FOOTPRINTS ON THE SANDS OF TIME.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5363, 5 June 1878, Page 2

FOOTPRINTS ON THE SANDS OF TIME.

In continuation of the extracts from the New Zealand Gazette given in the Times of Monday are published some other items of news for the year 1840, of more or less interest to old residents and recent arrivals. On the 29th August, it is stated that the whole of the male inhabitants of the Pa of 1 etom capable of bearing arms, have turned out, headed by £. Touni, and proceeded in tbe direction of Pallisser Bay. The cause we believe, is hearing many reports of guns, and doubting the good faith of the Ngatikahuui tribe, with whom they have lately made peace. 1 ’ On the 25th August a very shocking boat accident occurred at Petoni. Several boats were running with all sail before a strong southeast wind, which occasioned a heavy surf on the beach. One of the boats with twelve persons in it upset within one hundred yards of the beach, and although the depth of water was but seven feet, only three were saved. The body of a man who was known as Colonial Bill was not found. The following were buried on the 24th August:— Mr. John Pierce, late of Birmingham. Mr. W. Elsdon. late of Louden. ■ ’ Mr. Richard Hight. Mr. J. Lancaster, late of London.

Mr. Josias Tucker, late of Cornwall. Mr. Griffin, late steward of the Cuba, Mr. Rogers, late of Cromwall.

Mr. Martin, mariner. Maori men and women behaved with great bravery, and their exertions were gratefully acknowledged. The only persons saved were Mr. Francis Bradey, Mr. Fowler, and the steersman, - ■

It appears that the members of the Pickwick Club of New Zealand had in contemplation the erection of a neat tombstone as a mark of their unfeigned sorrow for the untimely fate of their treasurer, Mr. W. Elsdon, and Messrs. Pierce, Lancaster, and Hight, members of tbe club. The convivial meetings of the club were postponed to October. On the 12th September, it was reported that the Buffalo, Government storeahip, on her way to the Thames, had been totally wrecked in Mercury Bay., The crew were saved.

A contributor to the Gazette used to imitate Dickens’ “ Jingle.” Here is a sample: “ Loud report—very—about Bay of Islands, from the guns of the fair Barbadian—governor undecided as to township—not like to settle on Thames till house snug and comfortable—very —sale of town lands at Russell put off—something in the wind—mysterious-very—ball at Royal Hotel, Kororarika—no. go—all fudge about carriages and horses—gun reports, no horses, no carriages, - no roads—true roads named, but. when to be formed?—funny people at Bay of Islands—very.—Alfred Jingle, of No Hall,-No-where.”-

No doubt this was full of meaning,'and possibly conveyed hints in vague language as to matters which could not be Spoken plainly about. . Possibly the key is still in therecol* lection of old residents. ,

In a later issue Jingle says: “Rare doings at Port Nicholson—young ladies r iond of gardening—very—rakes at a premium—bachelors’ buttons at a discount—spring show of flowers likely to be attractive—-very—floricul-ture—(query. Flora ?) pretty study—nice walks—secluded—very—mum !” ; During the week ending the 21st November the bakers reduced the price of the 21b, loaf from Is. to lOd;,' but the public felt entitled to a further redaction. It was said that at the price of flour if the 21b. loaf was charged at Bd., the bakers would still obtain good profit. The Martha Ridgway arrived from London on the 14th November, with. 16 adult cabin passengers and 10 children, and 111 adults with 84 children in the steerage. ■ Shortly after the ship put to sea the steward was. attacked with small-pox,: and those on board ship had not been free from it up to her arrival. Necessary precautions had been taken against introducing the terrible disease. It was greatly feared that were it to attack the natives its havoc would be very great, owing to their living in low close buildings. ■■■■.■>. , , On the 12th December, the Gazette gathered from the Sydney Herald that New Zealand had already made, a draft upon tbe Sydney Treasury to the extent of £20,000. How that had been expended, whether wholly, in support of the Executive, or partly in the purchase of land from the natives, was not stated. What would, they have thought in 1840 of a two and a half million loan ?

The shipping intelligence of the 30th May announced the wreck of the Aurora at Kaipara, the total loss at the Bay of Plenty of the Falcon from Sydney, the wreck off the East Cape of the schooner Felix from Sydney, with the loss of alb hands ; and the wreck of the schooner Ulitea, on the Bast Coast. ‘ In those old days there was a man who may have meant well by his fellow-colonists, but be was given to inflicting bad jokes upon them. This is one —“Why is the company’s land at Wanganui and Taranaki like 1 the laud of Canaan? D’ye give it, up ?—Because it is the land of promise.” To many people Taranaki is still “ a land of promised” • He made another attempt soon for the following is chronicled under the heading of the “Lairdof Waiwefcu’s last “ Why: is Port Nicholson like a nursery?-—Because it contains an infant colony, and is full of squalls.” f The Laird was. improving. 1 :i . : . , , This paragraph appears in the issue of the 4 9th December:—“The Government havbpurchased the brig Victoria, and was about immediately to be transferred to Auckland; and it was rumored that his Excellency, Captain Hobson, would soon after pay Port Nicholson a visit.” ■■■■■'' A summary of English news, published on the Hth November, gives an account of the attempt made by Edward Oxford to shoot Queen Victoria on the 10th June. He fired two pistol shots at a few yards’ distance, hut, as will he remembered; the Queen was not wounded. Another piece of news is this: “Preparations have begun to be made for. the; interesting event expected in November, and. tbe Queen is frequently visited by Sic James Clark and;Dr. Ferguson.” The 9th of November , Is qthe Prince of Wales' birthday. • The first vessel built in Port Nicholson was a small schooner called the Royal George, bailt by Mr. Wright. 1 She ’was to make her first trip to Taranaki.. The company’s ship Cuba was announced to sail [in November for Valparaiso and-London. “ This is an excellent opportunity, and we hope our merchants .will make some efforts to provide tlie first vessel despatched for England from Port Nicholson with a full cargo of oil and bone.”

’ Captain Nias seems to haVe been a- troublesome man. The Bay of Islands correspondent of the Sydncy ilortiiny Herald, in a, letter dated 11th March, says : “ A few days after-, words his Excellency proceeded to Hokiauga, accompanied by several of his suite and Captain Nias. Several circumstances occurred during theircrnise which immediatelyiffitated the irritable temperof the latter gentleman; he got wet, he fell from his horse, he got ’a’ cold, and was obliged to remain behind at- Mr; Taylor's, Waimate.” Again, “ Though his Excellency was lying in his cot with'his right arm powerless by his side, Captain 'Nias got into a furious passion, shoved his fist in his face, and threatened to give him the lie direct if he said he,did not co-operate with him, and that Us Excellency talked; of fighting' him across a pocket-handkerchief. > It has caused a sensation here, and I hear it is likely to form a court-martial”

In the latter part of ISIO the colonists feared a French invasion. In »an article headed “Convict Colonisation of New Zealand by France,” it is said an expedition had sailed from Boohfort for the purpose of forming a French colony in New Zealand, and sot only a French colony, but a penal'colony,' Their destination was supposed to be Banks Peninsula, where, it was alleged, a Captain Langloia was the proprietor of a considerable territory, purchased 1 from the natives. On the 31st October the, editor writes : “We are informed that the, French at Banks Peninsula are busily em-. ployed i patting in; crop ; that if cw Govemr ment allow them possession twenty thousand persons are to arrive there from Srance annually for five years, and that their port is to be free for 20 years.” On the 29th August a ship from Cloudy Bay reported the arrival at Banka Peninsula of a French frigate and two ships with three hundred emigrants from France. The invasion has not yet taken place. (To he Continued) ....