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Chapter XXIV.
New Arrivals.

On the 24th September, 1874, the same old ship we heard of in our last chapter — "Crusader" — commanded by Captain Rennant, sailed from Plymouth with 375 emigrants and 17 saloon passengers, under the medical care of John Guthrie, in company with whom and the writer came Mr. and Mrs. Aitken and their son William (uncle, aunt and cousin), who were coming out to join the other members of their family settled in New Zealand. The long voyage was enlivened by the usual excitements—flirtations, jealousies and gossippings in the saloon, while the emigrants and crew attempted even a few serious revolts against the discipline of the ship, giving the captain and doctor more than their share of anxiety in controlling the disturbing elements. It was with feelings of relief, therefore, to captain and doctor especially, that on the morning of the 31st December, 1874, the end of the long, hazardous voyage was reached.

Our first and worst storm was encountered in the Bay of Biscay, and it seriously damaged the ship, but only the captain, his officers, and the doctor knew of it. It was well the numerous passengers did not realise the danger that threatened. Although all knew there must be a leak, since the pumping engines were kept going night and day, and the male emigrants had to assist page 266by turns at the work of pumping the water out of the hold, still the magnitude of the danger was not dreamt of. It was afterwards found that some of her rivets had been pasted out, and iron plates loosened, the result of the vessel having on a previous voyage carried a cargo of vitriol. The captain and doctor consulted whether or not to turn back for repairs, but decided to go on, and a most anxious voyage it was for them. Once, when in calm water, the doctor wished much to dive down and inspect the state of the ship from beneath, a proposal the captain vetoed decidedly. Well it is for us sometimes to be in ignorance, even if we live in a "fool's paradise" part of our lives! The nervous dread experienced by some of us during that 97 days' voyage would have been considerably heightened had we known the true state of affairs. After a time the leakage seemed less than at first, and, when, soon after our arrival, the ship was docked at Dunedin, they found out the cause. A fish had got wedged in the largest hole, and most fortunately kept its place securely, other wise we should have been in still more danger of foundering. Captain Renant was horrified to find the ship in such a wretched condition, little did he imagine when he took command that she was so utterly unseaworthy.

Late on New Year's Eve we steamed into Pigeon Bay in the steamer "Halcyon," leaving John still on duty in the, ship. Tom Hay and Hannah had come to Lyttelton that day to meet us, and soon we transferred ourselves and belongings to the small steamer, which Tom chartered to take us "home." We were just in time to see the old year out, and Welcome in the new, a fit time to enter on the first stage of our new life! On the first day of the year 1875 we opened our eyes to see the beauties of our new home, and the first sounds that greeted our ears were the clear and lovely notes of the moko-moko and tui, rarely page 267beautiful songbirds, which, sad to say, are now fast becoming extinct in New Zealand.

There was great excitement on both sides when the "new chums" arrived. The life in Pigeon Bay was as different to our life at "Home" as the quiet bay itself was antipodean in every sense to our city surroundings in the Old Country. This difference was much more noticeable then than now, perhaps because the old life is fast becoming a far-back memory to us; so the new-comers had much to learn. The welcome extended to us, however, left nothing to be desired. No one could be with Mrs. Hay, whose motherly kindness was natural to her, without feeling the helpful influence of her true heart and practical common-sense. The writer can never think of her but with gratitude and love for her goodness, which neither failed nor varied during all the years that followed.

The first Hay brother to be married was Tom, the one who everybody thought would be the very last to commit the deed, and no doubt he astonished himself quite as much as his friends by the act.^* Matrimony is often epidemic in a family: the first news this couple heard while on their honeymoon trip to the West Coast was John Guthrie's capitulation to the charms of Marion Hay, their engagement having speedily followed this marriage. John was then Resident Surgeon in Christchurch Hospital; but when in April following, viz., 1876, his marriage took place, he had begun to practice in Christchurch. He had bought a house in an out-of-the way part of the city, and did not allow himself time to establish a practice there, but, perhaps hastily, removed to Akaroa within two years. There he remained for five years, and although he found the life all he could wish, the work was hard, his rides being long and rough, and his responsibility great, page 268no other doctor being nearer than Christchurch—over sixty miles away.

The firstborn of the young generation of Hays-—our son, Ebenezer—began his career on March 2nd, 1876. He reigned over the house of May with undisputed sway, until a year or two later his sister Annie and cousin Jack (Guthrie made their appearance almost simultaneously.

Thomas Orr Guthrie had by tin's time: viz., 1878, arrived in New Zealand. He too had a troublous voyage out in charge of the emigrant ship "Apelles," with 360 immigrants. Strange it was that, like his brother John, Tom Guthrie had to stand by the captain of the ship, and with him and one officer combat a threatened mutiny on board. The discontent was chiefly with the single men, who were Irish peasants, ignorant and superstitious. Some of the sailors also became troublesome. One man, who refused to obey the Captain's orders, was put in solitary confinement for a fortnight. More than once the Captain and Doctor alone and armed faced the whole lot of the would be mutineers. The Captain, like Tom, was quite a young man, but he was very resolute and brave. They had a most difficult position to hold against such odds, but by dint of determination and watchfulness they maintained the balance of power on board, and reached Auckland, happily without any actual disturbance having taken place.

After a stay of a month or two at Annandale, Dr. Tom Guthrie began to practice in Lincoln district, where he had hard work for four years. His first weeks, in this part of Canterbury, where the population was a widely scattered one, were saddened by the news of our dear father's death on September 18th, 1878, which was a great and unexpected blow to us all, as we have already related.

As if to rouse us from unavailing grief, and give us pressing need to take up with both hands the duties of life page 269and love, came a time of keenest anxiety for all, when the life of our dear mother—Mrs. Hay—hung in the balance for weeks. Her illness was the result of an accident, caused by the overturning of a dog-cart. The trap was a borrowed one (the first and only one we ever borrowed), in which Mrs. Hay, a lady friend, Tom Hay, and the writer set forth in good faith to spend a night with the Wainui friends, Mr. and Mrs. Reid. How thankful we felt after wards that the horse was quiet, the pace slow, and the road (where we were overturned) good; otherwise a fatal accident would most likely have been the result, the road in so many parts being steep and dangerous. When three miles distant from Wainui, the wheel passing over a small stone was enough to cause the main spring of the trap—to snap, instantly the dog-cart capsized, and we were all thrown out, fortunately on the inside of the road. On the other side was a precipice sheer down into the sea, some fifty or sixty feet below! We were afterwards told that this spring was cracked almost through, but that the owner "reckoned it safe enough for the journey."

To add to the horror of the situation, it was getting dark, and the road was lonely. The frightened horse had to be caught and secured; then Tom came to help us raise Mrs. Hay, who could not bear to be moved from where she lay. She had been struck on the back by the trap as it fell over. None of the rest of our party were injured, beyond a few bruises. A man who rode up to us a few minutes afterwards went back to Mr. Knight's, of Tikau, a mile distant, for help. In a short time Mr. Knight himself drove to our aid with his large buggy (one from which the seats could be removed), on which was laid a mattress and pillows. We had the greatest difficulty in lifting our poor mother in, and then out of the buggy; every page 270movement caused her intense agony, and most thankful we were to get her into bed at last. We feared her back was broken, and it was very nearly so. The Doctors were soon with us. Tom Hay got a boat and crossed the harbour to get Dr. John Guthrie, both returning to us without delay; yet the minutes seemed hours, the hours days, before they came. Dr. Tom Guthrie arrived from Lincoln next day; but a week passed before they could give us any hope of her recovery.

As long as life shall last the memory of that first night's suspense will remain with us. With the morning came the relief of work. Hannah joined us then, and together we nursed and watched her, with all our hearts strained on the issue. God was merciful and spared her to us. As with pain, so it is with joy: we cannot forget the supreme moments. As we saw her gradually regain her strength and powers of motion, our hearts were filled with thankfulness to God, who heard our prayers and granted us our heart's desire.

She was able to get downstairs to join Mr. and Mrs. Knight's family party on Christmas day, and by New Year's Day was strong enough to bear the journey home, exactly six weeks after the day of the accident. Mr. and Mrs. Knight accompanied us home, Mr. Knight driving and it delighted us all to see how our mother enjoyed the drive and welcome home. It was a happy family party that gathered round the dear mother at Annandale on that bright New Year's Day. The house was gay with flowers; a dainty feast was spread, Mary being the presiding genius, and every face beamed with joy. The most exuberant of all, perhaps, in expressions of delight, were the three little people, Ebbie and Annie Hay, and Jack Guthrie," though they were too young to understand anything beyond the fact that the "dear gannie" was back with them again.

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The true kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Knight throughout that time we cannot over-estimate. They threw their house open to our family, and showed us sincere sympathy and most kindly soothing during our weeks of anxiety, for which we all hold them in lasting gratitude.