Page:Banking Under Difficulties- Or Life On The Goldfields Of Victoria, New South Wales And New Zealand (1888).pdf/145

CHAPTER XXII.

Warden Revell.—Drowning of Mr. Townsend (First Government Agent on the West Coast).—Particulars of the Early Days, by Mr. Revell.—Commissioner Sale.

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