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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

Where did Willsher and Russell Build?

Where did Willsher and Russell Build?

Willsher built his house on the edge of the Karoro Creek, about 400 yards from the present concrete bridge. On the space between the present road and the creek, this little house stood. Fruit trees, apples, cherries and gooseberries were planted, and the old boys of the district well remember the apples that grew there; Emma Potiki, one of the daughters of Ihaia Potiki, confirms this story. This old apple tree survived until recently, but picnic parties chopped away at it. In a last effort to protect this historic apple tree, lovers of old Port Molyneux put a barb wire fence around the mutilated tree. But the vandals triumphed, and the tree is no more.

Russell constructed his wattle and daub house out on the terrace, between Rowley's and the Erlstoke dwelling, and on a site which is now occupied by the road to the Nuggets. This was a terrace one hundred years ago, and covered with very heavy manuka, but, owing to the sea cutting in, the distance from the site of Russell's house to the sea is to–day much less than it was.

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