Arrival of the “Slains Castle.”

The “Slains Castle,” commanded by Captain James Petre, left Deal on the 18th September, 1840, and arrived on the 29th January, 1841, with 41 married couples, 24 single men, 21 single women, 42 children under fourteen, 34 under seven and 15 under one. 5 births and 4 deaths occurred on board.

The passenger list is as follows:—

^* Did not embark.

Name	Age	Wife's Age	No. of Children
Allen, John (widower)	35	—	1
*Ashworth, Thos. and Mary	20	28	1
Baron, Geo. and Helen	40	41	3
Baron, Geo., Junior	19	—	—
Barrow, Louiza	20	—	—
*Binns, Chas. and Sarah	35	35	—
Blake, Geo. and Sarah	38	35	6
Boysen, Peter and Jane	29	37	2
Brungar, Geo.	24	—	1
Brungar, Mary	—	22	—
Burkett, Benjamen	38	—	3
Burkett, Mary	—	35	—page 77
Butler, Jas. Henry	24	—	1
Butler, Martha	—	25	—
Carley, Ann Maria	29	—	—
Chisholm, Adam	30	—	—
*Clarke, Stephen and wife	33	28	3
* Cochran, Thomas	26	—	—
* Cochran, Maria	—	26	—
Collins, Jas. and Ann	30	30	4
Cormack, John	21	—	—
Crouther, Thos.	31	—	4
Crouther, Judith	—	30	—
*Cruikshank, Marg.	30	—	1
Cutting, H. House	25	—	1
Cutting, Hannah	—	23	—
Day, William	20	—	—
Dingle, James	22	—	—
Downie, Jane	19	—	—
*Dyer, Rob and Eliza	—	32	—
Eglington, Benza	32	—	4
Eglington, Eliza	—	32	—
Fairbrass, Thos.	21	—	1
Fairbrass, Ann	—	21	—
Fairbrass, Mary	20	—	—
Fellingham, Geo.	23	—	1
Fellingham, Rebecca	—	25	—
*Fisher, Jas. and Harriet	39	38	4
Floyd, Thos. and Caroline	23	20	1
Forbes, Rob and Mary	35	30	6
Goodwin, Hen. and Eliz.	49	43	4
Goodwin, Elizabeth 18, Jas.	21	—	—
*Grant, Jas. and Janet	28	26	1
Greenwood, William	33	—	3
Greenwood, Martha	—	32	—
Hair, Wm. and Margt.	40	28	3
Hammersdorff	26	—	—
Harris, Eleanor	21	—	—
Harris, Samuel	24	—	—
Heese, A. A. (Albert)	27	—	—
Heese, Pauline	—	23	—
Hickman, J. and Eliza	25	27	1
Hodge, John	26	—	—
Hood, Augustus	20	—	—
Jackson, J. and Martha	22	24	—
Jones, Thos. and Mary	38	37	2
Keiller, Jas. and Mary	31	21	2
Kerney, John and Ellen	30	28	2
Kilgour, Alexander	45	—	4
Kilgour, Margaret	—	35	—
Kilgour, Infant, died 1/10/'40	—	—	—
Kilgour, John	18	—	—
Lakeman, William	29	—	—
Lakeman, Martha	—	29	—
Leathart, Chas.	34	—	—
Leathart, Claudia	—	33	—
Lockett, Jonas and wife	23	23	1
Lockett, Infant, died off Gravesend, 12/9/'40	—	—	—
Lockett, Eliza	17	—	—
Marshall, Henry	25	—	—
McIntosh, Isabella	20	—	—
Medwin, William	37	—	—
*Menzies, John and Grace	28	26	—
Merrix, H. and Martha	26	29	—
Miller, Jas. and Ann	43	44	5
Minzies, Alex.	41	—	—
Mortimer, Jas. Andrew	20	—	—
Mortimer, Caroline	18	—	—
Nathan, Heny. and Jane	26	25	1
Neil, Caroline	19	—	—
Norton, Chas. James	27	—	3
Norton, Ann	—	24	—
Osborne, Mary	21	—	—
Palmer, Richd. and Eliza	27	27	—
Parker, Thomas	21	—	—
Pote, Wm. and Betsy	27	27	—
*Ramsbottom, Thos	31	—	1
* Ramsbottom, Ann	—	32	—
Richards, Jos. Manuel	27	—	2
Richards, Ann	—	27	—
*Riley, John and Cath	29	37	3
*Roche, Thos. and Eliza	27	27	1
Roots, John and Mary	40	36	1
Schmidt, J. (widower)	58	—	—
Schmidt, Sarah, 24; Mary	22	—	—
Schmidt, Martha	20	—	—
*Seear, Wm. J. and Mary	25	25	1
Sharpe, Mary	21	—	—
Sharpe, Harriet	16	—	—
Squib, Chas. Henry	39	—	3
Squib, Elizabeth	—	37	—
Squib, Elizabeth Harriet	19	—	—
Squib, Ann Sophia	15	—	—
Squib, Margaret	14	—	—
Stevens, Jas. and Mary	25	26	—
Stewart, John	25	—	—
Susans, Thomas	48	—	5
Susans, Elizabeth	—	40	—
*Sutton, Wm. and Ann	37	30	—
Teague, Samuel	25	—	—
Turner, Robert	21	—	1
Turner, Agnes	—	24	—
Vincent, Wm. Ed.	17	—	—
Walker, George	23	—	—
Walters, John	29	—	3
Walters, Marion	—	24	2
Warburton, Thomas	21	—	—
	“Not here,” recorded against name.
Westwood, James	20	—
Wheeler, Robert	34	—	1
Wheeler, Sarah	—	23	—
Wight, David and Mary	24	27	3
*Willmore, Thos.	39	—	4
* Willmore, Susannah	—	26	—
*Willmore, Thos. (Junr.)	16	—	—

Adolph Hammersdorf was put ashore at Deal, off Beachy Head, on the 17th September, as his thigh bone was fractured on the 16th.

James Cooper and James Weanell were taken on board at Blackwell at Mr. Alton's request.

Letter to J. Pirie and Co.:—

“I am happy to inform you of the safe arrival here on the 25th inst., of the “Slains Castle”—all well—having only lost four infants under twelve months old and having five births.”

(Signed)

Capt. Petrie

,
“Slains Castle,”
Port Nicholson, 29/1/'41.

An estimate of the native character is given by Mr. William Hay, who writes thus from Port Nicholson, February 11th, 1841:—

…“I have got one quarter of an acre of ground, for which I pay £7.… The natives throw European people into the shade, both for honour, honesty and religion. Every morning, as duly as the sun rises, they assemble at their chapel, and we are generally awakened with the sound of hymn singing, and on Sabbath they attend the Missionary chapel from morning till night.…”

Lieut.-Governor Hobson.

On Monday, 15th February, 1841, an important meeting took place at Barrett's Hotel. Mr. Geo. Butler Earp was voted to the chair. After his address, explanatory of the objects of the meeting, Captain Edward Daniell proposed:—

“That Lieut.-Governor Hobson has systematically neglected his duty to Her Majesty's subjects settled at Port Nicholson.

“That His Excellency's recent attempt to deprive this settlement of its skilled labour by inducing mechanics and artificers to leave it and enter into the employment of the Government at Auckland, is calculated to inflict serious injury upon the settlement.

“That the annexed petition to the Queen be forwarded to England, and presented to Her Majesty, stating the above-mentioned grievances, and praying Her Majesty for protection and the recall of the Lieutenant-Governor.”

These motions were seconded by Mr. James Coutts Crawford.

Mr. Hanson appeared at the head of a more moderate party, and read an address in the form of a petition to both Houses of Parliament, praying for redress. Amongst such an assemblage, there could be but little doubt of the result, and the original motion was finally carried with acclamation.^*

The causes which led to the meeting are briefly summarised as follows:—

The removal of the army of thirty soldiers. The alleged crimping methods to induce newly arrived emigrants to proceed to Auckland for work. The issue of an official notice warning persons not to settle or occupy land at Taranaki or Whanganui under land orders from the N.Z. Company, as such had not been conveyed by the Crown; and other matters relating to Auckland and the Bay of Islands. The petition, with numerous signatures attached to it. was forwarded to Valparaiso by the “Cuba” on the second of March.

At the end of February the “Chelydra” sailed for Auckland with the troops and the crimped mechanics, who were allowed a free passage among other inducements. Mr. Dudley Sinclair, attracted by the prospect of speculation in town lots at the proposed capital, also left Wellington in this ship.

Formation of a Cricket Club.

Cricket enthusiasts now got into action, for the “N.Z. Gazette and Wellington Spectator” announced the formation of a cricket club in their issue of the 20th February, 1841. Games were played at Thorndon Flat.

Arrival of the “Blenheim.”

The “Blenheim,” commanded by Captain Moses Campbell, left London on the 25th August, 1840, and arrived at Port Nicholson February, 1841, with 18 married couples, 87 single persons and 39 children under fourteen. Dr Neill page 79 Campbell was the surgeon superintendent, and Robert Watt, Surveyor of Shipping to the N.Z. Company, signed the certificate on the 25th August.

A Distinguished Lady Visitor.

The H.M.S. “Favourite” again entered the harbour on the 3rd March, 1841, having on board as passengers, Lady Franklin, the wife of the Governor of Van Dieman's Land, and her suite. Lady Franklin was completing her tour of the Australasian Colonies by a visit to the different settlements in New Zealand. She resided, during her short stay here, in the house of Colonel Wakefield (old site of the Vice-Regal residence), which page 80 was by this time fitted up with some degree of comfort. She also made a trip to see the farms on the Hutt.

Before her departure, a congratulatory address was presented to her Ladyship by a deputation from the settlers, with allusions to her literary and scientific acquirements, and to the friendly feeling displayed towards the settlers by Sir John.

The sloop made the passage from Hobart Town to Port Nicholson in ten days.

Arrival of “The Lady Nugent.”

The “Lady Nugent,” 600 tons, commanded by Captain Martin, sailed from Gravesend October, 1840, and arrived in March, 1841, with 41 married couples, 29 single men, 16 single women, 49 children under fourteen, 5 under seven. 6 births and 21 deaths occurred on board.

The Passenger List is as follows:—

• Deaths recorded on the New Zealand copy of the Register:—

• Two children of Mr. and Mrs. Bevan.

• One child of Mr. and Mrs. Bolton.

• One child of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman.

• One child of Mr. and Mrs. Brungar.

• Jane Campbell died of Typhus fever on Christmas Eve.

• Maria Cockram died of Typhus fever, 25th November.

• Eliza Collier died of Marasmus, 9th December.

• Mary Gray died 14th January, 1841.

• One child of Mr. and Mrs. Keiller.

• One child of Mr. and Mrs. D. McHardie.

• One child of Mr. and Mrs. Alex McHardie.

• John Prince, 12th December, 1840.

Amongst the passengers was Mr. Edmund Storr Halswell, who had been appointed by the Company's Commissioner to the management of the Native Reserves and Protector of Aborigines.

The Exchange.

A wooden building of some pretensions in point of architecture was erected at Te Aro in 1841, and used as an Exchange and Library, and new stores, houses and fences were springing up in every direction. The clinking of the hammers and the sudden apparition of new habitations still went on day after day with unceasing activity.

The steam mill company erected their mill upon an acre of Mr. Riddiford's, adjoining the acre upon which the store of Messrs. Rhodes and Co. and the Gazette office stood. Captain Rhodes erected a wharf in front of his store in the rear of Manners Street (about Cuba St.). This was the first wharf built in Wellington, was substantial and had four feet at low and nine feet at high water. The public used it free of expense.

Messrs. Waitt and Tinline, in conjunction with Messrs. Partridge and Co., ran a jetty out from their stores in Old Customhouse Street. Another wharf was to be erected in front of Barrett's Hotel at the expense of several enterprising residents of Thorndon Flat.

Protection from the Police.

On Monday, 21st March. 1841, a public meeting was held at Barrett's Hotel, in order to take steps necessary to protect the public from the outrages of the Police establishment. Mr. Earp was in the chair, and Messrs. Wade, Waitt, G. F. Moore and Rhodes spoke at the meeting.

Complaints had been made of the use of pistols and handcuffs, and ruffianly dragging to the lock-up, on unfounded charges, by the police constables.

About this time four gentlemen were appointed Magistrates of the Territory. These were Colonel Wakefield, Mr. Geo. Hunter, Mr. Henry St. Hill and Captain Edward Daniell. The three gentlemen who had composed the deputation to Sir George Gipps had been placed in the commission of the peace some time before. The aggrieved parties had determined on requesting Dr. Evans and Mr. Hanson (Mr. Moreing being absent) to take their places on the Bench of Magistrates. Dr. Evans had acceded to the request, notwithstanding the petulant display of temper made by Mr. Murphy on the occasion of his first acting page 82 upon this resolution. The hitherto unrestrained potentate declared, in the Police Court, that he would not sit on the Bench while Dr. Evans did, except in cases which, by law, required the presence of two magistrates.

In connection with this affair a report appeared in the “New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator” of the 3rd May, 1841:—

“Dr. Evans took his seat in the bench on Wednesday last, when the following conversation, we understand, took place between the learned doctor and Mr. Murphy.

“‘Is it your intention to sit here in your Magisterial capacity?’

“Dr. Evans: ‘Such is my intention.’

“Mr. Murphy: ‘Then, sir, in consequence of the proceedings of a public meeting and a letter used in the paper last week, I shall be compelled to leave my seat.’

“Dr. Evans: ‘You can do as you please, sir. It is my intention to sit here for the purpose of administering to the best of my ability, justice to the people.’

“Mr. Murphy then made the remarks quoted above.”

The Institute.

The public were now informed that temporary rooms of the Institute were at the store of Mr. Rob. Waitt, where the latest English, Australian and American newspapers and magazines would be found. The subscription was £2 2s. per annum. Mr. G. B. Earp's name was appended to the announcement.

Also at this time a public dinner, to mark the welcome accorded the separation of the Colony from New South Wales, was held at Barrett's Hotel on the 9th April, 1841.

Colonel Wakefield presided. Amongst those present were Messrs. R. Hanson, Geo. Hunter, Rev. Davy, Dr. Evans, Mr. J. P. W. Guyton, Rev. John Macfarlane, Messrs. McDonald. Jas. Smith (Union Bank), Captain Mein-Smith, Messrs. H. St. Hill, G. Duppa, W. Johnston, Major Baker, Major Durie, W. V. Brewer, R. R. Strang, A. de B. Brandon, S. Revans, W. B. Rhodes, Santry, Sinclair, R. Waitt. Ludlam, J. Smyth, Tyser, Hillier, McHattie, Wallace, Brown, and others.

Two days later (the 21st of April, 1841) a very severe gale from the northwest was experienced. No damage occurred to the vessels in the excellent harbour. But the schooner “Jewess,” on her way to Whanganui, full of settlers and goods, was driven away from her anchorage at Kapiti, and totally wrecked on the beach near Pari Pari, after being cast on her beam ends in the attempt to make an offing. Two lives were lost. George Wade, of the two brothers who had been among the earliest to bring cattle and horses from Hobart-Town, and whose energy and perseverance had contributed much to the progress of the settlement in its younger days, was one of those lost. The other was the native chief “Wide-awake!”

Wheat Grown at the Hutt.

Mr. H. S. Chapman, Farrans Building, Temple, London, was the recipient of numerous letters from the Colonists. Some of the correspondence was circulated in London and elsewhere by the medium of his excellent periodical, the “New Zealand Journal.” Mr. T. Partridge writes to him thus:—“Port Nicholson, 30/4/41. I send you herewith a fair sample of wheat grown at the Hutt. When you have looked at it, pray send it to Miss Partridge, Beaconsfield Bucks, to be given to old John Rolfe page 83 the farmer. He was Burke's steward and I promised to send him word what New Zealand would produce. Revans will tell you that he hopes to have found coal on his section near the town. I believe there is slate too. Your Journal is looked for here with great interest by everybody and I believe is felt to be of the greatest service to New Zealand generally. I trust you will believe that we have in our community a class of person who can appreciate the subjects. Our Colony is a very happy one. There is a good deal of kindness and active sympathy with misfortune, though little has existed.”

Municipal Corporation.

The inhabitants of Wellington, anxious to secure the advantages of a Municipal Corporation, as proposed to be granted them by Sir George Gipps, determined to meet and consult upon the course to be pursued, and upon the details of a measure, such as they could approve, and which they might after mature deliberation submit to Governor Hobson as the basis of such an arrangement. The working men claimed and obtained, the right in the deliberations. The formation of a committee occupied a considerable space of time, but the observer could not fail to be struck by the fixed determination of the Colonists of all ranks to obtain the power of managing their own local affairs.

The New Roads.

The Kaiwharawhara road was completed by the Company's labourers on the 20th March, 1841. Sam Phelps was the first to drive his bullock-dray over it to Pito-one. A bridle-road from Kaiwharawhara to Porirua was also in progress, as well as one from the town into an elevated valley of some extent, called Karori, situated a mile to the south-west.

Horses were now plentiful, and the new roads afforded delightful rides, a curious contrast being presented by the neat macadamised causeway, and the groups of workmen and wheelbarrows, among the primeval forest and wild scenery which they penetrated. At the Hutt, the cultivations and clearings looked cheerful and promising. From sixty to a hundred families were now permanently settled there. Neat cottages and luxuriant gardens appeared along the banks; the rich crop had induced many a doubting settler to clear some land, and the axe-men had begun to be a large and important class.

Cattle driving, too, on the pasture hills afforded exercise and excitement. Wakefield writes: “Owners of cattle brand their herd and let them run loose over the hills, and then drive them at a gallop into

Fig. 31—Pito-one Road, showing Wellington in the distance.

page 84 the stock yard when they are wanted. The cattle get exceedingly wild and fast, so that it requires bold and hard riding in some instances to head them. The stock whip, a very necessary instrument for this work requires some description for English readers. A stout wooden handle a foot in length is attached to a heavy thong of plaited hide, about fifteen feet long, from the handle to the end of the lash. The whip is whirled two or three times round the head, and cracked with a report as loud as a pistol in the face of a stubborn animal. The wildest cattle when charging you will turn from it, if it be used with skill; but an inexperienced hand is very apt to slice his own face or injure his horse severely, without at all alarming the cattle.”

Arrival of the “Lord William Bentinck.”

The periodical stream of arrivals into Port Nicholson brightened the lives of friends, relatives and bystanders on the beach. Anxious eyes were concentrated on the ships as they disgorged their living freight. Tender embraces, fond hand clasps, and eager and endless enquiries assailed the newcomers. The latest ship to arrive was the “Lord William Bentinck, 444 tons, commanded by Capt. Crow, which left Gravesend on the 8th January, 1841, and arrived 24th May, with 39 married couples, 24 single men, 15 single women, 51 children under fourteen, and 52 under seven. Five births and nine deaths occurred on board. The register was signed by Mr. Daniel Riddiford, Emmigration Agent. Five of the crew deserted the ship on its arrival at Port Nicholson. The names of the passengers were as follows:—

^* Did not embark.

Name	Age	Wife's Age	No. of Children
* Adams, Eliza	22	—	—
*Alexander, Don and wife	22	27	3
Anderson, John	30	—	—
Anderson, Mary	—	28	—
Bezeek, George	35	—	—
Bould, Robert,	32	—	3
Bould, Anne	—	27	—
Brown, Chas.	23	—	—
Brown, Daniel	29	—	4
Brown, Amelia	—	27	—
* Bruce, Alexander	35	35	4
*Buroughs, Wm.	39	38	2
Butler, Thos.	30	—	2
Butler, Elizabeth	—	27	—
Caines, Wm.	27	—	3
Caines, Mary	—	26	—
Clifton, Richard	39	—	6
Clifton, Margaret	—	32	—
Clout, John,	27	—	4
Clout, Mary	—	29	—
*Cooper, Samuel	40	35	4
Cornford, Joseph	42	—	1
Cornford, Mary	—	36	—
Cornford, Car., 19; Thos., 15; *E.	17	—	—
*Cottle, Chas.	30	36	2
Christie, Wm.	37	27	2
Craighead, Wm.	29	—	—
Craighead, Susan Miller	—	28	—
Crosbie, Thos.	29	—	2
Crosbie, Isabella	—	—	—
Cumming, David	24	—	—
Dew, William	34	—	7
Dew, Anne	—38	—
Dew, Anne	15	—	—
Dimond, John	39	—	5
Dimond, Judith	—	37	—
Farmer, Alexander	53	—	2
Farmer, Euphemia	—	45	—
Farmer, Eliz., 18; Geo.	15	—	—
Farmer, Alexander (Jun.)	22	—	1
Farmer, Elizabeth	—	23	—
Farrow, Sam	27	—	1
Farrow, Harriett	—	28	—
Fisher, James	39	—	4
Fisher, Harriett	—	38	—
Forrester, Wm.	27	—	—
Forrester, Elizabeth	—	24	—
Francis, John	35	—	—
Francis, Frances	—	36	—
Francis, Jas. Swan, 18; Mary	15	—	—
Francis, Stephen Swan	21	—	—
Franklyn, Edmund	28	—	1
Franklyn, Eliza	—	24	—
Gengoe, George	19	—	—
*Green, Henry	40	38	—
*Green, J., 17; F., 15; S., 29; and L.	17	—	—
Greenacre, Wm.	39	—	—
Greenacre, Sarah	—	28	—
* Grimaldi, Henry	26	21	—
*Heffer, Worthington	28	27	3
Hopton, Robert	32	—	5
Hopton, Charlotte	—	29	—
*Hornsley, Wm.	28	26	4page 85
Howell, John	37	—	5
Howell, Ann	—	29	—
Hubbard, Wm.	36	—	—
Malcolm, Jane, 19; Isab.	21	—	—
Maxted, Geo.	34	—	5
Maxted, Elizabeth	—	30	—
McHardie, Alex.	33	—	—
* Melvin, Robert	49	48	3
Membury, Wm.	35	—	6
Membury, Eliza	—	35	—
Membury, Wm. June, 16; Mary	14	—	—
Neighbours, —	21	—	—
Nelson, Wm. Lunn	35	34	5
Nelson, Benjamin	14	—	—
Parnacott, Joseph	39	40	3
Parnacott, Jos. (Jun.) 18; Emma	15	—	—
Philips, John	36	—	—
Philips, Catherine	—	38	—
Philips, Henry	14	—	—
Philips, Wm.	24	—	—
Piper, Thos.	27	—	1
Piper, Mary Anne	—	24	—
Potter, John	25	—	—
*Rider, Johnathan	24	26	2
*Robertson, Alex.	23	20	—
Roussell, John	26	—	—
Roussell, Edward	25	—	—
Rutter, Samuel	37	—	2
Rutter, Jane	—	27	—
* Sainsbury, Anne	24	—	—
*Salmon, Fred	20	—	—
Smith, Wm.	22	—	—
Souter, Chas.	44	—	3
Souter, Elizabeth	—	33	3
Souter, B., 21; A., 17; John	16	—	—
Speedy, William	29	—	2
Speedy, Anne	—	28	—
Speedy, David	36	—	6
Speedy, Helen	—	35	—
Speedy, Elizabeth	14	—	—
Starkes, John	27	—	3
Starkes, Lucy	—	24	—
Stent, —	20	—	—
* Stewart, Richard	38	37	5
*Stewart, Lewis, 17; Chas.	14	—	—
* Sutherland, Andrew	27	—	—
Swan, Francis	18	—	—
Tandy, Wm.	36	—	2
Tandy, Mary	—	29	—
Teans, Jas.	27	—	—
Teans, Letitia	—	28	—
Telford, Wm.	24	—	—
Thomas, John	24	27	2
Van, James	25	—	—
Voce, Samuel	28	—	—
Wall, Anthony,	34	—	5
Wall, Susanna	—	30	—
*Wears, John	—	—	—
White, Charles	28	—	4
White, Harriett	—	26	—
White, Joseph	31	—	3
White, Mary	—	32	—
Whitehouse, John	39	—	4
Whitehouse, Charlotte	—	34	—
* Wildman, Joseph	35	34	3
Wilkie, James	23	23	2
Wilmshurst, John	17	—	—
Wilmshurst, Harriett	17	—	—
* Wilson, George	25	—	—
Wright, David	28	—	3
Wright, Harriett	—	27	—

(Signed)

Daniel Riddiford

,
Sat., 24th May, 1841.

The following died on board:—

• George Membury, 18 months, 7th January.

• T. J. Francis, 6 months, 31st January.

• George Bould, 7 months, 3rd February.

• Izobella Crosby, 28 years, 8th February.

• Miriam Fisher, 2 years, 16th February.

• Rayner Clifton, 18 months, 18th February.

• Sarah Franklin, 3 years, 25th February.

• Janet Crosby (infant of Izobella), 6 months, 4th March.

• Jane White, 6 months, 17th May.

At this time (1841), the spiritual wants of the community were supplied by the Rev. John Macfarlane, of the Scots church, who performed divine service at the native chapel, Te Aro Flat, at eleven o'clock in the morning, and at a quarter past one at the Court House, Thorndon Flat, every Sunday.

It was also notified that the Rev. R. Davy, of Kumutoto, was prepared to supply to those desirous of obtaining them, Bibles, Testaments and Common Prayer Books.

The First Herd of Cattle.

About the middle of May, Mr. William Gordon Bell, a Scotch farmer, drove the first herd of cattle to Whanganui. He arrived with Mr. Jas. Watt, who was the first to attempt agriculture at the Port.

“Long before the town was distributed,” writes Wakefield, “Mr. Bell farmed a piece of land between the harbour and the sea for Mr. Watt; and had been the first to use the plough in Cook Strait. The land in question was of a poor clayey nature, and in a spot swept by both the prevailing winds, so that the crop of wheat, though good in page 86 quality, was scanty. He owned two or three sections in the second series, including the seventh choice; and having completed his engagement with Mr. Watt, he determined to start for Whanganui with his family (wife, two sons and two daughters); a cow, and six fine oxen. The bridle-road to Porirua was but partly finished, and the crossing of the various rivers seemed to offer some difficulty; but the old man had walked over the whole route to satisfy himself. His departure was a fine sight. The cow and the six bullocks yoked in a team, with packs on their backs. They were attended by old Bill and his two sons.

In coming from Watt's farm to the beginning of the Porirua road, he had to pass through the whole town; and all the spectators flocked to shake his iron fist, and wish him every success. He was furnished by Jerningham Wakefield with letters to various chiefs along the road, requiring their help at the rivers, and their friendly assistance along the road. His plough, drays, bags of seed, etc., were put on board the “Sandfly” and another schooner, in which the women of his family also proceeded.

Mr. Bell arrived in safety with his cattle after some difficulty in crossing the quick-sands of the Turakina and Whangaehu. His proceedings afterwards are recounted in Mr. Downes' “Old Whanganui.”

Arrival of the “Olympus.”

The “Olympus,” 500 tons, commanded by Capt. John Whyte, sailed from Gravesend in December, 1840, and arrived in May, 1841, with 27 married couples, 16 single men, 11 single women, 15 children under fourteen and 26 under seven; five births and four deaths occurred on board. Dr. Featherston was surgeon superintendent. The passenger list was as follows:

^* Did not embark.

Name	Age	Wife's Age	No. of Children
*Aitken, Mrs. and two others	—	—	—
Barras, James	21	—	—
Barker, Jas. and Mary (Ag. 10yrs., Eliz. 3yrs. Sar. 1yr.)	33	29	3
Barns, or Barus, Jas.	21	—	—
Birmingham, John	25	—	—
Bluett, Thos. and Mary (Thos. 3yrs., M. Ann 11 months)	21	25	2
Bryson, Thos. and Cath.	26	21	—
Burrows, — (farmer)	20	—	—
Burton, Jas. and Elizab.	40	29	—
Burton, Amy	26	—	—
Burton, Elizabeth	24	—	—
Burton, Emily	17	—	—
Burton, Jas.	15	—	—
Burton, William and Mary (Eliza, 5 months)	23	30	1
Connacher, Don	30	—	1
Connacher, Margaret	—	25	—
Corley, Isaac	23	—	—
Couttie, Dave and Janet (Alex. 9yr., Geo. 12yr., Jas. 2yr.)	26	25	3
*Cox, Wm. and Esther	23	25	—
Doughty, — (farmer)	25	—	—
Featherston, Dr. and Lady	27	24	—
Fox, Ed. Thos. and Harriet	35	27	—
Giles, John	27	—	—
Gowan, — (merchant	23	—	—
Graham, Agnes (Jas. 13, Nancy 9, Marg. 4, Mary 4, Betty 18 months.)	36	—	5
Hall (2), Gent, 26 and	30	—	—
Heggie, Thos. and Mary	22	20	—
Honeyman, Thos. and Mary	25	28	—
Jennings, —	—	—	—
Jones (farmer)	25	—	—
Kilgour, John and Margaret (William, 4yrs.)	36	38	1
Langley, Peter	23	—	—
Leslie, Mary	17	—	—
Lyall, Rob and Agnes	36	36	—
Mabey, Job and Rachael (Sarah 4, Mary A. 2.)	28	28	2
Mason (agricultrist) and Lady	22	22	—
McKain, Douglas and Mary (Isaac, 11yrs.)	49	—	1
McNaughton, Mary	29	—	1
Miller, Wm.	26	—	—
*Moore, A. and Mary	30	28	1page 87
Neale, Wm. and Sarah	37	38	—
Piper, — (farmer)	25	—	—
Pollock, Robert	29	—	—
Pope, Henry and Eliza (Jane 5, Wm. 3, Geo. 6 months.)	27	28	3
Roberts, — (farmer)	25	—	—
*Rowsell, J. and Sarah	26	25	2
Saxby, Wm. and Mary (M. 9, Jas. 4, and infant 4 months.)	43	32	3
Saxby, Ben	19	—	—
Scott, Thos. and Mary	24	20	1
Shepherd, Wm. and Margaret (Jas. 3yrs., Jane 16mo.)	35	23	2
Sime, Jas. and Janet (Jas. 3, Dav. 3, Mary 5, J. 4 months.)	26	27	4
*Slarke, Jno. and Mary	27	24	2
Tolhurst, Sam and Sarah (Sa. 8, Ann 5, M. 3, E. 2.)	34	27	4
Underdown, Wm.	20	—	—
Vennell, Sam	27	—	—
Vennell, Pamela	—	28	—
*West, Jas. and Patience	26	24	2
Wilkie, Geo. and Ann (G. 10, Jno. 7, P. 3, and C. 12.)	36	36	4
Wilkinson, D. and Eliza (Christina 14 months.)	28	24	1
Williamson, Thos. and Eliza (Chas. 16, Eliza 7.)	28	24	1
Wood, Jas. and Hannah	35	31	1
Wood, Martha	11	—	—
*Wood, Robert	18	—	—
Births
Mrs. G. Hegge, 26th Jan.			Son
Mrs. C. Mabey, 17th March			Son
Mrs. D. Couttie, 23rd March			Daughter
Mrs. J. Barker, 2nd April			Son
Mrs. G. Wilkie, 4th April			Son
Deaths.
Henry Pope, 6 mths., 21st Dec.
Jane Pope, 5 yrs., 23rd Dec.
Joh Scott, 13 months, 7th Jan., 1841.
Sarah Mabel, 3 yrs., 9th Feb. 1841.

(Signed) Dr. Featherston

,
Surgeon Supnt. “Olympus.”
Gravesend, 5th Dec., 1840.
Certified at Customs House, London,
Dec., 1840; (Sgd.)

G. Rupert Cole

.

The “Sandfly,” a schooner of 16 tons, was launched from a yard on the Hutt river in 1841. She was the largest ship built there and was named by Mrs. Collett. The boat was the property of Messrs. Molesworth and Hart.

Other persons arriving to swell the ranks of the inhabitants of the Port were: Dr. Matthews (“Sir John Falstaff”); Messrs. Burleigh and Spencer (“Surprise”); Mr. Archer (“Ullswater”); Messrs. Halswell, Mathew and Clarke, in the Government brig (“Victoria”); Capt. Liardet (“Whitby”). Messrs. J. King, J. Wallace, G. Goodall, J. Webster, E. Brown, W. Halse, H. Halse, J. G. Cooke, L. H. Davy, E. C. Merchant, E. Marshall, St. George, and W. Shaw, arrived by the “Amelia Thompson.”

Fig. 32—Thorndon from Golder's Hill, off Hill Street. This view is taken from Dr. Evan's garden, on Golder's Hill (now Dr. Morice's) off Hill Street. Dr. Evan's house is in the foreground on the left. The first house below the hill was occupied by Mr. Mocatta. The group of buildings beyond were the N.Z. Coy's offices and Messrs. Clifford & Vavasour's residences. The flagstaff marks the locality of Colonel Wakefield's house and the church behind it. Mr. Chetham Strode's house is seen in the foreground to the right.

Fig. 33—The Beach, Thorndon, near Major Richard Baker's residence.

Fig. 34—The Barracks, Thorndon.