EARLY COAST REMINISCENCES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1930, Page 3

EARLY COAST REMINISCENCES

LINKS WITH THE TAST. (Contributed). As from time to time we, who are now living away from the Coast, but who aio, from old •association inseparably connected with it, learn of the passing away, one by one of the old Identities of the. early sixties, it appears as though another page had been turned over in the stirring history of the early gold-fields days, and another link severed which connects the present generation with times of which we shall soon have nothing but written—and uncompJete—records. It is only a week or so since we received the sad news of the death of. Mrs W. A. Thompson, who, during her 67 years of married life, spent almost entirely on the Coast had endeared herself by her beautiful kindly nature to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Deep' and sincere is the sympathy we all feel with her husband—that worthy old pioneer—and the family in the sad bereavement which has overtaken them.

There are probably only a few surviving West Coasters now who would remember Mrs Sebley, who passed away in Auckland last week, as Maggie, the eldest daughter ot tlie late Mr and Airs Robert Ross. She however could claim to be one of tlie old. pioneers as, a. girl oi about twelve years of age she landed with her mother and two younger brothers (the present .Messrs R. and W. Ross) from the little steamer Egmont, from Invercargill, in or about 1865. She lived witli her parents at Kanieri and Hokitika for some years until she loft with Mr and Mrs Geisow for \Vaipukurau, and during these, the impressionable years of her youth, she retained marvellous clear recollections of the Coast and the- old West Coasters, and on these recollections she loved to dwell. Anyone had only to refer to her early days on the Coast and Mrs Seblcy could picture vividly for them the conditions then existing, and the hearty good fellowship the worthy men and women who, in face of hardship and danger wrested from nature not only means of sustenance, but, ill the aggregate that vast mineral wealth which played, so important a part in building up the prosperity of New Zealand.

Those were days when there was no unemployment dole; no Government to appeal to by those ybo could not make a living for themselves; no housing scheme . with Government grants to build . up-to-date residences. Each and all of the hardy/ pioneers had to “fend for themselves.” Knowing this most of the married men who either tramped across the ranges, or came round the coast -in small vessels, boats, or practically anything which would float, left their families until such time as they had tested out the possibilities of the ‘‘wild West Coast,” and . could make some provision for establishing their wives and children in some degree of comfort. The spirit of the women was however, as.indomitable as that of the men, and they were not prepared to remain safe and snug while their “menfolk” were facing dangers and privations. Many of them therefore decided to join their husbands, and amongst these was the late Mrs Ross senr. who came round, from Invercargill with her three young child-

Only a few days before her death I had the privilege of talking with Mrs Seblev about the old West Coast days. She described how her father coming out in the tender to the Egmont was surprised to find his wife and family aboard. There was a heavy swell on, and there was considerable difficulty in transferring all the passengers to the tender. She remembered that one woman fell overboard, but was rescued with nothing worse than a ducking. At that time, there being no road formed between Hokitika and Kanieri, and the dense bush being almost impenetrable., Mr Robert Ross with his mate or partner Air Brown was running a “flattie” or big punt up the river, and was delivering cargo at Kanieri—the freight at one time being as high as £3 a. ton. As however the punt had to be unloaded at one or two places and,,dragged or hedged up over the “falls” the crew working up to their waists in ice cold water, the earning of this apparently high freight was a “man’s job,” and those who knew the late Mr Ross realized that the hardship and exposure had their effect on even his robust constitution in later years.

Airs Schley described how her mother and the family wore taken to Kanieri and lived for some time in two tents: and how they were looked on ns the “swells” of convas-town because the tents were neatly and snugly lined with blue blankets. Tt was some time later before- the family were provided with a real house—with a real chimnev and fireplace. Those were

the conditions facing the pioneers of AVestlnnd and yet Airs Schley asserted they were really happy times. Kindly neighbours helped one another, were interested in each other’s welfare, and would share even to their last crust with those who were worse off than themselves. Tt is hardlv surprising therefore that these conditions, and the kindlv ,sprit of the old pioneers left a lasting impression in the mind of ARs Seblev, and that she, up to file verv last was interested in the West Coast and West Coasters of whom she ahvavs rmhtlv claimed to he one. though she had been nwav for so rnpnv years. That she was imbued with

the spirit of helpfulness and kindliness so characteristic of those old days can lie testified to by all who knew her in after years, as her help and assistance was always given when required freely to all those in sickness or distress.

Airs Schley after spending some years on the Coast went to Waipukuruu, where, at the age of 23 she was married to Mr W. Sebley, afterwards living for many years in Waipiuvn, where the family, one son and five daughters were horn. In later years Mr and Mrs Schley removed to Petone, Wellington. Mrs Sebley has on several occasions visited the Coast and was present at the Jubilee Exhibition when so many old identities gathered from far and near. Her recollection of the early days was almost phenomenal and she could he confidently relied on to dear up some of the obscurities which have in course of time arisen concerning the old times when Hokitika was one of the most populous and important centres m New Zealand. Her husband who is one of the few surviving veterans of the Afaori War can look back on 54 years of happy married life with the devoted wife and mother who has now been taken from him, and the family'! Deep and universal is the sympathy felt for Mr Sebley (now in his 84th year) and the family in the sad bereavement.

With the peaceful passing awav of Mrs Sebley who was the oldest of the non senior branch of the Ross family another link has been severed with the enrlv days, and yet another of the worthy old identities has gone to her rest, retaining to the last keen intovert- in, and affection for the Coast where her youthful days were spent.

To die is landing on some silent shore Where billows never beat, or tempests roar Ere well we feel tlie kindly stroke, tis o’er.