BULLY HAYES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1923, Page 4

BULLY HAYES.

IXCIDEXTS IX HIS CAREER®

(By “AV.A.K.” in Wellington “Evening Rost.”).

So Xew Zealand is going to he exploited—or, shall we say, advertised again—her splendid scenery shown ; and events of her early history depicted on the screen for the enjoyment or amusement of many people in many countries. It scents rather a pity that some chapters in our interesting early history, more worthy of recording than those touching on the part the notorious Bullv Haves played—that he has to his credit (or otherwise) numerous dare-devil exploits is freely admitted - could not he re-enacted for picture production. It secnis only a. sign of the times that we must have something exciting and contrary to law and order to make a “picture” take well with pre-sent-day patrons One- incident T recall occurred many : year sago. One afternoon the residents of Hokitika noticed a strange brig off the harbour. The vessel was signalled, and the tug Lioness put mu. The visitor was the Roiia, with Captain Haves. The Rona. so the captain said, had a cargo of fruit from the islands lor a certain firm. The vessel remained in port for the belter part of a week, he business of clearing the Kona was delayed owing to a round of holiday-mnk-i„Vr. The Rona's agents, of course, participated in the holiday, and closed the doors of their office and joined in the tfv-.tivitios. Everybody api>? ar °d to be in a merry and frivolous mood, except (he captain of the Rona. On returnlug from a race meeting one ot the partners in the firm was approached l,v Haves, who not altogether successfill in 'concealing his agitation, wanted his papers that evening, as lie had made 11 p Hi.s mind to “up sail aim away” in the morning. Somebody was eveutuallv found, and for a consideration made up the accounts, and the agitated captain was “cleared at about 11! p.in.” The head of the linn having fii 11v enjoyed and participated in the holiday, was anxious to hid good-night and ret ire tn bed ; but Hayes was in m.

mood to keen company with his own conscience. Ho had agreed to call his agent, at 2 a. ill., hut the tired agent was called out at 10.30 p.m. Hayes explained lie had been walking with Old Vick” for company, and could endure it no longer. The hard trader was consumed with a nervous dread tout some prying eyes would discoverer more than fruit on the Rona. He wanted his papers, and until he had them safely stowed away in his locker could not. rest. The landing waiter having appeared, the three men went on to the wharf. The agent remained on the

wharf, and Hayes and the official went on tin.' Rona. A few minutes later Haves appeared, and. waving some papers exclaimed; “I’ve got them. “Got wlmt:-” asked the agent. “I’vr got the panels,” yelled Hayes, “and all the devils in hell won’t get them back.” The excited skipper, after getting rid of the official, returned to t.hc intent, and calmly told him that he had never been nearer hell in his life. “Why:-" exclaimed the bewildered agent. Then Hayes told him that the landing waiter had examined the decks

of the Ron it, and had actually gone into the cabins, conducting hi- examiim lion with the aid of matches which

with a great, show of carelessness, had thrown them on to the deck of the brig. If Haves Imd never been tliorcoghlv scared hv hi- numerous white and black enemies, he experienced the power d fear that morning. The landing waiter had b. eu throwing lighted matches on to a, tarpaulin which covered twenty tons of gun-powder. The perspiring Hayes, lor once in his lile was afraid, lie fixed his staring eyes on ihe matches as they It-ft I lie officer's hands, and immediately smothered any sign of ;• spark by scrunching the mulch under his foot. The agent then understood the force of the skipper’s exclamations. In a few minutes the tug hail hauled the Rona dear of the wharf to an achorage in the stream. Three men appeared at the agent’s door that morning and asked to he taken aboard the. Rona. One was the owner of the brig, ani.ither a. bailiff, and (he third a detective. The party concluded it would he useless to pul mil to the brig, for Hayes would take no ri-ks; lie had danger enough on

hoard, lie left with the information ihut, the Rona was hound for Norfolk Island wit!' cattle. Two months Liter

the Rona appeared off Auckland, but the appearance of a police boat caused him to clear off again. Hayes’ next appearance was at Poverty Ray. two months later, when he landed his cargo of gunpowder, which was sold—il is said--to the rebel chief Te Kooti. At last hi, secret: was out. hut il was too late to hr of service to the police. This is only one of the many numerous exploits of the hero of the proposed picture to he filmed here, according to current reports. Alaiiy will perhaps remember the brigantine Black Diamond at. Nelson about ISli-l - hut that is another tale.

It is remarkable that in .Voiron.^ the most beautiful and peaceful city of the Dominion, not only should tho Bur-gess-Kelly gang of murderers be brought to trial and executed, but that also this notorious Captain “Bully” Hayes, th? terron of the Pacific, should have lorn outwitted and have lost his brigantine. the. Black Diamond, by a smart cutting-out expedition conducted l.v the kite Mr William Akersten. of Ncl-on. It was on Sept. 21-t. lI'OI. that .Messrs \V. Akersten. Kdward Pierey. W. •Turner. T. Aside, 1\ . Dayman, and —.Johnston, iu the whaleboat Blue Jacket, were towed down to the (Voixclle.s by Capain Whitwell, of the p.x. Lvllelloii. They had been sworn i‘t as special constables by the .Resident .Magistrate at Nelson. .Mr Poynt to execute a warrant received from Sydney. .Just before the daw t) they boarded the Black Diamond in the Creixeltes Harbour, and a rough and tumble ensued, which ended in the redoubtable “Bully” being laid on bis own deck and an axe lie bad seized beine: sent spinning into the water, fhe vessel was sold by auction in Nelson in satisfaction of the warrant.