Banking Under Difficulties/Chapter 22
CHAPTER XXII.
Mr. Revell (after whom Revell-street is named) was appointed agent for the Provincial Government of Canterbury at the West Coast on the 1st January, 1864, in the room of the late Charles Townsend, unfortunately drowned whilst attempting to cross the bar at the Grey on the 9th October, 1863. Mr. Townsend was the first Government agent on the West Coast, and arrived at Okitika on 27th May, 1863, per Crest of the Wave, crossing the bar in a whale boat, the following comprising the crew:—Peter Mitchelmore, Simon (Maori), and two sailors for boat’s crew; Buxton, captain of the schooner; steer oar, and Townsend. They left the boat at Okitika, and walked over to the Grey, arriving there on the afternoon of the 31st diem.
The following paragraph appears in Mr. Townsend’s diary under date October 7th, 1863:—
“This morning has been particularly fine and clear, and the sea very smooth for the coast, so much so that I comtemplate going to Okatiki for the boat, if I can get a crew together.” He started next morning in company with Peter Michelmore and others, and in crossing the Grey bar on the following day was drowned, Michelmore sharing the same fate. The bodies were recovered, buried on the north side of the Grey, on the 10th October, and removed by Revell and party on the 9th April, 1864, to the new cemetery at the south side of the river.
Previous to coming to the West Coast, Mr. Revell was Inspector of Police at Canterbury, stationed at Timaru. He received the offer of appointment as agent for the Provincial Government on the West Coast in November 1863, which he accepted; at the same time he received an appointment as justice of the peace. He was accompanied by his brother, J. C. Revell, who was appointed as his assistant. They left Lyttelton for the West Coast via Nelson, per s.s. Nelson, on 8th January, 1864.
The following information I obtained from Mr. Revell. The first lot of gold purchased by him was on the 27th January, 1864, from a man named Hughes, viz, 1 oz. 16 dwt. 1 gr., for which he paid £6 6s., being at the rate of £3 10s. per oz. He underwent some severe hardships. On one occasion it took him two hours to light a fire; on another, being footsore, his boots all in pieces, he strapped Maori shoes on for soles. Often he had to make a meal of Maori hen. On one trip, which lasted fourteen days, he was carrying 30lbs. of flour, besides blankets, tent gear, &c. On the 8th of April an old Maori chief died (by name Tarapui); he was a good friend to the “pakeha” (white man.) He would share his last morsel with him without payment, while others would refuse.
On the 9th of April the remains of C. Townsend and Peter Michelmore were removed by Revell and party to the new cemetery, and on the 11th Tarapui was buried in an old cave a short distance from the Maori encampment, together with his clothes, blankets, stick, and in short, everything he had in his possession. The first horses on the Grey were brought down by Simon the Maori on the 11th April, 1864.
On the 15th, Revell, Kennedy, and Hughes went to the Teremakau to disinter the remains of the late John Whitcombe, who was drowned in May 1863 whilst endeavouring to cross the Teremakau River in two small canoes tied together. They returned next day with his remains, which they interred in the cemetery at the Grey. The three graves are side by side. On the north side lies Whitcombe; in the centre Townsend, and on the south Mitchelmore. A monument has since been erected to their memory at Hokitika, the only one in that town.
On the 22nd May, Smart and French returned from a prospecting tour about the Teremakau and Hohuna Rivers, having found gold in payable quantities; A. Hunt, one of a party of four miners, having been at work there for some time and getting payable gold. On the 20th June he reported to John Revell that during the last two months he had obtained about 15 ozs. of gold, samples of which he showed him, some of the pieces weighing close upon 2 dwts. He applied for a prospecting claim, which was granted. He was the first person on the West Coast who found gold in payable quantities.
19th July.—W. H. Revell and J. Hammond (gaol messenger) started overland for Christchurch to report the discovery of a goldfield, and to obtain a supply of clothes, boots, &c.
21st July—A fire was observed burning on the north beach this afternoon. Six men en route for the diggings arrived under the leadership of John French, who reported the charter of the schooner Mary to bring Mr. Blake’s store from the Buller.
22nd July.—S.S. Nelson, of Nelson, arrived during the night, and entered the river this morning at twelve o’clock, it being then about three-quarters flood. Reuben Waite was a passenger by her. This was the first steamer that crossed the Grey bar.
29th July.—Mr. Rochfort returned to-day from a trip southward, having been as far as Jackson’s Bay. He left the Grey on the 2nd May.31st July.—About twenty diggers arrived at the Hohuna dissatisfied, trying to create disturbances, and threatening French with a razor.
9th August.—Accounts from the diggings very conflicting.
19th August.—W. H. Revell, Sergeant Broham, and Constable Cooper arrived at the Greenstone overland from Christchurch.
22nd August.—The three above-named arrived at the Grey.
23rd August.—Smart and French staying at depôt, waiting for the diggers to become a little pacified.
11th September.—The cutter Aquilla, 27 tons (J. Hauston master), from Invercargill, arrived at the Grey. Crossed the bar on the afternoon tide with eighteen miners, 10,000 feet of timber, and two tons of flour. The captain reports a barque and cutter for Jackson’s Bay, where they intend to remain during the summer months.
15th September.—The ferry started at the Paroa (Saltwater Creek).
8th October, 1864.—Two parties at work at the Freshwater Creek on the Grey side of the Paroa doing remarkably well; cleared out with 100 and 50 lbs. of gold respectively.
14th October.—Thomas Brennon, ferryman at the Paroa, drowned whilst trying to secure the ferry boat from the heavy seas that were rolling in; he was under the influence of liquor at the time.
Any account of the early days of the West Coast would be incomplete were the name of “Commissioner Sale” omitted. The following is from the Tomahawk of date 21st May, 1870:—
“George Samuel Sale is a native of Rugby, Yorkshire, a man of high classical attainments, and possessed the fullest confidence of the Canterbury Government at Christchurch, by whom he was employed.
“On the first rush, occasioned by the gold discovery on the western side of the ranges, Mr. Revell was appointed by the Government as their acknowledged representative; but as the rush set in to an extent never anticipated by them, to Hokitika—not of the mining population alone, but men of intelligence and wealth, of good business habits, and who had considerable experience of goldfield life in other parts of the colonies.
“These were also accompanied by their employés and craftsmen of almost every branch of mechanics; and to form this heterogeneous mass of people into an orderly and well-governed state of society, it was wisely deemed that a man of superior talents and high administrative qualifications was required; and for this purpose Mr. Sale was transferred from a lucrative post in the Treasury at Christchurch to Hokitika, with unlimited powers to deal with all judicial and financial questions, assisted (as he was ably) by the police to preserve the peace and good order of the district.“How well this was carried out in the face of insuperable difficulties none can judge but those who witnessed the extraordinary efforts made for that purpose (or, as it were, his inner life) in the organisation of every department for carrying on the government satisfactorily.
“Under the comprehensive title of ‘Commissioner’ he performed the various duties of a deputy-superintendent, treasurer, magistrate, warden, and a host of other duties that came in those rude times under his supervision.
“As a man of principle, he was firm and unyielding, whilst his integrity and honesty of purpose were unquestioned even by his bitterest foes. For who is there in such a position that could avoid making enemies, even whilst rendering strict justice; more especially by one who took a secret pleasure in defeating the machinations of those who sought to pervert its due course for their own selfish purposes.
“Ever ready to listen to the calls of humanity, every case of sickness caused by accident or temporary destitution was cared for; medical attendance provided, until a hospital could be erected, or a building, such as could be extemporised under great pressure for that purpose, in Revell-street, was prepared.
“So arduous were these duties, that from early morn to deepest night (except when on the bench) he was literally besieged by applicants for assistance or advice; ofttimes very wearying from the absurdity or ignorance displayed.
“A change in the Government of Canterbury brought about a still greater change in the financial affairs of Westland. Jealous of the rising importance of this district, they placed a check upon its rapid progress—hitherto the Commissioner had full powers not only to subsidise many improvements made by the inhabitants for the advancement of the town, but of forming streets, erecting public buildings, making a wharf, protecting the river banks, &c.; but this was all suddenly suspended.
“All money received as revenue was ordered to be paid into the Bank of New Zealand to the credit of the East Canterbury Government; all public works were countermanded until the plans, with the accompanying details, were submitted for its approval; nor were any bills to be paid until authorised by its vouchers. Thus the whole course of public improvements (so much needed in a young community) became paralyzed, and prevented for a time the completion of work already far advanced.
“One circumstance alone will prove the vast amount of damage to the town by this ill-advised restriction placed on the public purse. The inroads of the Hokitika River below the wharf had become very serious; several acres of the north bank, betwixt the wharf and the sea, had been swept away, which so alarmed the merchants of south Revell-street that they subscribed a large sum of money to continue the river protection westward. A sum from the general revenue was also promised by Mr. Sale to assist in carrying out this necessary work; but he was informed by Mr. Red Tape of Christchurch that if he expended any money on that work he would be held accountable for the same—or, in other words, it would be deducted from his salary.
“What was the result? Nearly a thousand pounds’ worth of this partly-finished protective work was swept away by the floods, and properties of some of our wealthiest merchants (to the extent of many thousands) were washed into the surf; and the river now runs triumphantly over the place where not only costly buildings once stood, but the happy homes of many industrious families.
“Now, although the suspension of this work had caused such irreparable damage, and the blame was attributed to him alone, he shrunk not from the censure, but endured all the sarcasm and contumely then unjustly showered upon him; nor was it till long after that the whole truth was told; that he had been the constant (though often unavailing) advocate of Westland’s rights, whilst we were under the domination of Christchurch.
“After much agitation, a change was wrought in Westland’s favour. Two gentlemen were permitted to represent her wants and wishes in the Provincial Council, and afterwards three more were added to the number; but these were often powerless for good, being out-voted by superior numbers—but, after a gallant struggle, they retired from the unequal contest.
“The continual sense of wrong under which Westland had so long laboured found a vent in an attempt to gain separation from Canterbury. Several fruitless meetings were held, until at last about a dozen patriotic men were elected, and went to work in right earnest, and got up such a bill of indictment—or, rather, a full statement of Westland’s grievances—as was never before witnessed in the southern hemisphere.
“Its effects were electrical. Thousands of names were attached to the monster petition, and despatched to Mr. Stafford, then Chief Secretary at Wellington, and to the Hon. John Hall, his colleague, and to the energy of these two, Westland is indebted for her severance from a cruel stepmother, and for giving her a simple form of local government. During all this time Mr. Sale administered the affairs of the district unswervingly, and although during the latter portion of this time Mr. Bonar was nominally the head as Goldfields’ Secretary, and during his year of office as County Chairman, Mr. Sale as County Secretary was the mainspring of the Government machinery, for all business of importance was referred to him, and without his advice nothing was done.
“He continued to hold office until the Amended Act came into operation; when, by some oversight of the authors of the bill, the post of County Secretary was omitted. He was by this time better appreciated, and being invited to stand as a candidate for a seat in the new County Council for the Borough of Hokitika he consented, and was accordingly elected.
“Unfortunately for us—his constituents—business of importance called him to England, and we have now to deplore his loss, for a man of more business capabilities, purer disinterestedness, or sterner integrity never trod the shores of Westland.”
