Pen Picture of Willsher.

In his book, “Early Days in Otago,” Mr. William Ayson gives his personal experience of Willsher:

“When we arrived in Dunedin in 1853 I heard that Willsher had about 40 head of cattle. He did not return to Sydney, but lived with the Maoris at Willsher Bay. He took to himself a Maori wife, a Chieftainess named Makariri. Russell never spoke to him after that…

“Some time in the late 1850's Willsher cleared off to England and never returned. He did not take with him his Maori wife, who was left to mourn his loss…

“As I have never seen a photo of Willsher, and I do not think there is any in existence, a description of him may be of interest. He was a man of about 40 years of age as I remember him, and would be about 5 feet 10 inches in height. He had clear–cut features, and was of good appearance. His eyes were blue, and his beard was inclined to be fair, but not ginger. Willsher was a very gentlemanly, well–educated Englishman, and was a man with a ready wit.”