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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

[introduction]

The year 1940 is in every sense a centennial year for South Otago. For a definite settlement was established at Port Molyneux in the year 1840.

Starting from a base of definite local knowledge, by making inquiries in Sydney and elsewhere; by searching newspaper files in Sydney, Wellington, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Balclutha: by investigating old land claims in Wellington; and by a methodical reading of all old records—it has been possible to fit together all the parts of what was a few years ago an intricate jig–saw puzzle.

The early history of South Otago is recorded in the “Reminiscences of the Early Settlement of South Otago,” edited by John Wilson. Therein this passage occurs:—

“During the New Zealand land boom in 1839–40, one Thomas Jones, merchant in Sydney, became a large operator. He claimed to have purchased from the native owners 307,000 acres of land, of which 256,000 acres were in the Molyneux district. A syndicate was formed, stock purchased, and the brig “Portenia” chartered to convey a party to the Molyneux. Besides Jones himself, she carried George Willcher, William Bessant, Conning, and Thomas Russell. Willcher represented Jones as resident agent, Bessant represented two men, Cruikshanks and Cohen, who belonged to the syndicate, while Conning represented an area of 7000 acres purchased from Jones.

“Russell's status is not specially known, but the likelihood is that he was another purchaser from Jones. He remained in the colony till his death, which occurred in Dunedin many years ago. He had been awarded 100 acres in place of his original claim of thousands of acres, and he lived all along in hopes of getting further concessions—hopes which were never realised.

“The voyage was a tempestuous one, and all the stock perished except one cow. The party landed near the Karoro Creek, and Willcher was so disgusted with the failure of the expedition that he remained in New Zealand. He secured a section of some twenty acres of land at the mouth of the Karoro, and the bay near Port Molyneux is called Willcher Bay after him.”