9. A Holiday in Otago
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9
A Holiday in Otago
1st September - 20th October 1850
TORLESSE receives an unexpected letter from his cousin, Jerningham Wakefield, as the result of which a sudden change of plan is made and, 'exhausted by three months of inactivity', he books a passage to Otago in the Torrington, intending to walk back to Lyttelton. Godley remains in Wellington and Thomas is doing what he can at Lyttelton with a skeleton staff and no funds. Meanwhile the Poictiers has arrived with more cheerful news of the Association's affairs in England where plans for the despatch of the first emigrant ships are well advanced.
1st September. Sunday. SW. Cloudy. Boys and I packing for move to the plains--settling accounts up to this date. Mitchell and Woodhouse started.
2nd. NE. Very fine. Boys and I packing up traps for the plain. Engaged a passage to Otago by the Torrington to meet E. J. W. and walk up by coast to Canterbury. Made an agreement with Harper 1 that he should work our boat.
3rd. NE. Very fine. The boat went round to the Shakespeare 2 with our traps. On board the Torrington at 4 p.m.; beating out with light NE.
4th. Light SE. Very fine. NW. evening. In the morning 10 miles North of the North East end of the Peninsula, nearly calm. In the evening a fresh steady NW. or W. wind set in.
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SEPTEMBER 1850
We ran down to what was supposed to be Akaroa Heads (E. point of Peninsula) and then shortened sail and stood off and on till daylight.
5th. NW. Very fine. Stood down to the heads of Akaroa till 9 a.m. and then beat up the harbour: anchored at 3 p.m. To Mr Watson's and Carrington's 3 in the evening. Stayed at Bruce's Hotel.
6th. NW. Very fine. Dined at Carrington's.
7th. SW. Fine, cloudy. In the evening to Mr Watson's.
8th. Sunday. Calm. Very fine. NE. Went to Smith's 4 (formerly Robinson's and Watson's) and then to German Bay, 5 and Liebaux's 6 vineyard. In evening to Haylock's. 7
9th. Calm. NW. Very fine. Weighed anchor at 5 p.m., and sailed well out of Akaroa before dark. Mr & Mrs Carrington took a passage with us in order to get to Wellington on their way to New Plymouth.
10th. NE. Very fine. Course South by West, 4 knots, stun-sails. Peacock disgusting his passengers by boiling out stinking porpoise oil.
11th. E. Fine. Light Easterly wind. Stunsails.
12th. Light SW. Foggy. NE. evening. Light South Westerly breeze--miserable day. Evening cleared. Stunsails.
13th. NE. Fine. North Wester at the hills West of Canterbury. Caught 5 porpoises. At night a gale set in from the SW. I slept in a hammock in the hold, having turned out to make room for Peacock who gave up his cabin to Mrs Carrington.
14th. Strong SW. and S. Fine. Heavy breeze and sea. Twice reefed topsails. Breeze moderated in the evening.
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15th. Sunday. Light NE. Very fine. Fresh sea breeze. Stun-sails. 6 knots. We had kept too far out to sea to avoid the reef off Moeraki which was a bugbear to the Peacocks, and actually were to the Southward of Otago Heads when we made the land. Then steered for Cape Campbell instead of the Heads. However, entered harbour at 3 p.m. No pilot came off, and we anchored at Port Chalmers at 4 1/2 p.m.
I was going ashore, but met E. J. W. and went on board the Poictiers and then on board Torrington to sleep.
16th. NE. Very fine. Went with E. J. W. in a large sealing boat (from Stewarts Island--Kelly 8) to Dunedin. Stayed at the Royal Hotel--Henry. Capt. Beal of Poictiers and Miss Borton came up in ship's boat. E. J. W. and I called at Captain Cargill's, 9 then rode round the hills about Dunedin.
At sea between Port Victoria & Otago.
10th September 1850.
My dear Mother,
Your long expected dispatch arrived at Lyttelton on the 30th July--including the letters by the Poictiers and Spectator newspapers and 2 letters by Sydney of 30th January and 27th February respectively--also a piece of Emily's wedding cake and news of the marriage...
The news about Canterbury also cheered me considerably, especially as there appears to be a probability of good settlers arriving here, and, more than all that, you are drawing gradually nearer to joining them. As to the immediate good result of this news there is not much to say; for until the sufficient quantity of land has been sold, and money sent out, not a stroke of work can be done. Indeed Mr Godley intends remaining in Wellington till the purse arrives.
Curiously enough on the day after the above-mentioned arrived (i. e. the Poictiers mail) by the Torrington, the Mariner called at Port Victoria and landed her mail: she only remained for a couple of hours and I had no opportunity of writing by her--nor indeed was there a mail made up. I was glad to find a confirmation of the good reports by the Poictiers, but consider it strange and rather suspicious that no sort of
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SEPTEMBER 1850
estimate had been made by the end of March of the amount of land sold--also that Henry Chapman, 10 who is in the secrets, should have postponed sending me instructions for providing shelter &c. However, we have not lost faith yet.
Mr Mackworth, a son of Sir Digby Mackworth, was the only passenger for Canterbury that arrived in the Mariner, and he went on to Wellington as he wished to spend the time between now and choosing his land by paying a visit to the Auckland Isles as I believe he has some share in Enderby's enterprize, and a couzin of his is Sub-Lieutenant Governor there. Mr Mackworth introduced himself to me on the ground of my being an acquaintance and schoolfellow of his cousin at Blackheath, and whom you may remember our meeting at Wiesbaden, and gave me some matters to manage for him until his return.
16th. I now write from Otago, the former part of this having been scrawled while on my passage here in the Torrington.
I am quite exhausted by three months of inactivity, and have come here to walk back to Canterbury with Edward Jerningham [Wakefield] who wrote me by the above mentioned mail to meet him at the Waitangi. But as the time of his arrival there was uncertain I thought it better to take the opportunity of seeing the country about Otago while I was about it. We arrived yesterday. Edward seemed very glad to see me, and is particularly attentive, and I promise myself much pleasure on an excursion we purpose making to the Molyneux district, and afterwards North. I showed him your Sydney letter of 27th Feby. and journal by the Mariner with which he was much pleased and informed, as his own letters are now lying at Canterbury.
I have just received a letter from Edward Ward--my greatest school ally at Stanmore--who is a barrister and intending Canterbury Settler. He wrote to me for advice and to ask me to select his land. I have answered him by this mail and referred him to you for any information he may require. By his note I should judge him to be as I remember him of old, a very superior person and I trust he may turn out a good friend.
I feel a sort of difficulty in writing now, as there appears some chance of my letters crossing you on the road: but can safely say that if you all make up your minds to join heartily in the work, and determine to become bona fide colonists
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(my father having a safe appointment) I shall be glad enough to see you arrive. 11 Above all things let my sisters fortify themselves against any inclination to gossip and scandal (the root of mischief in young settlements) and take as their motto for the voyage, 'Keep yourself to yourself.'
However, even if you should not all come out immediately--if you see the affair going on as is contemplated--have no hesitation in sending Henry out to me rather than put him into any clerkship or inferior position in England. I can feel my way in this country, and am confident of being able to manage for him also.
Pray send out my saddle and bridle (if there is one) which I remember are only riding on a wooden peg in the stable.
Edward Jerningham sends his best love, and says that he writes to none of his relations in England as he expects they would all have started for N. Z. before his letters could reach...
You can understand how I am situated here now--going to see everybody with Edward. We are to dine at Mr Valpy's in a day or two. So that you will excuse a hurried letter: and I am finishing this off for the Poictiers which sails to-morrow for Sydney direct...
Your ever devoted son,
CHARLES O. TORLESSE
17th. NE. Fine, cloudy. E. J. W., Strode 12 and I to the Borton's 13 --riding. I carried up a Canterbury cheese--35 lbs.
18th. NE. Fine. E. J. W. to Port Chalmers to see the Poictiers off. I read file of Otago News and Power's N. Z. Sent off letters to C. G. T., Ward, Ch B., and Brunner.
19th. NE. Fine. I went to the Company's office and commenced a tracing from the Sketch map of Canty. Association.
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Read Power's N. Z. 14 and Otago News. Conversation with Aiken about Nelson.
20th. NW. Very fine. Letters to Mrs D. Wakefield, John Peacock, Songar, Stafford, Spital and Boys to go by Torrington. Long conversation with Mr Stephen. 15 E. J. W. returned late from the Port and we rode out to dine at Mr Valpy's 16 -- dinner 4, we arrived 5, after a great race. Music, harp, &c. Two Mr Napiers 17 came to tea.
Otago.
20th September 1850.
My dear Stafford,
I very much regret not having followed your recommendation and passed the winter at Nelson, but I always expected that there might be instructions to Thomas to resume operations before this time and I did not like being absent from my post.
I tell you privately that when we were discharged I offered Captain Thomas to go to work during the winter on the understanding that I should not have any claim against the Association unless they resumed operations, an arrangement which he entered into warmly and offered Boys and me a house to live in. Jollie at that time intended going away temporarily, but as soon as he knew of this scheme the 'oracle was worked' in such a way that Thomas never offered us to begin work but put us off by quiet snubbing, and employed Jollie to do the work instead. I mention this to show you that I had another reason for making arrangements to remain at Lyttelton...
You know what a strange person Thomas is; and though Boys and I received a handsome testimonial from him on the occasion of our discharge he has followed up the injury of disappointing us by constant snubbing and insulting conduct.
However, we have restrained ourselves, taken everything quite coolly, and been very careful to give him no cause for offence. I should indeed be nervous about getting further employment under him only that I see my appointment is confirmed at home, and it appears that with Mr Godley rest
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the discharge and appointment of the Association's servants.
I do not know how Boys may fare, and trust you will speak favourably (if you have reason) of him to Godley should an opportunity occur.
I have come down here to walk up to Canterbury with Edward Jerningham. After an excursion to the Molyneux I believe we shall start to the Northward. E. J. tells me that you purpose riding down this summer. Let me recommend your wearing a life belt and then you can take the rivers with confidence...
Yours ever sincerely,
CHARLES O. TORLESSE
21st. Light SW. Rain morning. Fine afternoon. E. J. W. and I to the Borton's, sketching. In the evening Barney O'Toole, broomstick and consequences.
22nd. Sunday. NE. Very fine. To church in the morning--Mr Burns. Free church service depending upon the particular degree of eloquence of the one performer of it. In the afternoon with E. J. W. to the Borton's, and to ridge overlooking Taieri. In the evening to Strode's.
23rd. NE. Cloudy. E. J. W. and I called at Mr Valpy's, and sketched his place from a hill near the sea coast. Strode and Bernays 18 to dinner.
24th. NE. Fine. To Valpy's sawmill, and up ridge from Water of Leith to Race Course with E. J. W. who went on to Borton's and I returned to Dunedin. The Napiers to tea with us.
25th. NE. Cloudy. Napier lent us his horse, and Strode's to E. J. W., and we prepared for starting to the Molyneux tomorrow.
26th. SW. Cloudy. Rain. We rode to Charles Smith's at Green Island Bush as the weather looked unfavourable for our trip.
27th. Light SW. Very fine. Left Dunedin at about 9 a.m. Called on Milne 19 and Williams at the Taieri and ferried across the river by Mr Valpy's man. Reached Valpy's on the Wai-
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hora 20 at about dusk--French, no English, there. Got Noble, half bloodhound and Kangaroo dog, from Milne.
28th. Light SW. Very fine. Left Valpy's at about 8 1/2 a.m. and reached Crystal's 21 at 12. Dined and proceeded at 1 1/2. Swampy creeks at foot of hills, some trouble in hitting the right spur leading to the Molyneux. Arrived at Iwikatea at 5 1/2 p.m., hailed Redpath 22 who had no boat to send us--consequently we bushed it and supped on wild turnips.
29th. Sunday. Calm. Very fine. Turned out at daylight and started down the river for about 3 miles--coo-ed and were heard by Mr Boswell and party, where we breakfasted, and then proceeded to Mr Pillans', 23 where we tethered our horses on the N. side of River and were very hospitably entertained by him. His place [is] called Myre's on the Island or Inch Clutha. Fine Totara Forest with underbush cleared. Dogs well fed. Chimney House.
30th. SW. Very fine. Rain night. Pulled up the Molyneux for some distance; and then walked to Redpath's. White Cranes. Stockyard. Fine Timber. Large Chimney.
1st October. Light SW. Fine. Cloudy. Left Mr Pillan's at 9 a.m. Sketched the Molyneux country from the ranges. Reached Crystal's at 5 1/2 p.m.
2nd. NW. Fine. SW. afternoon. Showery. Rode back South of the Tokomairiro to sketch the plain and then started. Called at Valpy's and got a quarter of mutton. Arrived at the Taieri at 5 p.m. I stayed at Williams', E. J. W. at Milne's.
3rd. SW. Rain, sleet, &c. We pulled in a maori boat to the mouth of the Taieri and then walked along the coast to the Kuri bush. Returned to Milne's about 8 1/2 p.m., pretty wet with constant showers of rain, hail and sleet, but notwithstanding which, enjoyed the scenery on the Taieri, beautifully wooded
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hills and picturesque crags to water's edge--white cranes abundant. Saw Mr Hertslet, old N. Z. man. 24 Both slept at Milne's, also Deway.
4th. SW. Fine. Started from Milne's at 11 1/2 a.m. and reached Dunedin at 5 p.m.
5th. Light S. Very fine. E. J. W., Bernays and I to Anderson's Bay. Called at Tyser's and made a sketch from his grounds.
6th. Sunday. NE. Cloudy. Ill with diarrhoea. E. J. W. to the Wesleyan service at the Court House morning and evening.
7th. NW. Fine. SW. Rain evening. Ditto diarrhoea. Remained indoors. Day of Cargill Picnic party down the river.
8th. SW. Rain night. The 2 Napiers, Strode, Bernays, 2 Bortons to dine with E. J. W. at Royal Hotel. The Barque Santipore arrived with cattle and horses from Twofold Bay.
9th. NE. Fine. E. J. W. and I to dinner at Strode's.
10th. SW. Rain. Heavy squalls of rain and snow. I dined at Captain Cargill's--Mr Tod (J.P.) and Miss Orbell.
11th. SW. Fine. In the evening to Mr Proudfoot's. 25
12th. SW. Rain. Squalls of hail and rain. I went to Port Chalmers and on board the schooner Otago to see about passage to Canterbury. Returned at night, 6 1/2 hours beating up the river to Dunedin.
13th. Sunday. NE. Fine. To the Wesleyan Church. Mr Creed, 26 the Wesleyan Missionary at Waikouaiti, preached.
14th. NW. Fine. I called on Captain Cargill, Mr Valpy and the Bortons.
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15th. SW. Fog and rain. Rode with Captain Robinson of Santipore by Half Way Bush and round to the Model Farm. E. J. W. accompanied me.
I made arrangements for provisions &c., for the passage. 27
16th. NE. Fine. I walked to Port Chalmers and shot 11 pigeons by the road. Went to the auction of the Santipore's cattle, £5. 5s. E. J. W. and Pollard came down by the night tide, and we all slept at Stirling's.
17th. Light NE. Fine. On board the Otago. Arranged berths, slung hammocks, &c. Walked up to a rock and burial ground at Port Chalmers.
18th. Light NW. Fine. SW. evening. E. J. W. and Pollard to Garrick's 28 in the morning. I on board the Santipore to search the Sydney papers for Canterbury news. Got under weigh at 4 p.m. and sailed well out of Otago harbour before dark. Fine run. E. J. W., Pollard and I messed together.
19th. SW. Rain. Thick, foggy weather. Running under a reefed foresail. Made Akaroa heads at 5 p.m. and then made all sail, wind lulled. Anchored at 11 p.m. between Pigeon Bay and Port Levi Heads. Boat off from Little Akaroa.
20th. Sunday. SW. Fine. Beat up Port Victoria. I piloted for Capt. Stevens. On shore at 12 noon. I started to Deans'-- found Boys just returned from Motenau. W. Deans at the hill station.
