of stores from the house. They were of the boastful sort, prone to wax eloquent on the subject of their own exploits, and were quite ready for any display of valour - within safe limits Mr. Hay, with a serious countenance, informed them that a Maori had come during the night and taken possession, and that neither he nor his men had page 125been able to put him out. They protested their ability and eagerness to assist in the eviction, and followed Mr. Hay quietly to the room, where he told them the Maori was just then enjoying a nap, expecting to surprise and "pin" him. It was true—the faces of the two men wore a look of blank bewilderment, as they entered and saw, instead of a swarthy Maori warrior, an infant sleeping in his cradle.'

One of these men invented a novel idea for pig stealing, which for-its originality deserves mention He hollowed out a potato, tilled the cavity with dry mustard, and, as the pig swallowed the bait and choked in consequence, he took the opportunity to dispatch him, poor piggy being incapable of even a feeble squeal! These little perform acnes and others of a like nature, such as abstracting beef from the pickle tub, eggs from the nests, &e., were carried on successfully for some time by one mate, while the other, who excelled in "spinning yarns," was entertaining the inmates of the kitchen, and keeping generally a sharp look-out for chances! "When rogues fall out, honest men get their- due," though for- long there was every certainty, without absolute proof, of these worthies' peccadilloes'; it was only when they quarreled and one told on the other that their modus operanki became known, and then it was a case of "locking the stable door after the steed was stolen." Mr. and Mrs. Hay made the best of their sure groundings, however adverse, but how must they have longed to see the face of an honest friend! The coming of the Canterbury Settlement was looked forward to as the great epoch of their lives, and can we wonder?