A NARRATIVE OF THE VOYAGE AND SUBSEQUENT LANDING AT AKAROA, OF THE FIRST DIRECT ENGLISH SETTLERS IN CANTERBURY, FROM 1849 TO 1850.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 118, 7 September 1877, Page 2

A NARRATIVE OF THE VOYAGE AND SUBSEQUENT LANDING AT AKAROA, OF THE FIRST DIRECT ENGLISH SETTLERS IN CANTERBURY, FROM 1849 TO 1850.

(Continued from our issue of the 31st ult.)

Hope had fled, and grim despair had taken possession of us all, for there was no chance of extraneous aid, and the coastal steamers which now ply so frequently between our ports, and run up and down the coast, were not then in existance, when, as is often the case just about midnight, the wind suddenly veered round to an exactly opposite quarter, and speedily drifted us away from the land into comparative safety. Then arose sincere and hearty thanksgivings for deliverance in the hour of peril to Him who rules not only the winds and waves, but also the destiny of His creatures. With the appearance of day, the only spar we had on board was fixed so as to steer the vessel, and under sail, we set out for the nearest, or any port tliat could be found. On the 27th day of March, 1850, we made the heads of Akaroa Harbor, into which the owners had determined to enter, but the wind proved unfavorable for so unmanageable a rudder, and, in an almost starving condition, we were compelled to lie to for almost a week, before a fair wind arose for taking us in. On the 2nd day of April, we entered the head? about 7 a.m. and to our great delight saw a boat coming down the harbor towards us. The occupants soon boarded us, and amongst them was an old sea captain, who, knowing the harbour, had come to pilot us up to the anchorage, not forgetting to bring with him some eatables, consisting of new bread, butter, and watercress, which were portioned out, and devoured with voracious eagerness. It should have been stated, that; on the day previous to our entering the heads, a boat with one of the officers and a crew of volunteers from amongst the passengers had proceeded down the harbor, and reported our arrival and condition,whicli was no doubt the cause of the boat with supplies coming to meet us.

We let go anchor at one o'clock the same day. and in an hour afterwards many of us landed, thankful enough to be on terrafirma again after our long and perilous voyage. Here and there might then have been seen small groups of the new arrivals wending their way to seek newfriends amongst the strangers, astonished to find, instead of the traditional cannibal of New Zealand, Europeans, like themselves, representatives of England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Savoy and Germany, who proffered a most hearty welcome, and seemed right pleased to see us, while a few Maoris, to all appearance tame and civilized, joined in tbe cordial reception, accorded to us by all. Fortunately, among our passengers was a young man, who could speak French fluently, proved of great service to us. Eventually a kind of patois was which enabled us to deal with our new friends, and such was their kindness and hospitality, that after twenty-seven years sojourn in this colony, we still look back with feelings of the keenest gratitude and pleasure to the welcome we-received at their hands. We partook of tea on the day of our landing at Bruce's Hotel.

{To be Continued.)