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 123, 21 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 11th inst.

There is always, in narratives of this kind, a certain delicacy in mentioning the names of others ; but to some extent it is necessary to do so. Only a few, however, need be mentioned ; —some soon removed to other parts of the country, while others turned their thoughts and best attention towards what seemed to each most desirable, and which they thought would best further their own interests as well as those of their adopted land. Among those who settled down may l>e mentioned the Haylocks, Pavitts, F.arrs, Vogans, Parkers, Rule, Green, and Hilleur. After a while the Haylocks decided to erect a flour mill, to be driven by water power. This was accomplished, and the building was named, after the street in which it was erected, the " Grehan Mill." The Pavitts huilt the first saw mill in Canterbury at Robinson's Bay, where they had purchased land. Both these mills were of much service to Akaroa, and their erection may be regarded as a great achievement under the then existing circumstances, tor there was no foundry in those days, and only one man, a whitesmith, who knew anything of ironwork. Nothing daunted, however, by the many and great obstacles, the mills were completed, and, though some parts were of somewhat rude construction, the desired end was attained. Mr S. C. Farr acted as engineer to this primitive saw mill, and, afterwards, was engaged for the second mill of the same kind in the. province, named the " Cumberland Saw Mills," situate in Duvauchelle's Bay. My self-imposed narrative now draws to a close. Scenes changed, circumstances altered, some rested from their labours and passed on to fairer regions ; a few remain, who are with us still, while others, faithful to the old spot, though removed some little distance from it, like to occasionally visit | us. Sonic' have done little to mark their course, and, when they pass away, will be forgotten ; but there are others, who have left their mark upon the rocks of time, not soon to bo erased. Their aim has been usefulness; —they have been, in every sense of the word, good colonists.

AN OLD PIONEER.