CHAPTER XXV.
In the early days of the goldfields, and in out-of-the-way places, if there were not two full-blown lawyers to be had, mining advocates (as they were termed) were allowed to appear and plead the cause of their clients. On one occasion a court was being presided over by the Commissioner, a rough and ready naval officer, who insisted upon deciding every case on equity principles, paying no attention whatever to legal quibbles (a rule that might be more applied in these days with advantage). Mr. Smiler, mining advocate, commenced quoting “Coke on Littleton,” probably to show his erudition, but was immediately silenced by the worthy Commissioner with “Coke upon Littleton be d———d,, what did he know about Warden’s Courts.”
5th February, 1867.—Returned from a trip to Foxes, now known as Brighton. Found people in a great state of excitement, news having been received that gold had been discovered in large quantities at the Haast River, situated 50 miles south of Hokitika. The s.s. Alhambra was put on the berth and soon filled. I made up my mind to go down and have a look at the place. A trip in a steamer such as the Alhambra was a treat to one like myself, who was accustomed to travel in small coasting steamers, over-crowded with passengers. One of my trips to Woodpecker Bay (Brighton) I shall never forget. Fancy a small steamer, 110 tons register, crowded to excess, with scarcely standing room on the deck. Safely over the bar, the purser commenced his pleasing duty of collecting the fares, which was done in this way:—All hands were called aft; the purser stood at the gangway, and as each one passed through, he had to pay his fare. Growls innumerable were to be heard on all sides. That, however, was of no avail. Many pleaded:poverty. In that case the police flag was hoisted on reaching the port of destination. By the time the police boat came alongside—oftentimes before—men who had refused to pay, or pleaded poverty, &c., found sufficient for their fares. On this very trip one man swore he hadn’t a shilling, would go to gaol, &c., but on the
