Port Molyneux : the story of Maori and pakeha in South Otago : a centennial history : commemorating the landing of George Willsher and his companions at Willsher Bay, June 28, 1840 : with a programme for the unveiling of the centennial cairn, erected by the Clutha County Council, June 28, 1940
A Scrap of History
A Scrap of History.
In 1889 “A Scrap of History” was published in the Southland Times, and from it the following extracts are taken:—
“There were originally four persons who settled at Molyneux Bay, bringing with them the stock mentioned in the letter, in the ship “Portenia,” Captain Morris. Of the cattle only one cow was landed.
page 11Fortunately this cow was in calf, and with much joy to her owner, Mr Willcher, the calf was a bull. From this beginning a herd of 600 head was eventually raised. Some of the goats and pigs that were landed strayed into the bush.
“The names of the original settlers were Thomas Russell, Robert Conning, Mr George Willcher (acting for Thomas Jones, merchant, of Sydney), and T. W. Bessant (acting for Cruickshanks and Cohen, of Sydney). Of these, Russell and Willcher obtained grants of land. Bessant and Conning resided there about twelve months, and, being disgusted with the solitude and privations forced upon them, returned to Sydney at the first opportunity. Russell died about fifteen or twenty years ago in Dunedin; Willcher left for England about twelve years ago, and it is not known whether he is still alive.”