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 121, 14 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 issue of the 7th)

The table was well furnished, and the cooking excellent. As may easily be imagined, we did ample justice to the substantial repast set before us, and enjoyed it as only those can who, for a long time, have neither tasted fresh meat, nor, indeed, a proper meal. For this, our first meal in our new country, we each paid two shilling and sixpence. As night came on. we returned to the ship, and this daily routine was kept up for about a fortnight, during which, we, each day, wandered farther away into the different valleys, becoming at the end of this period so enamonred of the place that no less than 40 of the passengers agreed to remain. Akaroa was then in alf its pristine beauty, so enchanting in its climate, and so picturesque in its scenery, that one could not resist the fascination and the feeling that it was all that could be desired ; but, we soon fcJund that the beauties of the place could not alone satisfy the wants, of man, for, owing to the sudden infiux of population caused by our arrival, provisions became scarce, and the serious question arose as to whether we had acted wisely in determining insr to remain. The ship being yetin the Harbour, we had still an opportunity of escape, when news reached us of the arrival at Wellington by the " Lady Nugent" of the agent for the " Canterbury Association," tidings which filled us with a vague hope of better things to come, and so, reluctant to leave a spot which had strangely insinuated itself into our affections, we finally decided to remain. On the 15th of May 1850, the " Monarch," having had a new rudder made and fixed, sailed away without us for her original destination, Auckland, during her stay in harbor, four of her crew we.ie drowned from a small boat, when returning to the ship from ashore, where they had been having a spree, all being more or less intoxicated. We were now left to our own resources, and to shape our course in the best way we could, but before taking leave of the vessel for good and all, it may be well to add a few particulars about the live stock we were enabled to successfully bring out with us. But few were landed alive out of the original stock. The deer, Pheasants (save one brace), Partrdges, and ; hares given by Lord Braybrooke died on the passage out. We landed, however 1 pure bred Bull, 2 ditto Heifers 1 pure bred Mare, and a brace of Pheasants, all belonging to Mr Smith. As Canterbury was not known in those days, the Mare was sent on to Nelson and was one amongst the first, if not the first, that won a prize in the Colony.; The Bull and the Heifers remained in Akaroa ; and the Pheasants were let loose in Pigeon Bay. We-also brought out vegetable, tree, and farm seeds of all kind, kindly given us by Lord Mansfield's gardener. It may also be of interest to mention that Mr Brnce was our pilot into Akaroa, and Big 1 William the first native on board. (To be Continued.)