10. Spring in the Canterbury Settlement
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10
Spring in the Canterbury Settlement
21st October - 31st December 1850
TORLESSE and Wakefield have returned from Otago by sea. All public works in the Canterbury Settlement remain officially at a standstill, but there is a more hopeful atmosphere. In England the Association's land sales have greatly increased and prospects are bright. The first four ships have sailed from Plymouth on 7th and 8th September, and much publicity has been given to their departure. They are carrying 792 settlers bound for Canterbury. News of their departure has not yet reached the Settlement.
21st October. Light SW. Very fine. Returned to the Port with Boys. I slept in room of Emigration Barracks reserved for E. J. W. I wrote to Parkinson. Gave Smith cheques for £36.
22nd. Light SW. Fine. The Otago sailed for Wellington. I found that I had overdrawn my bank account. Helped E. J. W. to unpack his things and arrange his room. To Cridland's in the evening. Road contracts first entered into our heads.
23rd. Light SW. Very fine. E. J. W. packed up things for the plains, but horses were refused by Alport. Then Boys and I to Riccarton. Met Bill Holland 1 on Bobby and rode him home.
24th. Strong NE. Fine. Boys and I shooting on the Shakespeare--3 brace of ducks. Bill put the breaking tackle to Bobby's mouth.
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25th. NW. Very fine. Boys and I rode 15 miles up the Courtenay to try and find a wild dog; had no success, but killed a large boar. I got thrown on mounting Bobby.
26th. NE. Very fine. I rode Bobby for exercise to Christchurch and then to the foot of the Peninsula Hills.
27th. Sunday. Light NW. Very fine. I rode to the port, tethered Bobby at foot of the hills, N. side. E. J. W. returned with me to Riccarton, and Weston.
28th. NW. morning, fine. SW. evening, rain. Again to Lyttelton with E. J. W., Bobby and Polly and returned. Copied letters for him and sent letters to Cass, Smith, and Raymond about the overdrawn check.
29th. Light NW. Variable. Very fine. Cridland arrived; long discussion about road matters. E. J. W. and Boys to Christchurch and back in canoe. They shot 3 ducks. Bill Holland got Greenwood's mare in to break.
30th. NE. Variable, fine. Cridland, Boys and I discussed matters at brick kiln; then with E. J. W. to Ditch 2 and saw old Greg. 3
31st. NE. Fine. E. J. W. and Boys riding. Cridland and I to Christchurch and invented working on road from Lyttelton to Christchurch.
1st November. Strong NE. Rain. NW. night, fine. A strong NE. with rain. Miserable day, remained indoors. E. J. W. read 'Playing for the Odd Trick' at Deans' in the evening. Afterwards broomstick and hats. Bill Holland went to Lyttelton with Greenwood's mare and brought saddle bags, &c., out for E. J. W. --Teroutai also.
2nd. SW. Rain. Squally South Wester which kept us indoors until the evening. Copied out my journal into journal book. Conversations with Deans and Cridland about roads &c.
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3rd. Sunday. Light SW. Very fine. Cridland and I with Teroutai to town 4 to commence on the road. Arranged to lodge with Pratt. To Cridland's in evening.
4th. Light NE. Very fine. Prepared for commencing work on the road from Lyttelton to Christchurch. 5 E. J. W. and Boys arrived from the plains, and started our boat with provisions &c. to Riccarton.
5th. Strong NE. Fine. Commenced work on the above mentioned road. John Cameron and Teroutai, E. J. W. and Boys returned to plains; former by boat from Sumner to Christchurch. Plotted the work in the evening.
6th. NE. Very fine. Cridland and I at work on the road.
7th. Light SW. Very fine. Ditto Ditto in the morning. The Phoebe Dunbar arrived from London and Otago. Letters to end of June and early July. Account of ballot of lands 6 in Canterbury Settlement, &c., &c. Saw Chisnall.
8th. NE. Fog and rain. On the top of range above Lyttelton with Miss Hart and Miss Trotter. Cridland and Mr Hart 7 to Riccarton. E. J. W. and John Deans arrived from Riccarton.
9th. Strong NE. Rain. Rained hard till the evening. I went on board the Phoebe Dunbar to see and give a parcel to a man to take to Nelson. Saw Captain Murray and Clifford, 8 who had been to Riccarton shooting and fishing, &c., &c., and others (intermediate passengers) who gave flourishing accounts of the country...
Mr and Mrs Dampier 9 and daughter, Porter, 10 and Staple-
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ton, 11 Canterbury Settlers, came ashore. Hart and Cridland returned from Riccarton.
[C. O. Torlesse to his sister. Emily Holland.]
Lyttelton,
Canterbury, N. Z.
9th November 1850.
My dearest Emily,
... The news we have received by the Phoebe Dunbar is very discouraging. Instead of 100,000 acres of land having been sold, as we confidently expected, there are only 8,800. Certainly the land sales may progress, but we cannot anticipate very speedy favourable results if at the period of starting, which is generally that of the greatest excitement, so little has been done. We regret this principally for the reason that there will not be a sufficiency of funds for carrying out the roads, bridges, and public works... However we shall struggle on without those advantages, and can boast of the respectability of the whole affair when we consider the fund that has been raised for church and collegiate purposes, and the superior quality of the intending colonists. We may be poor, but we shall be respectable... Besides, this settlement, from its superiority for general colonizing purposes over any other, in New Zealand certainly, and probably in Australia, will progress notwithstanding its bad start. And we have great reason to be thankful that the Association were not discouraged, but thought better to make an attempt rather than throw the whole affair up, as now we shall have a good groundwork to go upon; and otherwise the place would have been thrown open to all sorts of sharks and speculators whose sole idea of getting through life consists in 'making money, honestly if you can, but make money', and spending it without benefiting their fellow creatures...
I have seen the list of the ballot of choices for land, and find that there are two choices of 100 acres each in my father's name... I am delighted at the land having been bought, and though the choices are not among the earliest, still, considering there are so few, the selections will certainly be of very valuable spots. I believe they might be sold now in the colony at a considerable advance upon cost price...
Your ever affectionate brother,
CHARLES O. TORLESSE
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10th. Sunday. Strong NE. Very fine. The Phoebe Dunbar attempted to leave for Wellington, and beat up to Golland's Bay. Joe (wild Irishman) assaulting people, and not taken up. E. J. W. writing on subject to Wellington.
11th. Strong NE. Fine. Settled with Cridland that we should not proceed with the survey of the road. Found out about Alport's insinuations to Capt. Thomas about obtaining surreptitious copies of the plans through Gowland.
12th. NW. Very fine. SW. Fine evening. The Phoebe Dunbar sailed for Wellington. Mr Clifford came ashore to try Joe, who was fined £5. Also Miss Hart, Dampier, Captain Michie, &c. [came ashore], E. J. W. and I returned to Riccarton. The Twins arrived from Wellington with Captain Thomas, Cass, Lieut. Pattison, &c. --no fresh news. The Camilla had just arrived at Wellington. Eden supposed to be at Nelson.
13th. NE. Very fine. E. J. W., Boys and I shooting and spearing patiki in the Shakespeare. 12 Heard of arrival of the Twins and saw the Wellington newspapers.
14th. Strong NE. Very fine. E. J. W. to town. Boys and I rode down the Heathcote. Cass and Mr Pattison arrived from Port Lyttelton. Letters from E. W., and Brunner.
15th. Strong NE. Fine. John Deans, Mr Pattison, Cass and I rode out Westward to show Pattison the country. E. J. W. returned from Port Lyttelton. Received our checks up to end of June.
Per Hooghly two mares, 146 steers, 44 heifers arrived during absence at Otago.
16th. Light NE. and NW. afternoon. Very fine. SW. night. Mr Pattison returned to Riccarton. E. J. W. and I shooting on the Shakespeare, bagged 2 1/2 brace ducks, killed 4. Cridland and Gowland arrived from Port Lyttelton. All to Deans' in evening.
17th. Sunday. Light SW. Very fine. Cass and I rode to Christchurch. In afternoon walked in Deans' paddocks.
18th. NE. Very fine. Cridland and Gowland returned to Port Lyttelton.
19th. NE. Very fine. E. J. W., Cass and I to Lyttelton. The Alpha arrived and brought 15 men to work on the roads, and
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news of loan by Sir G. Grey of about £2,200 for roads at Canterbury. 13 Gollan arrived.
20th. NE. Fog. Rain night. E. J. W. writing letters, and undecided upon starting for a trip round the Peninsula. Jollie and Gollan exploring the hill for bridle road. To Cridland's in the evening.
21st. Light NE. Fog. Heard from E. J. W. Captain Thomas's reasons for displeasure, and charge against me of trying to obtain copies of plans, &c., and accordingly wrote to Gowland and Jollie for their written evidence upon the subject. Bridle road commenced.
22nd. NE. Fog. I had a long conversation with Captain Thomas on the above and other points which ended satisfactorily. Cass returned to Riccarton. E. J. W., Stapleton and I to Sumner and had dinner at Mrs Day's.
23rd. NE. Very fine. E. J. W. and I took boat to Raupaki and thence walked to Gebbie's by 5 p.m. Gebbie washing sheep--very ill. 14
24th. Sunday. NE. Very fine. SW. evening, rain. E. J. W. and I walked to Rhodes' by 2 p.m. Saw their sheep-washing place and wool-shed, also garden, and heard the 'nipper's' description of S. Australian life and the finding of the copper mines.
25th. NE. Rain. Fine afternoon. E. J. W. came over in boat to Lyttelton. The Salopian arrived from Wellington with 31 hands for the roads and news that Mr Godley was coming immediately in the Acheron. I started for Riccarton, but saw Gollan who told me that Capt. Thomas entertained the idea
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of my taking the bridle road by contract; and I accordingly walked over it to form an estimate. Dined at the Doctor's.
The schooner Eliza from Otago and Auckland Isles arrived. Polack 15 on board, who had sold the remainder of the cattle for £7 after they had been at McDonald's station.
26th. NE. Very fine. I saw Captain Thomas about the road contract, but hearing that he contemplated employing me on some surveying if he had Mr Godley's consent, I refused the road.
27th. NE. Fine. Pollard, Stapleton and I went in P's boat to Rhodes' and saw the sheep shearing going on--good hand per day at 17/6 per 100. The tide left the boat and we had considerable trouble in launching her. Returned to Lyttelton at 7 p.m. Boys arrived from plains--story about Teroutai, and had seen 4 wild dogs.
28th. NE. Fine. Laid a plan for camping about Shakespeare and Heathcote to catch the above dogs, or hunt pigs, or shoot. Boys and I and Doctor Donald started for Riccarton at 2 p.m.
29th. NW. Very fine. Light SW. night. Cass, Donald, Boys and I rode out to No. 13--saw a cow (dead of tutu). 16 Bobby bolted with me in Deans' large paddock. Heard in the evening that the Acheron had arrived. Mr & Mrs Godley on board.
30th. NE. Fine. Cass and Boys and Holland on Bobby rode out to help with Captn. Mitchell's cattle across the Courtenay. 17 I remained at home to receive the Acherons. Lyall 18 and Spencer 19 arrived at 12 noon, Phillips, Captn. Richards 20
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and Captn. Murray in the evening. I went with Lyall botanizing. John Deans arrived from station with 600 sheep.
1st December. Sunday. NE. Very fine. NW. evening. I rode Bobby to Lyttelton. On board the Acheron and dined with the gunroom officers. The Acherons, and Bradshaw who came out to Riccarton today, returned and on board. I slept on board.
2nd. SW. Rain and hail. I went on shore and saw Mr Godley and made arrangements for his trip to Mt Grey. On board in the evening and dined with Captain Stokes. Remained on board. Very rough, winter-like, weather. Cass arrived at Lyttelton and on board.
3rd. SW. Fine. Breakfasted with Captn. Stokes and Cass. Then ashore, saw Mr Godley and started to Riccarton. Went out with Boys to try and get some ducks.
4th. NE. Very fine. Mr & Mrs Godley and son, Weld, 21 Wakefield arrived from port with 2 pack-horses.
5th. SW. Showery. Noon NE., fine. Evening NE., fog and showery. Mr & Mrs Godley and their son Arthur (3 years old), Weld, Wakefield, Boys, myself and Mimiomoko Brown, 22 (with San Francisco, Lady Nugent, Kathleen, Bobby, Polly, Roger, St Hill, the Grey filly and Brown's horse) started from Deans' about 10 a.m. and arrived at the Paddle at 2 p.m. and lunched: then proceeded to opposite Tinui's and camped on the Courtenay, the natives bringing in firewood and eels. Drank plenty of tea and sang songs till 11 p.m. and had a snug night of it.
Cass returned from Port Lyttelton.
6th. NE. & NW. Very fine. Swam all the horses across the 2 branches of the Courtenay with Tinui's canoe. Mr & Mrs Godley up to our Kiapoi station in canoe--Brown's horse off. Mr Godley examined the gardens made in the Association's part of Tuahiwi bush. Natives all dressed out for the reception of the Governor as they called Mr Godley. At 2 p.m. the whole
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party proceeded to Rangiora bush--Mr Godley, E. J. W. and I by way of Mt Grey spurs Nos. 1 & 3. Comfortably camped at Rangiora. 23
7th. NE. Very fine. Weld started on his journey up the coast to Flaxburn by way of Mitchell's and Brown's station. All the rest started at 9 a.m., camped for lunch on the Cust, and reached Harewood Station (our Oxford Camp) at 6 p.m. E. J. W., Brown and I having gone on ahead to clean out the houses and make scones.
8th. Sunday. NE. Very fine. SW. evening, slight rain. E. J. W. read the morning service in our house. Bill Holland on St Hill to Rangiora bush to search for the strayed horses; returned at 3 p.m. and started again on Polly and found them about 3 miles down the Eyre returning to the Station. E. J. W., Boys and I went up the Eyre to look for the horses. Baked damper.
9th. NW. Very fine. Started from Harewood Station at 9 a.m., Mr Godley, E. J. W., Boys and I pig hunting. Caught a fine young boar with Jerry, Dido and Noble. Brought his head home. Crossed the Courtenay quite easily. I reached Riccarton at 5 1/2 p.m., main party at 7 p.m., having had a most agreeable cruise unalloyed by any unpleasant coincidences except Brown's presence: he started for home this morning. Teroutai very tired.
10th. NW. Very fine. Mr & Mrs Godley started for Port Lyttelton at 3 p.m. E. J. W. also to Port Lyttelton. Holland to lead Mrs Godley's horse. Dimond with the pack-horse.
Mr Godley settled the accounts of the trip with me.
11th. NE. Very fine. Light SW. at night, no rain. Boys to Port Lyttelton to plot the Oxford Trig. Cass started two men and Teroutai with sledge and pack-horse to near No. 6 C, on the Tai-tapu to examine Nankeville's contract Survey. 24 Cass
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and I followed at 3 1/2 p.m. Fished for eels at night with no success. A few drops of rain from SW., then very fine.
12th. NE. Very fine. Cass went out with Nankeville to examine the latter's work. I with Alick and Teroutai crossed 2 branches of the Tai-tapu, and went out in the direction of No. 1 L pig-hunting. No luck, though we came across plenty of fresh rootings. We returned to the tents at 4 p.m. and I then rode back to Riccarton.
13th. NW. Very fine. Reading at Riccarton. Cass returned at 5 p.m., Alick also with the dogs who had caught 3 boars near No. 1 L where Cass's party camped.
Heard that Sir G. Grey had arrived this morning in the Fly. 25
14th. NE. Very fine. Up very early and rode to town. Met E. J. W. at the foot of the hills who was coming out to look out for horses for Governor and party; also Mr Thomas 26 and Luke of the Fly.
Saw Mr Godley who told me to wait in town to receive orders about setting off road-lines. Mr Godley introduced me to the Governor who conversed with me about the Southern country. 27
Sir G. Grey, Lady Grey, Mr Godley and Capt. Oliver 28 and E. J. W. to Deans' and returned.
15th. Sunday. NE. Very fine. I went on board H. M. S. Fly to call on Colonel Bolton. 29 Had a long conversation with him and Sir G. Grey. Presented to the latter my letter to him from Lord Grey. 30 Sent him a specimen of N. Z. rat by Pirikawau.
To Cridland's in the evening and stirred him up.
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16th. NE. Very fine. At 10 a.m. the Charlotte Jane came to an anchor off Port Lyttelton--left Plymouth on the 7th Septr. E. J. W. and I on board 31 --Ward and 2 brothers and Fitzgerald.
Sir G. Grey offered me the appointment of Landing Waiter at Port Lyttelton, which, after much consultation with Mr Gowland and E. J. W. and kind advice from Mr Godley, I refused by letter to his Excellency.
At 5 1/2 p.m., the Randolph, same day from Plymouth, arrived. Great cheers from the other ship.
Heard of Captain Thomas' order to commence setting off road lines.
17th. NE. Very fine. Making preparations--tracing &c. -- for a start to the plains.
At 12 the Sir G. Seymour arrived. No mail, only received land-orders.
Mr & Mrs Haward came ashore with letters from my mother, newspapers and a pair of slippers. £4 to Mr Haward.
On board Randolph in evening and disgusted with reception.
18th. NE. Very fine. Heard that Mr Godley was appointed Resident Magistrate and Superintendent here. Received orders to level the sites for the Emigration Barracks at Christchurch, and Survey Office---also to put emigrants in possession for squatting on the market-place. 32 Sent £5 through Pratt & McBeth for John Martin on Smith & Allan's account.
At 2 p.m. E. Ward and his brother Henry and I started for Riccarton. Cass and Boys also returned. To Cridland's in the morning and got tracing laid down.
Engaged 2 Dimonds and Dodd and sent them to Riccarton. Large party at Deans'.
19th. NE. & NW. Very fine. Very hot day--mixed NW. & NE. weather. I went down to Christchurch to lay out and
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clear sites for emigration barracks. The Wards returned to Port Lyttelton with the large party that stayed at Deans' last night.
Some of the labouring emigrants sent out to me to have pointed out the site of the market place for them to squat upon. Heard at night that one of them, Williamson, had been found dead on the top of the hill. 33
Dodd and G. Dimond cutting. Dimond to the Port for maps.
Settlers appeared well pleased with the country.
20th. NE. & NW. Very fine. Dodd branding. Two Dimonds getting piles out of the bush and cutting ranging rods. Contracted with maories to build a house for Ward for £10. Two of them went to the port for provisions. Two sawyers, the first of the new emigrants, arrived here to commence work on their own account.
First 'public meeting' at Port Lyttelton. 34
21st. NE. Very fine. Dodd cutting for emigration barracks, Wall and G. Dimond ditto. Dimond with Cass, who computed in field. Boys computed in the field and laid the obelisk. Bill Holland carting piles and Pollard's goods on return trips.
22nd. Sunday. NE. Very fine. Very hot day. Up very early and rode to Port Lyttelton by nine a.m. To church at the Association's store for the first time since leaving Wellington. Very much pleased with the service and singing and struck with the respectability and decorum of the people.
Heard that Donald was appointed pro tem Colonial Surgeon by Mr Godley. Saw Mr Fisher about the boat. The Settlers dissatisfied with the high rates of freight.
Returned in the evening to Riccarton in 2 hours from Lyttelton.
Riccarton.
22nd December 1850.
My dearest Mother,
It seems a long time since I last wrote (10th November to
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Emily), and now I only make the attempt in order to keep you free from anxiety. Affairs are in such an uncertain state that I am not in a fit state to commit my thoughts to paper, and shall confine myself to a sort of 'log' of the occurrences here since the above date.
19th Novr. News arrived of Sir G. Grey's having advanced about £2,400 for carrying on public works &c. which were immediately resumed in consequence, and a bridle road over the hills commenced.
22 to 25th. E. J. W. and I exploring.
29th. Mr and Mrs Godley and child arrived in the Acheron. Captain Stokes very kind, and very strongly complimentary in his mention of our work here. Remained on board 2 nights.
4th Decr. Mr & Mrs Godley and their child (3 years old) having invited me to be their guide over the country, and accompanied by E. J. W. and Boys, made an exploring trip going by way of Mandeville to Harewood Forest, and thence straight across to Riccarton. Mr Godley is a thorough gentleman, and I place great dependence in his generally correct management of this important and difficult business from his thoroughly high principles, great ability and sense of justice. Mrs Godley is the beau ideal of a lady. They and their infant gave us no trouble as waiting upon them was a real pleasure: in fact I have not had such a treat since I left England as the benefit of their company. We were all mounted and accompanied by 2 pack horses... We had service at Harewood Forest on the Sunday in our own house which Mr & Mrs Godley occupied.
13th Decr. The Fly arrived from Auckland Islands with Sir George & Lady Grey on board.
14th. Mr Godley presented me to the Governor who asked me questions about my trip to the Southward and the country generally. Mr Godley told me that the Governor had determined to advance the money requisite for laying off the road lines of the country--so that there would be immediate work for us.
15th. I called on Colonel Bolton on board the Fly, who was very civil and advised my presenting Lord Grey's letter to His Excellency, which I did.
16th. Great Anniversary of the Canterbury Settlement. The Charlotte Jane and Randolph dropped anchor within a few hours of one another off Port Lyttelton. Saw Ward and his brothers. Sir G. Grey offered me the appointment of landing
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waiter in the Customs here, value £150 per annum with prospect of advance in the Department. I had only a few hours to decide, and only after a severe struggle between duty and inclination, sent his Excellency my refusal of the situation. Mr Godley, though as you may suppose he was dreadfully harassed, found time to volunteer his advice in the matter...
17th Decr. The Sir George Seymour arrived. A remarkable thing these vessels coming so close upon one another. You can imagine my state of mind at receiving no letters, which are supposed to be on board the Cressy. Saw Mr and Mrs Haward, who were well, but landed in such a low state of funds that I lent them £4 just to go on with... The uncertainty about your coming as I hear conflicting reports (a positive assurance to that effect by a gossiping man Doctor Barker) are very harassing.
I have received the land order for No. 81 choice--but do not understand what the 100 acres (No. 86) to my father's name on the list means.
18th. Mr Godley appointed Resident Magistrate.
19th. Came out to commence work. Ward and one brother passed the night with me.
22nd. Went to Lyttelton to church in the Association's Store. Very much gratified at the whole service, chanting and singing, and struck with the respectable tone of the whole thing which I pray God may realize our most sanguine expectations.
I received last night your packet by the Eden, also a pair of slippers and Memoir of Mr Fox.
With kindest love to all.
Your ever devoted Son,
CHARLES O. TORLESSE
23rd. NW. Very fine. Two Dimonds, George (one of Boys' men) and Day at work levelling site for Emigration Barracks. Boys and Cass on road lines. Very hot day. Dodd with Cass.
24th. NW. Shower. Fine. Two Dimonds and Day at work levelling site for Emigration barracks. Left off early and went to Lyttelton. To Cridland's in the evening. Heard of the selections for 1 to 5 choices. Dodd with Cass.
25th. Christmas Day. W. & SW. Very fine. Went to Church at the Association's Store at 11 a.m. Chanted the services. To
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dinner at Mr Godley's at 2 p.m. and afterwards in boat to Gleig's Island--Mr & Mrs Fitzgerald, 35 Ward & Tancred. 36
To Mr Godley's in the evening--promise from him of the settlement of my back claims. Music in the evening. Talk with Fitzgerald about selections. To Cridland's at night and arranged for him to call me to-morrow morning and walk to the top of the hill.
26th. NE. Very fine. Up early and returned to Riccarton to breakfast, setting the men to work at branding and preparing stakes--G. Dimond only. Dodd and Dimond returned in the evening. Making tracings, &c. Letter to C. G. T.
27th. NE. Very fine. Setting the men to work branding and preparing stakes--Dodd, G. Dimond and Dimond.
Mr & Mrs Russell and E. J. W. arrived from Lyttelton. I sent Bobby to foot of the hills to meet E. J. W. Mr & Mrs Willock and Mr & Mrs Phillips walked out to Christchurch. 37
Cressy arrived at Lyttelton.
28th. NE. Very fine. Cass and I commenced from the edge of the river and at Scrogg's H to chain and peg the road line 38 running at back of Deans' fence, and thence branching off to Oxford and Lincoln.
Mr & Mrs Russell and E. J. W. returned to Lyttelton.
29th. Sunday. Strong NE. Very fine. Remained at Riccarton. Cass to Lyttelton and returned. Pollard and Tancred came to dine and tea with us. Greatly disappointed at having no letters by the Cressy.
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30th. NE. Very fine. Light SW. at night. I began at 3 miles 60 chains on Cass's line from Christchurch and started roadline to Harewood Forest. Ranged, chained and staked 2 miles. Dimond, Jack and Teroutai on the line. G. Dimond to the Port with a pack-horse for provisions. Dodds carrying stakes & branding...
31st. Light SW. Very fine. Foggy at night. Shipped Jack. I started my men with pack-horse and loads to the Courtenay. Boys and I divided property and squared accounts. I lent Bobby to Bill to go with Russell to Harewood Forest.
