Chapter XXI.

The energy and activity with which Mr. Macandrew commenced his career as colonist must have been highly beneficial in those depressed and struggling days. Almost immediately after his arrival he issued a prospectus for the establishment of a joint stock bank, to be called the Otago Banking Company, with a capital of £20,000 in shares of £10 each. Prior to their departure from England, he and Mr. W. H. Reynolds, his partner, had made monetary arrangements with this view in end, and they brought out a large batch of notes for 10s., 1l., and 5l. value. But it was found that the Bank Charter Ordinance of the Colony interfered with this scheme, as it required the whole of the subscribed capital to be paid within four years of the date of charter, a requirement wholly out of proportion to the small amount of business then transacted. To meet the difficulty, a second prospectus was issued reducing the capital to the much more adequate sum of £7,500. But further difficulties were in the way, and all application to the Governor for sanction was unavailing. It was shrewdly suspected that the provisions in the ordinance, and in an amendment which speedily followed, had been cleverly and covertly devised to prevent all rivalry with the Government paper currency of the Bank of Issue, and with the monopoly enjoyed by the Union Bank. Thus the crimp bank notes remain to this day useless and unsoiled. This circumstance was viewed as another grievance, another instance of indifference to the public convenience.

Still recognising the advantage to trade and industry of an additional form of circulating medium, Mr. Macandrew page 137devised the bold step of issuing his firm's promissory notes for 10s. and 1l., payable at short dates, against produce of all kinds, stock, and other securities, and used at their store for the purchase of goods. This step was ratified by the promised support of many people, who further appended their names to a requisition. Such an innovation was sure to meet with the opposition it promptly gained from those trade rivals who were quick to see a lost opportunity. Headed by Mr. John Jones, they denounced it as detrimental to trade and destructive of confidence in mercantile transactions, and prepared a petition to the Governor requesting him to prohibit so intolerable a scheme. Apparently the petition found few supporters, and the notes circulated for more than three years, with advantage, no doubt, to the issuers and the public. A crafty but unsuccessful attempt was made by Mr. Jones to "break the bank." He secretly accumulated the notes from all quarters to the amount of some thousand pounds, and then, with pockets well stuffed, repaired to his friends' store, asking for an adjustment of accounts. With equal wariness and secrecy, Macandrew & Co. had accumulated sovereigns which were lying in readiness for this expected day. The reply that there was no account between them was triumphantly met by Mr. Jones unloading pocket after pocket and asking for gold instead. To his chagrin and dismay, bag after bag of sovereigns was counted out until his last demand was satisfied, and then he was quietly asked if he had "any more." A peace was patched, and shortly afterwards Mr. Jones thought it to his advantage to issue his own notes. This he did, making them payable three days after date at Dunedin or Waikouaiti. They were engraved at Melbourne in a sumptuous, bank note style, in great contrast to his rival's homely pieces of paper. This mode of financing was not superseded until the 2nd of January, 1857, when the Union Bank opened a branch in Dunedin under the management of Mr. Alfred Jackson, and so inaugurated a proper state of finance.

Scanty though the population from the Taieri to the Molyneux was, not numbering more than 300 souls in 1853, Mr. Macandrew arranged for a three monthly service by means of small schooners of eight tons burthen. They were little better than open boats, and many a comfortless and adventurous voyage was made in them of sometimes a week's or ten days' duration. Still, they developed trade and settlement, and were another proof of this colonist's page 138foresight. His thorough interest in the questions of the hour and his competence as a speaker soon placed him in the position of a leader and prominent member of the Settlers' Association. The need for such a one was great, as the matters brought up for discussion by that society were of increasing importance, and the troubles of the community were undiminished.

Yet the efforts of the Association to procure justice and relief from the grievances of which it complained met with little success. Petitions, prayers and representations were alike unheeded, and it was at last recognised as useless to forward them to a Government persistently deaf. The old charge of misapplied revenue, of extravagant expenditure on unnecessary offices, whilst public works of importance were neglected, was a standing complaint. A vote for the repair of impassable roads, though passed in 1851, was unexpended in 1853. The buoys were adrift and ont of repair, the pilot was continually applying for an efficient boat's crew, and for funds to light the lamp at the pilot station. The business of the land and survey office was interfered with by a protracted dispute between Captain Cargill and Mr. Kettle regarding so small a matter as the custody of the office key. The former, as newly-appointed Commissioner of Lands, demanded it; the latter, as an undischarged servant of the company, and as the custodian of a valuable property, declined to yield it. The key thus became a sort of sceptre or emblem of authority. Captain Cargill thereupon dismissed Mr. Kettle, who refused the dismissal and appealed to the Governor, with whom he was persona grata. The Governor speedily ended the long dispute by reappointing Mr. Kettle as surveyor, much to Captain Cargill's chagrin.

The pasturage regulations were also surrounded by unrelieved doubts, and consequent inconvenience to the public. Under the original terms, land purchasers were entitled upon payment of an annual license fee of 10s. 6d. to depasture or run sheep and cattle upon such waste lands within the block as remained unappropriated. By virtue of certain Royal Instructions relating to the erection of counties, and dated 5th of December, 1840, the company claimed a further adjacent block of 600,000 acres for similar use by any of their settlers. On the surrender of the company these lands reverted to the Crown, and though Captain Cargill was then gazetted Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Otago block only, he received no definite instructions upon the subject of granting the runs. page 139The result was that he merely filed the applications for depasturage licenses as they were presented to him, whilst the applicants were left to pursue their further course as seemed best to them. Such were some of the many grievances to which there seemed no end, and for which there was no relief.

But deliverance was at hand, and that most critical period reached not only in the history of the Otago settlement, but in that of the whole colony. On the 5th of November, the little schooner Endeavour, of sixteen tons, arrived at Port Chalmers from Lyttelton after a week's voyage, bringing the glorious news that New Zealand had got at last the long-prayed-for Constitution Act conferring self-government. The people were wild with joy and excitement. A crier went through the town calling upon the people to illuminate; an attempt to fire the gun at the jetty failed owing to the dampness and scantiness of the powder. To remedy this, although the rain was falling in torrents, a volunteer party pulled down to Port Chalmers, brought up a barrel of powder, and then fired off the gun to everyone's content. The bell was kept ringing, blazing tar-barrels were thrown into the harbour, bonfires lighted, and every cottage illuminated with tallow dips. An impromptu ball was improvised on the jetty to the music of a fiddle, and, tired out with these unwonted rejoicings, the people brought the programme to a close, long past midnight, by appropriately singing "God Save the Queen." All felt their thraldom over, and for days the provisions of the new and highly-prized law were ardently discussed. The tables were turned, and those who failed to rejoice were the members of the "Little Enemy," who so long had basked in the sunshine of the old régime.

This great charter has been so mended and amended during the last forty years that of its original eighty-two clauses but fifteen now remain unaltered. Its great features were an unexampled freedom of self-government and control over the waste lands. The former was secured and distributed in an admirable way. Six provinces were established—those of Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago—each of which was governed by a superintendent and a Provincial Council, both elected by the people. The qualification for voters was confined to men possessing a freehold worth £50 clear, leaseholders paying a clear annual rent of £10, and householders paying annual rent of £10 if in town, or of page 140£5 if in the country. A term of residence was enjoined, varying from six months to three years. The Provincial Council was to sit once a year, and its period of existence was four years. It was empowered to pass laws, or ordinances as they were called, suited to the requirements of the Province, but could not legislate on subjects concerning the Colony.

For the government of the Colony as a whole there were constituted the two Houses which at present exist—the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives, together constitnting the General Assembly. The councillors were nominated by the Governor, in this respect resembling the old nominee System. They held their seats for life. As showing the fear and detestation in which the word "nominee" was held, Mr. Fox and others who assisted in passing the measure viewed the relating clauses as the great blots of the Act. The members of the House of Representatives were elected by voters, qnalified as before, to represent the various electoral districts into which, for the purpose, New Zealand was divided.

Sir John Pakington's instructions to Governor Grey were that the Act should be brought into force with as little delay as possible, and it was confidently expected throughout the Colony that these would be carried into effect within six months at the latest, making full allowance for the slow and uncertain communication between the settlements. Yet, though there was most anxious expectation throughout New Zealand, a long and grievous delay ensued. The local governments, the Provincial Councils, did not sit for nearly a year, and eighteen months elapsed before the meeting of the General Assembly. This order of calling the various bodies into existence was characterized by Mr. (Sir William) Fox as putting the cart before the horse, and it was, as will readily be conceived, productive of much inconvenience and many difficulties. The local bodies could not deal with the public revenue, nor could they frame laws for the Colony. These functions, and that of the general government, especially belonged to the Assembly, which, moreover, had a controlling power over the Provincial Councils. These incidents of an interesting period in our constitutional history need not here be further discussed. It must suffice to say that, by most, Sir George Grey's attitude was viewed as evincing to the last a desire to retard measures for which he had ever shown but little sympathy. His page 141departure from New Zealand was on the last day of 1853, whilst nve of the six Provincial Councils were in session. The General Assembly met in the May following, and was opened by Colonel Wynyard, the Acting-Grovernor.

The delight on receipt of the good news was irrepressible; the day after its receipt a requisition with 140 signatures was presented to Captain Cargill asking him to become a candidate for the office of Superintendent of the Province of Otago. Doubtless this was a hasty step, especially as the official proclamations were not issued for many weeks later. But it showed the sentiment of the people, and their readiness to throw down the gauntlet at the earliest opportunity. The year 1853 was one of continuous political commotion, partly caused by the unwarrantable delay in bringing the various portions of the new law into operation. Early in the year, and with more attention to the proprieties, the requisition was again presented to Captain Cargill, and was graciously accepted. Immediately thereupon the "Little Enemy" appeared in the field and put forth as their candidate Dr. Robert Williams, one of the most active and conspicuous of their number. In his address to his ninety signatories Dr. Williams spoke of the lethargic and imbecile condition under which the settlement languished, and of the narrow, sectarian, and national prejudices of its leaders. He could not well have said more, and he had reason for his bitter feeling. The Settlers' Association had always strongly and, as they thought, successfully opposed the appointment of Dr. Williams as Colonial Surgeon, with a probable salary of £400 or £500 a year. This they considered an utterly useless and unnecessary office, and the salary attached to it an extravagant expenditure of public money. Instances of the sort had already furnished them with abundant complaint, and they fought against a similar infliction. The flattering unction was now to be dispelled, and the powerlessness of the Association again shown. Shortly before the election Dr. Williams withdrew, the coveted office having been conferred upon him by the Governor, thus rendering him, as he said, incapable of discharging the duties of both offices. The boundaries of the Province were, on the east, west, and south the coast line, and on the north the River Waitangi to its source, and thence a right line running to the source of the Awarua and thence to its mouth, which opens at the present Jackson's Bay. This vast and almost unexplored region formed the largest of the six provinces. Its elec-page 142toral districts were two in number—the town of Dunedin and the Dunedin country district. Its Provincial Council (in addition to the Superintendent) consisted of nine members; three representing the town, and six the country. In the House of Representatives it was represented by three members; one for the town, and two for the country. As already said, the appointments to the Legislative Council were vested in the Governor, an arrangement deplored by many who would have had this, the Upper House, elective also. Much work lay before the Settlers' Association, and it girded itself accordingly, assured that its labours would now bear full fruit.

That function dear to Englishmen everywhere, a public dinner, was now held for the first time in the history of the settlement. It was given to Captain Cargill on the 6th of April as a testimony of respect and confidence towards him as leader of this settlement, and no pains were spared to make it as splendid an affair as possible. For a fortnight beforehand the sixteen stewards dispensed their tickets far and wide. The price of these was five shillings, large for those days, and quite above the means of many, but several gentlemen guaranteed the payment of all expenses. A special annexe was erected, fitting to one of the rooms of the Royal Hotel, the entire length being ninety-five feet. This was decorated with flags, the most conspicuous being the old Covenanters', as a special compliment to the guest. The tables were arranged down each side, with small cross ones at top and bottom, leaving a clear central space between. The dinner was cold, as there was no possibility of serving it hot; and as there were no waiters the company helped themselves. But food was plentiful. Turkeys were very scarce, yet two were found and sacrificed, and a fatted calf supplied an equally scarce dish of veal. Wine, beer, and good Scotch whisky abounded, and supplied whatever warmth the viands lacked. At six o'clock the company, to the number of 214, sat down, dressed in Sunday attire. Many came a distance of forty or fifty miles through rain and mire, a two days' journey on foot; the "Little Enemy" were conspicuous by their absence. Mr. Macandrew was in the chair. The toasts of the Queen and the Royal Family were received with vociferous cheering, the whole assembly standing whilst Mr. James Adam, the precentor, sang the National Anthem. The health of Governor Grey was proposed and received with neither remark nor enthusiasm. The chairman then gave the toast of the page 143evening, warmly commenting on their guest's sagacity, firmness, and love of the settlement, on the shameful treatment he had received, and pointing out that all must rally ronnd and place him, so specially fitted for it, into the office of Superintendent. Captain Cargill, who wore his Peninsular medal with seven clasps, replied with great fervour and acceptance, gave a short history of the Otago scheme, of its treatment in the colony, and congratulated his audience that the time was close at hand when they would be able to cleanse the Augean stables. He recommended them not to forget the registration rolls, and to remember election day, the 21st of September. Toasts followed of the "New Constitution," the "Rev. Mr. Burns' health," the "Otago Association," "Success to the Educational Institutions of Otago," the "Working Classes," and the "Sister Settlements." From time to time the proceedings were further enlivened by Mr. Adam, who sang Scotch songs, and at the respectable hour of half-past ten this first banquet closed with the chorus of "Auld Lang Syne." At this dinner were two English gentlemen of family who had recently arrived from home to cast in their lot with the Scotch community. These were Captain Bellairs, formerly of the Queen's Bodyguard, and Mr. Frederick Brock-Hollinshead of the 17th Lancers. Captain Bellairs had been connected with the Canterbury settlement through Mr. E. G. Wakefield, but, due to some misunderstanding with that gentleman, decided to commence pioneering in Otago. He it was who was appointed to a seat in the first Legislative Council for Otago. Mr. Brock-Hollinshead brought £20,000 with him, and commenced to build a mansion in that part of the Half Way Bush district to which he gave the name of Brockville. The name and the extensive foundations remain to this day. Both gentlemen were soon satisfied with their craze, and after a year or two returned whence they came. Captain Bellairs selected that eminence for his residence which he called Fernhill, afterwards sold to Mr. John Jones, and now the property of the Fernhill Club.

Barely was the banquet over before an advertisement appeared signed by the resident magistrate, Mr. Strode, requiring all persons qualified as electors to forward their claims for registration. The Settlers' Association was at once on the alert, for they recognised that every effort would be made by the opposition party to stuff or manipulate the rolls to their own advantage. Of this they had had experience a few months previously, when the electoral page 144roll was prepared in connection with that "Provincial Councils Ordinance" of Sir George Grey, which, it will be remerabered, was disallowed by the Colonial Office. On that occasion unscrupulous partisanship and despotic conduct were displayed by a portion of the Bench presiding at the registration meeting. Forewarned was now to be forearmed. A bare-faced attempt was made to enrol the Maoris, who certainly had not the qualifications, but who, by a convenient stretching, were considered to be householders and freeholders within the meaning of the Act. To secure their votes the "flour and sugar" policy was resorted to. It was known that the names of many persons of the right colour—or stamp as it was then called—but ineligible would be forwarded for enrolment, distance and inaccessibility being depended on to secure them from scrutiny. But the Association was alert and organised effectually. The committee alone subscribed £40 towards expenses, and they despatched messengers far and near to secure the interest of their fellow settlers in the movement and to ask for subscriptions, however small; the poorest responded, and many a shilling and half-crown showed their sympathy. Mr. John Gillies, whose descendants are well known in New Zealand, undertook to defend objections and to watch proceedings. This gentleman was a recent arrival, and as a lawyer had enjoyed considerable experience in registration courts at home. Beyond this the opinion of the Attorney-General, Mr. Daniel Wakefield, had been sought regarding the Maori claims, and this proved decidedly adverse to them. So that when the eventful 5th of July came round, the day of revisal and registration of the electoral list, it was marked by most unexpected quietness, and the anticipated opposition was hushed. True, a bold attempt was made to force the native claims—78 in number—and also 52 European claims, but Mr. Gillies's well-directed arguments demolished them, and they were struck out. This was virtually a defeat of the "Little Enemy," and it indicated further victory for those whose star had at last risen. The complete roll for the town contained 104 names, and for the country district 275. Many names appeared in both lists; probably there would be altogether 300 voters.

To add to the political ferment of this time, a new subject greatly exercised the public mind, one calculated above all others to produce discord, or at least serious difference of opinion between those who so far had marched shoulder to shoulder. This was Sir George page 145Grey's new land regulations, just then proclaimed. By the Constitution Act the waste lands were handed over to the General Assembly, but until that was convened the Governor was empowered to deal with them. The spirit of those instructions is apparent from what has preceded —a quickly summoned Assembly assuming immediate control over the landed estate. Instead of despatch there was delay, and under this interim power regulations were issued throwing open the lands of the Colony at a price of from 5s. to 10s. an acre. This was considered an arbitrary proceeding, and specially damaging to the Otago and Canterbury settlements, which controlled their own land sales, and so far were independent of the Governor. Who would purchase within either of them for 40s. an acre when outside but a fourth or eighth of the price was asked? The blow thus dealt to them was calculated to destroy the sources from which emigration and labour were derived, the provision for church and education, and the completion of surveys, roads, and bridges. Thus argued Captain Cargill and many of his friends, for meetings were called to discuss the subject. Their hands were strengthened by a case brought before the Supreme Court in Wellington, in which it was sought to restrain Mr. F. D. Bell, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, from selling land under the new regulations. Mr. Justice Stephen granted the injunction, entertaining no doubt that the Governor had acted ultra vires, inasmuch as the settlers had not consented to alter any contract existing between them and the New Zealand Company. The regulations were thus an infringement. And so for the time the question was suspended; but the ball had been set rolling, and dear versus cheap land became an election cry. Human nature is frail and prone to yield to temptation, and thus it happened that several of Captain Cargill's friends were quite prepared to swallow the bait and make large purchases careless of whether the General Assembly would later reverse or confirm the regulations. One of the results of this policy, afterwards carried out, was the creation of those vast estates which some recent legislation has been busied in "bursting up."

Continuing the slow and leisurely process of introducing the new Constitution, the writs for the election of Superintendent, Provincial Councillors, and members of the House of Representatives next appeared, the dates for the several elections being fixed to take place at the Court House on the 10th, 20th, 28th, and 30th of September page 146and the 7th of October; the dates of nomination being for town elections a day, and for those for the country a week, earlier. Captain Cargill was elected to the superintendency without opposition, his sponsors being Messrs. Macandrew and Brock-Hollinshead, and eighty electors were present. The only questioner was the Rev. J. A. Fenton, who sought the candidate's opinion on the education question—whether he would recommend a yearly grant for the purpose, and whether such grant should be divided amongst the various religious denominations or appropriated to generai schools under a general committee and with no reference to religious belief. Captain Cargill replied with caution; he believed in a large, liberal, compulsory education, would not obtrude his special views upon the Provincial Council, but would give force and effect to whatever conclusions that body formed on the subject. The important question of education was, however, barely referred to throughout the elections, although Mr. Fenton drew attention to and discussed it in two or three excellent letters to the Witness. He proposed the establishment of schools open to all, affording a sound, scriptural unsectarian education. He approved generally of the Irish national System. In his replies Mr. Gillies gave a general assent to the proposition, but desired to see the Shorter Catechism introduced. He, however, misrepresented or failed to understand many of Mr. Fenton's details. The correspondence excited no attention, which was usurped almost entirely by the land question.

To the House of Representatives Mr. Macandrew was elected for the town, and for the country district Messrs. John Cargill, son of the Superintendent, and Mr. W. H. Cutten; the three were unopposed. In reply to a question, Mr. Macandrew was opposed to the payment of members, saying that if the electors could not find men willing to represent them at their own charges they had better send none. As to education, he considered the schools should be under the absolute control of the Councils, and that the Bible and Shorter Catechism should be taught in them. The great feature of the election lay in the fact that all those elected were thoroughly opposed to the Government. Though many of its supporters had been proposed at a preliminary meeting, not one came forward, and the result was an emphatic protest against the neglect and indifference which the settlers considered had been shown to their interests. Reference has been made to the personnel of most of the members. Mr. Harris was a lawyer, who afterwards filled many important offices—Superintendent of the Province, Member of the Legislative Council, District Judge, and one of the Otago University Council; he married a daughter of Captain Cargill, and died in July, 1886. Mr. Adam was a shipwright, and the precentor of the First Church, was afterwards selected by the Provincial Council as Immigration Commissioner, and for many years has been a member of the Land Board. He yet lives, a prosperous and respected settler, near Milton. Mr. Rennie was a tailor, always page 148held in great respect and liking by his fellows. Of sound common sense, ever ready for any good word or work, he for years connected himself with many religions and charitable organizations. He died in June, 1889. Mr. Gillies, who died in 1871, held for a time the office of Resident Magistrate, and was registrar of births, marriages, and deaths. One of his sons was the late Mr. Justice Gillies of Auckland. Mr. Anderson was an old Wellington settler, had been connected with the salmon fisheries at home, commenced business in Dunedin as a storekeeper, then became a stock-owner at the Clutha, where he still resides. He owns the well-known property of Bellknowes, near Dunedin. Mr. Edward McGlashan, a merchant, was brother of the secretary of the Lay Association. The duty now devolved on Captain Cargill of summoning the newly formed Council to its first meeting. This was no easy task, owing to the few and irregular opportunities of communication with other parts of New Zealand, always a source of embarrassment and of semi-isolation. The Constitution Act directed superintendents to summon their Council by proclamation appearing in the Government Gazette, which was published at varying intervals at Wellington. The first available opportunity of forwarding this was on the 11th of December, two months after the elections, when the Rajah, which had arrived some weeks previously with emigrants, pursued her onward voyage to Wellington. To cover all difficulties of wind and weather the date of meeting was fixed for the 14th of January, 1854, but as news was unexpectedly received of the Rajah's quick passage, the session was opened on the 30th of December.

As a new era here commences it will be convenient now to mark a few points of progress during the preceding three years that have been untouched. Throughout the newly formed province on the 1st of January, 1854, there was a population of 2400 in round numbers—1350 males and 1050 females. But as this includes the outlying districts from the Waitaki to the Bluff, which for the first time were comprised within the new boundaries, it will be proper to deal with the Otago block alone, which contained about 2000 souls. Of these there were more than 700 in Dunedin; in the suburban districts immediately around, the North East Valley, Half Way Bush, Anderson's Bay, and Caversham, there were 500; at Port Chalmers, 80; East and West Harbour, 150; Green Island, 100; East Taieri, 170; West Taieri, 90; Waihola and Tokomairiro, page break

From an old drawing.]
Dunedin, Looking Across The Harbour.
[To face p. 148.

page 149140; and the Clutha, 70. Much of the country had been taken up as runs under the depasturage licensing system, and throughout the block there would probably be about 35,000 sheep, 3000 cattle, and 200 horses. For the whole province these numbers might be doubled. There were 2000 acres under cultivation, chiefly cropped with wheat, oats, and grass, of which 1000 bushels of grain were exported during 1853. The price of cattle ranged from £10 to £18, sheep 35s., horses from £35 to £50. Flour was 40s. per 100 lbs., wheat 10s. a bushel, bread 1s. 6d. 4 lb. loaf, meat 5d. to 7d., milk 4d. a quart, potatoes £8 a ton, hay £5 10s., sawn timber 17s. per 100 feet.

Though there was little improvement in the means of communication, snug homesteads had sprung up throughout the settlement, and it was at least possible for the traveller on foot or on horseback to traverse its length and breadth in the fair certainty that by nightfall he would meet with a hearty if homely welcome. The journey south was one of three days if the weather was fine. Clad in corduroy trousers, woollen shirt, well greased boots and straw hat, the traveller, who was probably intrusted with the charge of settlers' letters along his route, followed the devious way over low hills, clothed with high flax and fern and crossed with swampy water-courses, until the Taieri plain was reached. Keeping close to the spurs of Saddle Hill and avoiding the impenetrable swamp and flax on his right, the evening brought him to the bush then known as Maitapapa, but now Henley, where the hospitable Mr. Charles Milne dwelt, and Mr. John McLean. Next day the native village was passed, the horses swam across the river, and the Waihola Lake skirted, upon whose banks half-a-dozen families were settled, amongst them Mr. James Gillon, one of whose sons has since held a high position as a journalist. Passing through the Gorge, with the curiously shaped Horse Shoe Bush on the right, one of Mr. Valpy's properties, the Tokomairiro Plains come into view. The track here turned to the left under the hills and away from the present line of traffic; here were about fourteen families, amongst them the Salmonds, Blacks, Martins, Duthies and John Cargill. At one of these houses the second day's journey ended. The railway and the present town of Tokomairiro or Milton have left this old settlement solitary. Milton derived its name, not from the great poet, but from the fact that the town sprang up around the flour mill which the late Mr. Peter McGill erected— page 150Milltown. The third day's journey was the most adventurous. The road was circuitous, boggy, over hill and down dale, and easily lost. But the Molyneux sighted and Mr. Pillans' pretty cottage reached, all danger was ended. Mr. Pillans resided here with his nephews, the Maitlands. He was a man of refinement, had been a Zante merchant, and was rather proud of being a close relative of that Pillans who, according to Byron, traduced his friends. Already land was being occupied south of the Molyneux, the crossing of this, the greatest river in New Zealand, being effected by a boat belonging to one Andrew McNeill. Many a passenger has spent hours or lain in the flax all night whilst fruitlessly attempting to secure his passage across. None but those who have experienced it know the anxiety and dread of thus waiting amidst such solitudes, and perhaps without food. A curious case to the point occurred in the writer's experience. He was called to visit a solitary old man frequently seen in the streets of Dunedin, and always carrying a bundle tied to his back. Finding him at the point of death, and learning from his landlady that, though apparently poor, he was possessed of great wealth, the writer proposed to make his will, as there was no time for delay. But the old man could think of no heritor; he was alone and friendless. Asked who had ever done him a kindness, he suddenly replied, "Yes, I well remember reaching the bank of the Clutha river one dreadful night, belated and hungry. I 'cooeed' for a long time, and when I had given up all hope Mr. Clapcott, the runholder, kindly came across for me, gave me a meal, and made me comfortable for the night." In this gentleman's favour the will was accordingly made, the writer securing for his part of the booty the mysterious bundle, which contained some old and tattered New Zealand Company's Reports and other similar documents relating to the old man's claim to land.

In May, 1852, Mr. William Henry Valpy, junior, accompanied by two shepherds, made the journey overland from Christchurch in twelve days' hard travelling, with a view to see the carrying capacity of the country and the feasibility of driving stock across it, and the rivers especially. In days earlier still the journey had been accomplished wholly or in part by Dr. Shortland, Mr. Tuckett, Bishop Selwyn, and others. In April of the same year Mr. Alexander McDonald left Dunedin to explore the country south of the Clutha. He pushed his way to the Bluff, page 151and returned after an absence of four months from his bold and adventurous exploration. Both travellers brought back glowing accounts of the country through which they had passed, well watered, grassed and timbered; a country whose purchase from the natives was almost complete, and would then be added to the original settlement for development and administration under the new provisions. All felt that a crisis was at hand, and that activity and progress must soon dissipate the old stagnation. As it was the life and vigour of the country were in marked contrast to the slow advancement of the town. Yet there was some improvement. Over the Water of Leith a really substantial bridge had been erected capable of carrying ten tons. It replaced an old rickety affair over which the ludicrous spectacle was often seen of men and women crossing on all-fours. Many who could not afford money contributed their labour instead, and this excellent method was also resorted to in improving the roads in the neighbourhood of the town. It had long been recognised that no aid could be looked for from Government grants, and that in this way the settlers must put their shoulders to the wheel. An occasional quarrel still continued to enliven the townsfolk, and it was amusingly remarked that those who took part in them seemed to exhibit their black eyes and other bruises with as much pride as if they had been won in the service of their country. There were two notable examples of these, in both of which justices of the peace were principally involved. In one, Mr. Cutten, the outspoken editor, was severely belaboured by two or three, but, full of courage and well armed with a good cudgel, he came off by no means second best. By the time the affray was over and the victory decided, the whole street had turned out and was prepared to take sides. A very clever and amusing description in verse of the encounter appeared in the following week's Witness. In the other, Mr. Macandrew was the victim, and he was assaulted, with little justification, in his own store. The aggressor, as in the previous case, belonged to the "Little Enemy," and it was perhaps due to this that he escaped with the modest fine of 30s.

Business was slowly increasing. Apart from special trades, such as those of butcher, baker, tailor, and shoemaker, there were half-a-dozen little shops which transacted most of the trade, purchasing their own goods from the merchants. But the merchants themselves were shopkeepers writ large, combining import business with page 152retail trade, selling all things, as the phrase goes, "from a needle to an anchor." Mr. Mantell is responsible for the story that in a merchant's store he picked up one day a good second-hand copy of Horace and asked its price. Looking at the title, the merchant replied, "'Opera Horatii'; oh, you can have it at your own price, there's no demand for music here." Another merchant, for the credit of Scotland not a Scotchman, told a customer that he had in stock a new consignment of emanuel saucepans; and it was he who spoke of a crystallised—meaning christianised—Jew.

From October 1st, 1853, the date of the completed elections, the revenue and expenditure came under the control of the Province, and for the first half-year these (not, however, complete) were severally £1788 and £602, leaving a credit balance of £1180. Some of the money had been retained by Mr. Strode for the natives, from whom the last remaining unsold portion of the South Island had just been purchased by Mr. Mantell, the land commissioner. This magnificent purchase comprised all the land south of a line drawn from Milford Sound to the Molyneux river, and contained about 4½ millions of acres. The price paid was £2,600, by instalments.

The slow but steady increase of settlement from Green Island to the Clutha made it almost imperative that at least one school, and, if possible, a church, should be provided. Mr. Burns's visits to these distant districts were necessarily rare, and when undertaken involved unavoidable neglect of his town duties. It was impossible for one man, however energetic, to discharge the work, which grew more extensive every year. These difficulties had been laid before the Colonial Committee of the Free Church on more than one occasion, and this body finally pledged itself to raise a sum of £700 or £1000 in aid, and the Rev. Mr. Bonar, the convener, was authorized to select an additional minister. It was, therefore, with the greatest satisfaction that news was received towards the close of 1853 that two ministers had been appointed by the committee, the Revs. William Will and William Bannerman, and might be expected at the beginning of the following year. The settlers, who had already erected a small school, used also as a preaching station, at the East Taieri, at once organized a district sustentation fund towards the support of their coming minister. Liberal contributions were also made in Dunedin. On February 5th the two clergymen arrived by the Stately, and page 153were warmly welcomed. They were afterwards inducted to their charges by Mr. Burns. That of Mr. Will included Green Island, the whole of the Taieri, and Waihola, whilst Tokomairiro to the south of the Clutha for some miles was apportioned to Mr. Bannerman. On the 27th of June the first presbytery of Otago was inaugurated at the first church, and in the presence of an interested audience of 250 people. This marked an era in the progress of the Church of quite as important a kind as that of the Provincial Council, which had shortly before completed its first session. Addresses were prepared for presentation to the Queen, the Governor, and the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland. The various courts and committees were formed, and after a two days' session this historical meeting was closed. Mr. Burns, who had been chosen moderator, issued an eloquent pastoral letter a few days afterwards. Mr. Will still remains in charge of his first cure, whilst Mr. Bannerman, who married one of Mr. Burns's daughters, has for some years been superannuated on account of a severe accident.

Mr. John McGlashan, who with his family had arrived by the Rajah, was publicly banquetted on the 21st of October. This was a well-deserved honour, for Mr. McGlashan, having laboured hard at home in the service of the settlers, was once more preparing to devote himself to their interests. The room in the old Royal Hotel was completely full, and, as before, Mr. Macandrew filled the chair. Mr. McGlashan, in returning thanks, reviewed at some length the history and doings of the Lay Association in their efforts for the Otago scheme. Though he had been an ardent conservative in all connected with it, he now saw how much modification it required.