PRE-SETTLEMENT DAYS.
JOHN WASHBURN HUNTER.
Written for the Otago Daily Times. By Murray G. Thomson.
A very early settler who made himself a useful and important personage in the early days at the whaling station, Otago Heads, before the settlement of Dunedin, was John Washburn Hunter. He was a native of Boston, Massachusetts. His parents were well-to-do Quakers of that city, and were engaged in the shipping trade. Young Hunter, taking to the sea, got through his navigation course early, and for a time he served as petty officer on board the United State frigate Brandywine, while engaged upon a diplomatic cruise in the Mediterranean. In after years in New Zealand Hunter was very fond of talking over his experiences and telling of the different places he called at during what was to him a most interesting voyage. After leaving the navy he joined the mercantile service, where he remained for a few years, and then went into the whaling industry, joining up as first mate in the vessel Julia Ann in 1841, when she was being fitted out by a wealthy Quaker of Boston to go on a whaling cruise to the Southern Ocean. They had a fairly successful time among the sperm whales, after which, in 1842, the Julia Ann made for Otago Harbour to have an overhaul and to take in fresh water and any other necessaries that might be obtained. One day Hunter with a small party went ashore on a pig hunting expedition for the purpose of getting a supply of fresh pork, and, when he was amongst the pigs, his gun exploded, blowing away the third and fourth fingers of his right hand and a small part of the palm of his hand. The wound proved to be serious, and, as the Julia Ann was just on the point of sailing, it was agreed that Hunter should be left behind, and he received his discharge in the usual way. He was taken in hand by Dr Crocome, from Waikouaiti, through whose skill, helped by his own strong will, Hunter was in a few months quite well again, and except that his hand was maimed.
By this time Hunter had become used to the people and the life. He made up his mind to settle, and, buying a good whaleboat from one of the ships and securing a Maori crew, he was able to take part in the catching of whales, which at that time were plentiful on the Otago coast. He also began piloting work, for which he was well adapted. In those days the Otago Harbour was a regular port of call for whalers. .As many as 11 were known to be in the harbour at one time, and, as there was always a sand bar at the entrance of the harbour, it required an experienced seaman to bring in vessels. This being before the days of tugs, all vessels had to be brought in under sail. There were no official pilots, but the work was very satisfactorily done by Richard Driver (who had been at work very early), James Fowler, and John Washburn Hunter; and, when Driver was absent in America for about two years, most of the work was done by Hunter and Fowler. It was Fowler who piloted in and out the Hobart Town brig Highlander in 1846 when the crew ransacked and did a lot of damage to the settlement in their endeavours to find a whale line that was said to have been stolen out of one of the boats. The loss of this line, the second that had gone astray, so enraged the captain that he went ashore with all hands except the second mate. Hunter and a man named Roebuck, who were on board at the time doing business with the captain, were compelled to remain there until the return of the boats. They were practically prisoners for there were no boats and no other way of getting on shore. In the morning, when the raiders returned laden with spoil, the captain ordered Hunter to get the brig underway and take her out of the harbour. Hunter refused, however, saying it was not his job as James Fowler had brought her in, the rule being that whoever brought in a vessel should take her out again at a fee of £5 in and £5 out. The captain was very angry with Hunter, and threatened to shoot him. Fortunately, James Fowler, who had not heard anything of the night’s proceedings, came alongside, and so saved Hunter any more trouble, or, as the mate remarked, “Just saved your head, old man.” There were no regulations as to who should do piloting in of vessels. The first man to reach the ship got the job to pilot in and out, and many a good race resulted between the rival crews — a race which would sometimes last every foot of the way. Driver at that time lived at Whareakake, now better known as Murdering Beach, and had his lookout at Pilot Point and Purekurehu Point. Hunter and Fowler were at the Kaik side of the harbour, where there was always a lookout ready to give the signal when a ship or whale hove in sight. This lasted until Driver was appointed official pilot for the Qtago Harbour about 1847, when Hunter gave up the work and took to cattle raising. He was very popular with the Maoris, who dubbed him “Kai papa” because of his big appetite. Being liberal and hospitable he soon made friends with the Natives. He was very handy with tools, and could make anything from an axe handle to a boat. He used to assist at the cooperage connected with the tryworks, putting together the barrels for holding the whale oil. The writer has several times seen him making up buckets and tubs out of the staves of discarded, barrels. He had a full set of cooper’s implements, including a cooper’s anvil, which is still preserved on the writer’s property at Murdering Beach. He was also a very good agent between the captains of vessels and the Maoris when the former were bargaining for potatoes, pork, or other commodities. In 1862 Hunter married the widow of William Coleman, who was passenger by the Magnet in 1840, and the first purchaser of land at Murdering Beach. Coleman was accidentally drowned at the Otago Heads in 1860. It was in 1862 that the writer first became acquainted with Hunter. My father had leased from the Maoris the old farm at the Kaik known as Kelvin Grove, made and owned by a Mr A. Anderson some time in the forties. On the death of my mother, which happened just about the time Hunter went to live at Murdering Beach, Hunter offered to relieve my father of one of his boys for a time. Being the oldest I was chosen to live with Mr and Mrs Hunter for a few months. My stay lasted from early in 1863 until December of 1865. Mrs Hunter was a quiet, kind little woman, whereas Hunter was a regular rough old sea dog. Everything had to be done shipshape, as he called it, and at once, a splendid training for a boy, and I soon fell into his ways, and we got along very well together. I say together, for, with the exception of an occasional runaway sailor who would stay with him until his ship sailed, we did all the work at the little farm at Murdering Beach. Murdering Beach was a most isolated place, the whole district being just one great forest that reached right across from Port Chalmers to Purakanui. The only roads were Maori tracks. The cattle, some 70 or 80 head, were allowed to roam at will through the bush, and when wanted had to be searched for. Hunter, though a was a splendid man with cattle, and could roar like a bull when the occasion required. He was gentle with all animals, especially when breaking in a young cow after she had been brought in from the bush with a calf and was as wild as a tiger. In those days, when there were no wharves or docking accommodation, ships lay in the stream, and it was no uncommon thing for sailors to run away. Hunter frequently had calls from these runaways, and he knew how to handle them. One afternoon Mrs Hunter, from the front of the house, noticed what she thought was a line of Maoris coming over Pilot Point. Putting the glass on them Hunter saw that they were not Maoris but sailors. He watched them come over the flat towards the house where we stood watching them. When they were about 60 yards from the house Hunter called out in a loud voice; “Stop there. Put down your bundles, and one of you come up.” They evidently recognised the voice of command, for they did as they were directed. A tall dark man came up, and stood a few feet in front of Hunter and answered all questions put to him. Then we learned they had deserted their ship Viola the day before, and had spent the night in the bush without food, but with a plentiful supply of tobacco. They were very tired and hungry, and were very pleased when Hunter told them that in the meantime they might take possession of a nearby fowlhouse that had just been built. Hunter then asked that two of the handiest of the party should be sent up to him, and these he supplied with a large three-legged iron pot, two buckets of potatoes, and a large piece of corned beef which had been cooked for dinner and another raw piece. It had been Mrs Hunter’s baking day, and she gave them nearly all the bread that she had baked, as well as plenty of butter and a bucket of milk. After tea he called them out, and told them that after breakfast they would have to clear out, and advised them that if they wanted to keep clear of the police to get back to the harbour side, but lower down, and there get some of the fishermen to put them across to the Portobello side. By so doing he said, they would stand a chance of getting jobs from the settlers, and also put the police off their tracks. In 1880 the Hunters sold the farm, but continued to live at Murdering Beach until Mrs Hunter passed away in February, 1886, 69 years of age. Hunter died in Dunedin on May 7, 1889, at the age of 84. Though rough in some ways he was kind and considerate, and to the last delighted to talk over his boyhood days amongst the Quakers in America, and over his many experiences during, his 20 years amongst the Maoris at the Kaik, Otago Heads.
At that time Otago harbor was a regular place of call for the South Sea whaling vessels. They put in for their supplies of fresh water, potatoes, and pork, as well as for effecting any repairs that might be needed. It is stated that at one time eleven vessels, all whalers, were lying at anchor in the harbor at one time. John Hunter, Richard Driver, and James Fowler were the pilots, and in the absence of regulations the first boat to reach an approaching vessel got the job of piloting her in. For this service L5 in and L5 out were given. Many a smart race was the result. Besides piloting the vessels Mr J. Hunter undertook to supply them with potatoes and pigs. He was always on good terms with the Maoris through invariably acting honestly with them, and had no difficulty in purchasing what supplies he needed from them. On obtaining an order from a captain of a ship for so many tons of potatoes, to be on the beach the next day, Hunter told the Maoris what was wanted, and next morning the Natives would be seen carrying the prescribed quantity in kits and depositing them on the shore in rows. If payment was to be made in tobacco, Hunter walked between the rows and placed a plug of tobacco on each kit. The Natives then followed, and took the plugs from the kits, and the sale and payment were completed. The kits then might be taken on board the vessel. Pigs were obtained something after the same fashion, the payment being probably varied by giving blankets or sugar instead of tobacco.
UNPLEASANT VISITORS.
An incident illustrative of lawlessness in the Australasian colonies took place about this time. The brig Highlander, from Hobart, paid a visit to Port Chalmers harbor. She was manned by a daring reckless crew of released convicts; the only untainted man being one of the mates. By their disorderly rowdyism they kept the whole place in confusion. Luckily their stay was short. The day prior to her sailing the captain went ashore and bought a few articles, one of them being a stove. J. Hunter, who sold it, and on whose authority this narrative is given, was to receive payment in goods, and for this purpose went on board the vessel in the afternoon. Most of the crew were then on shore drinking in a grog-shop kept by one Mrs Anderson. When they went to their boat to go on board they found the bow-line had been taken away, and this they reported to the captain on their reaching the vessel. Flushed with drink, they armed themselves, manned the boats, and, with the exception of the second mate, the only respectable man on board, they pulled direct for the shore, leaving Mr Hunter behind, a prisoner. It was then dark, and Hunter became uneasy, for shortly he saw a house on fire, and then heard the yelp of a valuable dog belonging to himself which he had left on the chain. The night being still, he distinctly heard the noise made by people shouting, and the commotion lasted until daylight, when the boats returned. Standing at the side of the vessel, Hunter saw one man clamber on board with a fine double-barrelled fowling-piece in his hand, which he knew to be his property; and another adorned in a jacket that he had left locked up in a leather trunk, while everyone had something which evidently had been stolen. Hunter was on good terms with the captain, and he therefore complained, and the captain ordered his property to be restored to him; but at the same time commanded him to get the vessel under way and take her outside the Heads. Hunter demurred to this, as, according to rule, the job belonged to another pilot, who had brought her in. But he was told he must do it, or they would shoot him. As it happened, however, James Fowler, who had engaged to pilot her out, arrived on board, not having heard of the night’s proceedings. “This saves your head, old man," said the first mate to Hunter. On arriving on shore he found matters in a very had state, The ruffians had visited every house in search of the stolen bow-line, and going up to the doors cried out: “Open your door, or down comes your house.” The house where the door was not opened was set fire to and burned to the ground. They attacked Harwood’s store, and rolling out a barrel of rum they knocked in the head, and drank the liquor out of the heels of their boots. They shot Hunter’s dog, smashed everything in the house, and completely destroyed a new whale-boat that was in a shed at the back of the house, besides doing other wanton mischief.
A GOOD ALL-BOUND MAN.
Mr Hunter was a model colonist — a really good all-round man. If a job at carpentering or coopering was needed, he could do both; or if boots required mending he could do that. If fish were wanted, he had a boat always ready; if a man died and a coffin was needed, he could make one; and in the absence of a clergyman he could reverentially read the funeral service at the grave. -Evening Star, 25/10/1884.
Mrs J. W. Hunter, of Murdering Beach, near Pourakanui, who died last week, arrived at Waikouaiti in March, 1840, by the barque Margaret, from Sydney, and with her first husband, William Coleman. The last 30 years of her life was spent on her farm at Murdering Beach. She was a native of Hastings (England), was 69 years of age, and leaves no family. She was a great friend of the Maoris of the district. -Evening Star, 8/2/1886.
PUBLIC NOTICE.
I HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that I will not he responsible for any DEBTS contracted in my name by my WIFE, and I hereby caution all tradespeople from giving her any credit.
JOHN W. HUNTER, Murdering Beach, Purakanui. October 31,1887. -Otago Daily Times, 1/11/1887.
Wife Desertion.
John Washburn Hunter was charged with deserting his wife Mary Anne Hunter. Mr Sim appeared for informant; Mr McKeay for defendant. — From the evidence of informant it appeared that the parties, who are a very elderly couple, lived at Murdering Beach, Purakanui, and were married only last year. They lived together for three months, when defendant became a little queer in his head and had to go to the Hospital for a month, while informant went and stayed with some friends. On leaving the Hospital defendant went back to his house, and subsequently told informant that he could not keep her. — Mr McKeay said that the case was a peculiar one, the parties having in July last committed an act of sublime folly by marrying — the informant being then sixty-three years of age and the defendant close on eighty. Defendant had no means of supporting informant unless she lived with him, for his income amounted to only Ll6 per annum. He was perfectly willing that his wife should go back and live with him. — The Bench said it was not a case for punishment, and the parties had better make up their minds to live together. The case would be dismissed. -Evening Star, 9/2/1889.
Death
Hunter. — On the 7th inst., at Dunedin, John Washburn Hunter (late of Murdering Beach); aged 84 years. -Evening Star, 8/5/1889.
One of the oldest residents of Otago has passed away in the person of Mr John Washburn Hunter, whose funeral took place this afternoon at the new cemetery, Port Chalmers. The late Mr Hunter arrived at this port in a German barque whaling vessel in 1842, and meeting with an accident by a gun explosion he was left behind, and remained at Otago Heads until 1862, during which time he acted as pilot, in conjunction with Richard Driver and James Fowler, and in the same year he married his late wife, then a Mrs Coleman, of Murdering Beach, where he has resided to within a fortnight of his death, which took place in Dunedin on the 7th inst. Deceased, who was a native of Boston, and was in his eighty-fourth year, was very hospitable, and will be missed by a large number who frequently went on a day's outing to the Heads. The Rev. W. M. Grant officiated at the grave. -Evening Star, 9/5/1889.
Death.
Hunter. — On the 7th inst., at Dunedin, John Washburn Hunter (late of Murdering Beach); aged 84 years. -Evening Star, 8/5/1889.
John Hunter died at the Benevolent Institution in Dunedin.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE Friends of the late John Washburn Hunter are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave the south end of George street, Port Chalmers, TO-MORROW (Thursday), at 2 o'clock p.m., for the new Cemetery.
A. S. WYNN, Undertaker, St. Andrew street, Dunedin. -Evening Star, 8/5/1889.
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