IN BYGONE DAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10230, 8 January 1927, Page 10

IN BYGONE DAYS.

PROSPECTING ON HEN AND CHICKEN CROUP.

life midst gulls and

LIZARDS

NARROW ESCAPE FROM WATERY GRAVE.

(By JOSEPH E. DALTON, of Tclaga Bay.)

Just before returning to the Coast I was sent by an Auckland syndicate to report on a supposed copper mine on one of the smaller of the Hen and Chicken group of -islands some miles off Whangarei. .1 was given two experienced miners to assist me. We left Auckland by one of the small coastal steamers and were landed safely on the islands with what I supposed would be ample provisions. Luckily 1 had insisted on taking a small boat with me, the wisdom of which was afterwards proved. The island on which we landed, the one according to the glowing reports circulated in Auckland on which the copper was to be, found in unlimited quantities, was anything but a picnic ground. It was simply a small island rising abruptly from' the sea, with almost perpendicular cliffs all round it. There was only .one landing place, and that only workable when the sea and weathers were favorable.

TUTARA AS BEDMATE. _ ; After being left by the steamer wc proceeded to explore the island and decide upon a place to pitch our camp, climbing over boulders and dodgiim the seas as they broke at the base of the cliffs. _ We at last spied a break, down which trickled small stream of water. Taking advantage of the rough nature of the break wo succeeded in reaching a small partially level spot on the top where we pitched our tent and made camp. By the time we had made ourselves somewhat 1 comfortable flic 'sun had set, so, having tea, we turned in and discussed the programme for -the morrow. That first night was. I think, the most wretched 1 have over spent. Just as the file had burned low, and drowsiness had overcome us, we were startled by toe most weird and melancholy erics J have ever heard. “YVhat on earth was that?’’ we cried, each looking at the ether for an explanation. . Lo, the cry was repeated, and its weird refrain repeated from all parts or the island. Then we understood, anti knew it was the cry of the houi.ng nulls returning from the sea. Sleep was impossible, as no sooner cad the noise lie down than it was again taken tip by some belated bird notifying its return and by a cliscoiclant screech which would be at once icpeated by hundreds of its companions. And so the time passed until far into the early hours, when we dozed off, but for how long I cannot sav, only to be awakened by an unearthly yell from one of my companions whß, in his fright, came into collision with the tent pole, nearly knocking the whole concern down. Almost ' startled out of my wits, 1 yelled out:. “Wliat’s up!” baths the matter?” “Strike a light. “Strike a light quick, there is some d_ j animal in my bunk” was the replv Light was quickly obtained, and; on pulling the blankets over, sure enough there was a tuatara (lizard) about eighteen inches in length quietly staring at us with a cold stony" <mze. No more sleep for me that night! Although the tuatara is' absolutely harmless, it is not a pleasant bedfellow. Our mate tohl me that he had fallen asleep when lie was suddenly awakened by feeling something moving in his bed. luttincr his hand down-he felt an object which lie described as being unearthlv cold and clammy, which so startled him that in his fright lie leaped out of bed and endeavored to rus.i out of the tent.

A WILD CAT FLUTTER. At daylight we were up and examined the "round surrounding the camp, which we found to he perforated with holes. On examining these and digging some, we found them to be the homes of the tuatara and in many instances of the kuia (black petrel), as we found several pi pi kuias (petrel chicks) in the holes with the tuatara. One thing 1 noticed particularly was that, if haltconsumed leaves of the kawakawa shrub were strewn in front of a hole it contained a tuatara. Next- day we removed camp to a part or the island which was tree from these holes, and we were not the subject of a visit from our coldblooded neighbors. Soon we became accustomed to the weird noises, and could obtain the necessary amount of sleep, so we started to the spot indicated to us as the mine; but, atter a fortnight’s diligent search, "vve failed to' locate it, and my mates came to the same conclusion as myself viz., that it was still another “wild cat flutter”, then so common in Auckland. We thoroughly prospected every part oi the island hut railed to obtain anything more than the faintest'copper smudge or stain. Using the boat, we prospected the otliof the group, but saw nothing of interest, with the exception that we came on the spot where a young girl was buried in 1868 fiom the ship King of Italy on her voyage from England to Auckland, and which I recognised as the place after 4 ; 0 years. Needless to say, I cleared the spot of scrub, but saw no 'sign of copper

ROUGH TRIP TO MAINLAND. Having spent over a month on the island and our provisions running very short, we endeavored to attract the attention of passing vessels. We were some distance off the track and, day after day, we tided with smoke* signals and also with the fly of our tent, but no notice was taken of us. We were properly marooned. Our flour and biscuits being all consumed, we had to go in for a fish diet, but that was not always procurable, so I determined to run across to the mainland at Whangarei if possible. 1 was a good hand in a boat, and my East Coast whaling experience had added a lot to my proficiency. My companions knew nothing, of a boat or how to handle one, hut they weic game and 'willing to trust themselves to my guidance rather than starve. So, picking out as ,1 thought a favorable day with a light wind from the, S.E., we up sail and started. Everything went. well until we got well clear" of the islands, when, the wind increased and came up a regular southerly snorter, which increased rapidly into a gale. We were in for it and my companions soon felt the effects and held their heads over the sides with anything hut happy looks on their faces. I was carrying far too much sail and the little boat v r as simply racing and taking much more Water over her than I thought conduced to her safety.

“KEEP HER DRY!” What could I do? I had the main halyard also the sheet, and, I could not leave the tiller, whilst my mates could not steer, but they could hail. Elven to get them to do that it took all my powers of eloquence to persuade, them that, if they did not clear, the boat of water, we would scon lie paying “Davy Jones” a permanent visit. At last, I raised them to a-sense of our danger, and I must sfpy they worked manfully. Fortunately we had two prospecting dishes

with us, and, by keeping my mates constantly busy, it relieved the boat, also their minds. Well, we were in for it properly and there was nothing but to keep as we were going, and so we ran on, my heart in my mouth, expecting every minute some part cf the gear would carry ..away. All I could do was to yell at my mates and watch my frail craft. And yell I did, iind so kept them at it. They told me afterwards that I was a lot worse than acl d nigger driver, but they kept the boat afloat. How I watched the entrance to The Heads. I had to humor my little boat as one would a humorous child, but she was good and responded to my slightest touch, and on we rushed;. The entrance at fast! “Keep her dry boys!” “Keep her dry!” “Five minutes more and we are safe!” They worked like Trojans and no one was more surprised than they when they found we had entered the Heads and were in smooth water. I had not allowed them time to look up—fearing they might become disheartened.

HIGHLAND HOSPITALITY. But everything must have an ending, and hero we were, I must confess much to my surprise, safe in shelter. Telling my mates to take things quietly, we ran up the harbor for about a mile, when they suggested wc should go ashore and light a fire to dry ourselves before going on to the township. Nothing loth, as ,T was very tired; and cramped, having had to hold on to the sheet the whole run, I steered for a beautiful little bay on the north side of the harbor. Letting go the halyards I told, the boys to take the sail down, but, pull as they would, they could not get it to come down. The line was found in the masthead. Surely Providence had been good to us! If I had known the sail was jammed I don’t think I would have had .the courage and presence of mind to have stuck to tile lielrn as I did. When starting our fire we noticed someone coining down the hill towards us. On seeing our plight, and on our telling him from where we had come, he said: “If I had not been watching you from the hill, I would not believe you, as I did not think any boat could live through a gale like this.” He turned out to be a Scotchman and a Highlander at that, and it was he that showed me what Highland hospitality really was. Carrying some of our gear, he said: “Follow me and come lip to the house, and we will see what they can do for you there.” Arriving there, the first thing lie administered to me was a bountiful dose of “Heather Dew,” after which we were taken in hand by the good lady and her two buxom daughters, who vied with each other to make us welcome. And it was a welcome; nothing was a trouble! The best the house contained was provided; in fact, everything that they could think of was done for our comfort. On our hinting that we intended going on to the township, we were at once told that we would not be allowed outside the door until the following morning. On looking round "the place the old man mentioned his want of a tank. On the following morning, .breakfast was prepared early and the whole family came down to the beach to wish us goodbve. I often think of their great kindness, more pleasant because it was so unexpected.

On booking our passages to Auckland by the s.s. Wellington, Captain Haultain would not at first believe us when we told him that we had run over from The Chickens during the _mle. “Nonsense,” he said. - T and those three scows (pointing to the scows in the channel) were-hung up; we could not face it. When I explained how we were caught, he said, “Well you are more than lucky to be here now.” . Some years afterwards I happened to be in Whangarei when I was asked if I was the mail who made the voyage often spoken of by the settlers at The Heads Taking our boat with us on the Wellington, we arrived safely m Auckland. I delivered my report which quickly consigned another addition to the scrap heap of the “wild cat” schemes at that time floating on t,iC Auckland' mining market. I was pleased on ‘The following morning when my mates came to me and asked me to assist them in procuring a tank for our Highland host, whicn we did and forwarded it by the return steamer.

MAORIS AS FARMERS. On any returning to the Coast 1 found that- a scheme had been introduced among the Natives under tne name of Ahualni Whenna (working the land), in other words incorporation. Many of the leases held hv Europeans that were falling in about that time, and the knowing ones amomr the Maoris, so as to prevent the land reverting back, inaugurated this scheme, with also an eye to their own aggrandisement. Meetings were held alf over the country, and the owners were persuaded, in glowing terms, that, by incorporating these lands, they would receive substantial profits winch hitherto had gone into the pockets of their European tenants. This needless, I think, to remark as to the success or otherwise cf the scheme, One has only to travel the Coast to at once recognise the lands under Native management and those worked by Europeans. A few. hut a very few, Natives have, i believe, benefited by this Ahuahu Whenua scheme, hut the real owners of the land certainly have not. The same might be said of the “Maori soldiers fund.” A very large amount of money was subscribed by the Natives and their friends for the purpose of benefiting those of the men who were fortunate enough to return to their homes. The question naturally arises as to who of these returned men have received any benefit ? and echo alone answers “Who?” (To be Continued.)

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