Captain Robert Scollay: Shetlander, seafarer, sawmiller, builder of boats and houses, oysterman, tin miner.
Robert, at age 26, was an officer on an immigrant ship making passage to Australia in 1859 when he bacame acquainted with one Colonel Cornelius Reed - or, more importantly, with his youngest daughter, with whom he fell in love. The couple were married after arrival in Melbourne and, in 1861, they came to Stewart Island with a complete sawmill, ready to set up and begin to cut.
For Robert, however, there was little appeal in life on the land. He saw much more opportunity on the sea.
Shipping Notices
FOR HAVELOCK AND TARANAKI.
The fine new schooner YANUTHA, Scollay, Master,
Having the greater portion of her Cargo engaged, will Sail on
THURSDAY NEXT.
For freight or passage, apply to H. HOUGHTON and CO., Agents, Stafford steet. Otago Daily Times, 13/7/1864.
Wreck of the Schooner Yanutha. — The schooner Yanutha, 30 tons, Scollay, master, from Dunedin, came on shore yesterday morning, at seven o'clock. The weather changed on Thursday, with indications of a northerly blow; but the vessels in the roadstead held on until daylight yesterday morning, when the Zephyr, Storm Bird, and Yanutha, got underweigh, a strong N. breeze having set in. The two first named got clear off, but the Yanutha parted her cable in weighing, and, in trying to beat out, missed stays three times, and consequently came on shore just beyond the mouth of the Huatoki, and in an hour or two became a total wreck, the vessel being very flimsily put together. The cargo, consisting principally of measurement goods, consigned to Mr. Sharland and to Mr. McKechney, floated ashore. The wreck was completely broken up before the tide left it. Captain Scollay was, we believe, sole owner, and, as his vessel was only partially insured, he loses nearly his all. — Taranaki Herald, August 6. -Nelson Examiner, 11/8/1864.
Shipping Intelligence
Wreck of the Yanutha. — To the Editor of the Taranaki Herald,—
Sir, — Before quitting New Plymouth I should wish to correct an error which appears in your account of the wreck of the schooner Yanutha, it being stated that it occurred when a strong N. breeze was blowing in whereas the wind was from W. to N.W., which is the worst that can happen to vessels anchored in the roads. I have also to remark on your statement of my vessel having been “very flimsily put together” as if to account for her going to pieces. The schooner came ashore on a reef, some of the rocks standing four feet above the level of the sand, and though she was well and faithfully built, she was not capable of holding together over these rocks through a heavy surf. Requesting the favour of your inserting this in your next issue.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Robt. Scollay, late master of the sehooner Yanutha. New Plymouth, 9th August 1864.
[Having made further inquiry we find we must adhere to our statement that the wind was from N., and as regards the construction of the vessel all who saw the wreck will bear us out in our remark.—Ed., T.H.] -New Zealander, 18/8/1864.
PORT OF INVERCARGILL.
Arrived. March 27 — Lerwick, 14 tons, Scollay, from Stewart's Island, with fish. -Southland Times, 30/3/1868.
NOTICE
is hereby given, that in compliance with "The Oyster Fisheries Act, Amendment Act, 1869," I have lodged with the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the province of Southland, an application for the issue to me of an exclusive license for the use of an oyster bed at Stewart's Island, the situation and description of which is as follows: — Commencing at a point between the mouth of Murray River and Garden Point, and extending to a point opposite Christmas Village, being about two miles and a half long by one half mile wide.
ROBERT SCOLLAY.
Witness to the signature of Robert Scollay — Peter McEwan, Invercargill. -Southland Times, 25/10/1869.
PORT OF BLUFF HARBOR.
ARRIVED. July 30 — Airedale, s.s., 286 tons, Kennedy, from Dunedin and Northern ports. T. Brodrick, agent.
July 30 — Lerwick, cutter, 15 tons, Scollay, from Stewart's Island, with oysters. -Southland Times, 28/1/1870.
From the end of 1872, Captain Robert was sailing the Margaret Scollay (20 tons) - named after his wife, or daughter (b. 1864) or possibly both. He carried grain around the south coast to Bluff for shipment to Melbourne as well as oysters from Stewart Island. He ranged as far as Oamaru, also calling at Moeraki, Allday Bay and Kakanui, on the thriving coastal trade, which was the result of a growing rural economy, the Otago gold rush, and shipping being cheaper than using what roads were available. The coastal shipping trade was progressively ended by the coming of the railway. While it flourished, however, it is possible that Robert Scollay had a little sideline going on...
WHOLESALE SMUGGLING AT STEWART'S ISLAND.
A correspondent, signing himself "Whale Oil," writes as follows to the "Southland News": — "Since the time that the notorious Captain McGrath landed from the whaling brig Grecian on Stewart's Island a quantity of spirits and tobacco, with a view to defrauding the Customs, nothing in this particular line has been brought to light until yesterday, when it was discovered that a gigantic case of smuggling had been perpetrated at Port William, Stewart's Island. As a wellconceived and dexterously carried out scheme it equals anything in fiction. It will be remembered that the whaling barque Matilda Sears, an American vessel, has during the past three months frequently put into Port William — sometimes to cut in a whale, at others, stress of weather was alleged as the cause. The barque is about 300 tons register, carries an immense spread of sail, has very fine lines, with good hold of the water, and consequently she works to windward like a shot. She is altogether a superior vessel to those generally employed in whaling. On the first visit to Port William she remained about fourteen days. During this time her captain (who, by the way, was first lieutenant of the Confederate cruiser Shenandoah) made himself very agreeable to the residents there, and especially oystering cutters. To secure their esteem and future service he made them presents of fancy tobacco in tin foil, and slop clothing, such as is generally to be found in a whaler's outfit. The next move was to inquire if there was any Customs officer on the island, and when informed that there was not even a policeman, nor in fact a Government official of any description, he did not disguise his astonishment. This smart American seems to have immediately discerned the facilities such a circumstance opened for doing a stroke with the mainland by the aid of the oyster cutters, and at once set about putting the idea into operation. After, therefore, supplying the local demand with such articles as his ship contained, he employed the Flying Scud, cutter, to take some iron-work to the Bluff for repairs, and post letters, some of which were, singular to say, addressed to the Bluff, Toi Tois, Riverton, and Orepuki. This would seem to indicate that it was not the first visit of the ex Confederate officer to this part of New Zealand. However, nothing more was thought about it. When the cutter returned be informed her captain that the barque would sail next morning for the West Cape, where there were several vessels cruising. Daylight the following morning brought with it a heavy gale from the west-north-west. The American, however, true to his promise of the previous night, and greatly to the astonishment of the oyster men and others, was observed getting under weigh. Opinions were freely expressed to the effect that he would soon discover that, beating through the Straits in the teeth of such a gale, even with a favorable tide, was a feat the barque (althongh a smart vessel) was not competent to perform. Her anchor now tripped from the bottom, she stood out to westward under single-reefed sails. Two or three tacks brought her to open water, where she felt the full force of the gale which made her careen over until her lee rail was almost under water. Rising she shot up into the wind, and down came her topsail yards and another reef was taken in. Shortly after a thick squall past over, during which she was lost to the view, nor was she again seen for fourteen days, when she turned up in Port William with a sperm whale taken near Solander's Island. After the usual process of cutting in, trying out, and stowing the oil, a little relaxation was necessary. The Jamaica (rum) was sent forward, while the captain was doing the honors to the crew of two oyster cutters (the Flying Scud and Lerwick) which happened to be alongside. All on board the barque were merry that night. On the following morning a French Canadian residing on shore, who had not yet submitted to American soft sawder — Jamaica and tobacco — observed the cutter Lerwick standing out to sea, apparently bound to the Bluff. The Frenchman did not give a second thought to that, but he did feel curious on the subject of the cutter being so deep. "What had she got, and how had she got it? Nevare mind, I shall vait and vatch," said he to himself. The barque sailed the following day. When the cutter returned for a load of timber for the emigration barracks, the Frenchman asked the skipper what made the cutter so deep on her last trip to the Bluff. A growl about "minding his own business" was the only response. This was a further confirmation of the Frenchman's idea, that there was something wrong. He, therefore, determined to keep a good look out if the barque returned again, which she did after an absence of sixteen days. The success of the captain's last trip seemed to have overcome his prudence, and, by the aid of the Frenchman (who has just come over), nearly the whole plant has been discovered. It appears that during the barque's stay at Port William this time, the cutter Flying Scud arrived at the Bluff from thence. According to her manifest she had on board what was supposed to be a ton and a half of whale oil in casks. Shortly after the cutter Nightingale arrived and discharged a number of casks that appeared to contain whale oil. The Margaret Scollay took a similar lot to Riverton, supposed to have been brought from Paihis The Lerwick — instead of going, as it was supposed when seen that morning by the Frenchman, to the Bluff — went to the Toi Tois, and there discharged her cargo, of which there is not a trace to be found. The contents of these three cargoes, to say nothing of the Lerwick's, viz, that of the Flying Scud and Nightingale to the Bluff, and the Margaret Scollay to Riverton, could not be less than 10,650 gallons. This, at 12s 6d per gallon duty, would give £832 10s, half of which sum, assuming the above to be correct, is due to the officer making the seizure. The contents of the whole of the casks landed at the Bluff and Riverton have been carefully examined, and found to be pure and unadulterated. (This account does not state of what the seizure consisted, but we have reason to believe it comprised brandy and whisky.) -Wellington Independant, 23/5/1873.
STEWART'S ISLAND.
(From a correspondent.)
Mr R. Scollay has lately discoverd a new oyster bed, situated between Bench Island and Fish Rock, nearly opposite Halfmoon Bay, Stewart's Island. The oysters are very fine, and equal in flavor to any from the old beds. The depth of water is from 25 to 30 fathoms, being deeper, by some fathoms, than the oyster beds now worked. I am given to understand that this is the third bed which Mr Scollay has opened up during the last four years, and as soon as one is found, the other oyster-men flock to it to reap their share of the harvest. This, of course, no one can prevent, but it is poor encouragement to a man to go prospecting if he is not allowed some little protection or advantage, as the discoverer of the new bed. There is one thing I should like to draw the attention of the Government to, that is, the necessity of at once appointing a thoroughly practical man at Stewart's Island, to act as Inspector of Fisheries. The reason that this is necessary is, that many of the oyster-men, after having dredged for a few hours and having accumulated some bushels of sand and dirt on their vessel's deck, shovel it over the side, on to the oyster-bed. In that part of the bed the oysters are thus covered over, and in many cases thousands of the oysters, being open and feeding, are of course choked by the dirt getting inside of the shell, so that they are unable to close again. This should not be allowed, and the masters of the various crafts should be compelled to carry the sand or dirt which they may fish up from the bottom to a little distance from the oyster-bed, before putting it overboard. By doing this the oyster-beds would be protected, and the oyster-men themselves would benefit by adopting this suggestion. An inspector, being resident on the Island, would be able to prevent the dredging for oysters out of season, and otherwise protect the natural oysterbeds, and look after the other fishing interests as well. No doubt a competent man, living on the Island, could be obtained for a mere nominal sum per annum, as his time would not be fully occupied, and he would be able to employ himself profitably otherwise. -Southland Times, 4/7/1873.
SHIPPING.
PORT CHALMERS.
The cutter Margaret Scollay arrived from Moeraki on Saturday morning, with a full cargo of wool, flour, and building stone. The wool was transhipped to the ship Christian McAusland, and the flour landed at the Port. The stone is for delivery at Dunedin. -Otago Daily Times, 9/2/1874.
NOTICE.
UNDER the provisions of Clause VIII. of the "Oyster Fisheries Act, 1866," I hereby give notice that the Flying Scud and Lerwick, cutters, intend to dredge for and take oysters from the natural oyster bed (Scollay's find) situated at Stewart's Island, for the purpose of replenishing my artificial bed at Port Chalmers.
WILLIAM INNESS. Port Chalmers, 7th March, 1874. -Southland Times, 13/4/1874.
Notes of the LUNA Trip (excerpt)
HALF-MOON BAY.
In the last-named place there are some German settlers, and some Orkney and Shetland men. There the settlement has had a start. You see the cows wandering about, and the small garden patch in a better state of cultivation; and the Orkney and Shetlanders have cutters, from 5 tons to 20, with which the oystering is done, and the season's sealing is prosecuted. These cutters give, I heard, fair returns for the outlay. Their building is, however, none of the strongest; the nails fastening the boards, instead of having a head made over the rivet, being in some instances only doubled. Good knees are plentiful, however, and these are held with long iron wood "travels." When the settlers get more capital, they will provide themselves with more substantial cutters. At present the cost is heavy, a good new cutter costing the purchaser about £200. One Shetlander from Yell has been resident at Half Moon for some years, and he has built cutters and schooners, and is still engaged in ship building. The Margaret Scollay was built by him. He is noted as a pushing, daring settler, and has done well. Others are following in his footsteps, and Stewart's Island may hereafter be looked upon as the Northern Islands have been regarded in Britain — as a nursery for seamen. And if ever New Zealand rises to any maritime position, Stewart's Island will rise in importance, for here is splendid ship-building timber and young seamen, and splendid harbours. What would not Taranaki, or Oamaru, or Timaru give for Port William. It would be cheap at two millions. -Otago Daily Times, 28/2/1874.
A Ramble on Stewart's Island
by Rambler (excerpt)
The day following the wind was a little better, although far from a fair one, but we were enabled, in nautical parlance, to make "a long leg and a short one," and after calling into Halfmoon Bay for our letters and papers, we reached Port William late in the evening. Early on a Friday morning, the cutter Lerwick called in at Port William, to take me across to the Bluff; and after a very long passage of 15 hours, I arrived at midnight, the flood tide having driven us as far east as Ruapuke, Scollay blaming his bad luck to the old-fashioned nautical superstition of a "parson being on board." Next day I reached town, safe and sound, much pleased with my ramble on "Pearson's Paradise." -Southland Times, 26/8/1874.
A VISIT TO STEWART'S ISLAND (excerpt)
OYSTERING. The Flying Scud is the only oyster craft which makes Port William its head quarters. The other crafts make Half-Moon Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and the Neck, their rendezvous at nights. There were eight crafts oystering this season. The bed lies about two miles off Half-Moon Bay, and runs east and west for a distance of two and a half miles, being about one mile in breadth. The bed is considered to be pretty thick, and with tide and wind favorable, a cutter with three men has taken as many as 500 dozen in a day, which, at 5d. a dozen the price obtained at the Bluff, should prove pretty profitable; but, as a rule, 250 dozen is considered a fair day’s work. Great care must be taken to keep on the bed, as, if once off it, the dredges are apt to catch on the rocks and be lost. There are only two Maori families settled at Port Adventure, the closing of the oyster beds having compelled the most of the old settlers to leave. The beds are closed for two years, and we saw an ominous notice stuck on the side of a house, signed by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, cautioning anyone, under the penalty of £20, not to take oysters. So far as I could judge, it would take nearer twenty years for the beds to recover themselves, as they seem to have been very severely worked. As the story goes, the worthy Commissioner and Protector of Oyster Beds, at a recent visit to Oyster Cove, along with some Dunedin gentlemen, picked up an oyster, and with mouth watering and eyes dazzling, returned the favorite “mollusc” to its native bed, exclaiming, with a feeling of pride, “I love thee, I love thee, but duty forbids me!” Such an instance of self-denial, especially by a Government officer, is worthy of being placed on record in the “blue books" but, as a friend remarked to me the other day, when relating this little anecdote, in the one case “there was somebody looking,” in ours there was nobody, and we accordingly broke the law to the extent of a dozen or two. At low water the oysters can be pulled off the rocks, and we unanimously remarked that such delicious bivalves we never tasted before; in fact we almost regretted tasting them, as on our return to Port William we would feel dissatisfied with the ordinary deep sea oyster.
TIMBER-CUTTING. Half-Moon Bay is a very pretty place, and is the most populous part of the Island, having a population of about 130 souls, one settler, Scollay, contributing ten as his proportion. A sawmill, belonging to Messrs. J. Stock and Co., is situated at the head of the bay, the workmen at which (ten in number), along with their wives and children, make a small township of themselves. In comparison with the large sawmills on the mainland, this appears a very primitive erection, and being worked by a breast water-wheel, it does not present the same activity to the eye which steam power does. However, at the time of my visit water was short, and the power was only sufficient to work one saw at a time. One vessel, the Harriet Armitage, was being loaded for Dunedin with 180,000 ft.; but as the timber has to be punted from the shore to the vessel, delay sometimes occurs if bad weather sets in, which causes a very heavy roll in the bay. However, for average cutting all the year round, I was informed that 12,000 ft. a week could be depended on, which, for a mill of this description, is not so bad. A number of settlers reside round the Bay, among others the Messrs. Laneker, German farmers, who have a nice rustic place, and about six acres under crop, which, after taking into consideration the fact that it is bush-cleared land, speaks volumes for their industry. I saw hazel nuts here, which to my eyes were quite refreshing, not having seen any since leaving Scotland. Scollay is another industrious settler here, and while disengaged oystering, employs his time on shore in improving his property and shipbuilding. In addition to the Lerwick and Margaret Scollay, built by him, he has now the keel of a large fore-and-aft schooner laid. In Paterson’s Inlet we dropped anchor off Cooper’s Island, the residence of Mr. C. Traill, where we were hospitably entertained. In one respect this island is peculiarly unfavorable; not a blade of grass will grow upon it, which, to the proprietor, is very disheartening. Shipbuilding to a small extent has been earned on here, the favorite cutter, Rosa having been built here by Messrs. Easson and Wilson. Between the head of the Inlet and Mason’s Bay there is some open land, where Messrs. Baird and Scott, are going to place some sheep, and I trust it may prove profitable. -NZ Times, 2/9/1874.
PORT OF BLUFF HARBOR.
July 15. The cutter Lerwick went ashore here last night on the rocks below Captain Gilroy's house. The particulars, as far as we can gather, are as follows: — The Lerwick is owned ly Mr Robert Scollay, of Stewart's Island, and was built by that gentleman on the Island for the oyster trade, in which she was engaged. During the present oyster season the cutter has been in charge of Mr Sambrook, who, with two other men, has been plying between the Island and the Bluff with oysters. They left here yesterday afternoon for Port William, but owing to the heavy sea running in the Straits, they came to an anchor at the lower anchorage, off the Pilot station. Sambrook came ashore to transact some business he had forgotten before leaving, and did not go aboard again last night. During the night the chain fast to the anchor which was down, parted, and the cutter began drifting towards the shore. Unfortunately, the chain, which ought to have been fast to the other anchor, ready to let go in a case of emergency, was unshackled, and Lowe (one of the men on board), when he saw the vessel going on the rocks, thoughtlessly lowered the second anchor from the cathead without any chain attached to it. The consequence was that the cutter grounded on the rocks, and in the heavy break soon became a total wreck. Mr Smith and the pilot crew were called out, but too late to be of any service in saving the vessel. They succeeded, however, in saving a portion of the stores from on board. Besides the loss of the vessel, which will be a serious blow to Mr Scollay when the news reaches him — as she was entirely uninsured — stores to the ralue of about £130 will also be lost, the greater portion of which belongs to Mr Stephen Bowers and Mr McKenzie, both settlers on Stewart's Island. -Southland Times, 16/7/1875.
Campbelltown. — We are glad to learn that the greater part of the stores belonging to Mrs Bowers and Mr McKenzie have been washed ashore from the Lerwick, and a portion only being perishable, the balance will be turned to account. Mr McLawrin, of Stewart's Island, storekeeper, is still short the greater portion of his stores. Sambrook and the men belonging to the cutter have used their best endeavors to save as much as possible, and are heavy losers themselves. They anticipate, however, being able to recover most of the gear belonging to the cutter. On Mr Scollay the loss will fall very heavily. He has during the past oyster season, been busily engaged in building a schooner which is now in a considerable stage of forwardness, and whilst working ashore himself the Lerwick was the only means of his livelihood. Her loss will doubtless cause him to relinquish his present employment, and throw him considerably behind. This is the more to be regretted, when it is considered that the vessel which he is now building is the third he has built, unaided, on Stewart's Island. -Southland Times, 19/7/1875.
By the arrival of the Nighingale from Stewart's island we learn that Mr Scollay was successful in launching his schooner, the Jane Scollay, on Monday last. -Southland Times, 6/3/1876.
PORT OF BLUFF HARBOR.
ARRIVED. April 27— Jane Scollay. Schooner, 60 tons, Scollay, from Stewart's Island, in ballast. Thursday.
Mr Robert Scollay's new vessel, the Jane Scollay, arrived here Thursday evening from Stewart's Island, this being her maiden trip across the Straits. She is a homely-looking schooner of about 55 tons register, and has been built by Mr. R. Scollay and his son, a young lad, at Half-Moon Bay, Stewart's Island. The schooner measures 61 feet keel by 18 feet beam, with a hold of 8 feet deep. The keel was laid on the 6th April, 1875, and for some time Mr Scollay was compelled, in order to provide for his family, to engage in other occupations, and only to go on with the building when windbound on the Island. Ultimately however Mr Scollay placed his other vessel (the Lerwick) in the oyster trade, whilst he and his son pushed on vigorously with the building of the schooner. It will be remembered that the Lerwick was wrecked here during the last oyster season, and thus proved a serious loss to her owner. Mr Scollay however was not to be daunted, and although under renewed difficulties, still pursued the building of the schooner. We are glad to see that his perseverance has at last been rewarded, and that without further mishap he has been able to bring the vessel safely into the market. When it is considered that the builder is what is generally termed self-taught, and that on Stewart's Island it was necessary for him to be his own blacksmith and sailmaker, besides having to get all the crooks, &c, necessary for building out of the bush, his only assistant being his son, too much cannot be said in praise of the energy, industry, and perseverance displayed, and it is to be hoped that the craft will now prove so remunerative as to recompense him for the time occupied. It is worthy of note that this is the third vessel Mr Scollay his built on the Island. -Southland Times, 28/4/1876.
Shipping Intelligence
Port of Oamaru
The fore and aft schooner Jane Scollay arrived in the Bay from Stewart's Island, at 3.30 p.m. yesterday, with a cargo of 32,600 feet of timber, consigned to Messrs. Hay and Barr. The Jane Scollay is a substantial looking craft of 60 tons register, comanded and owned by Captain Robert Scollay. She was built at Stewart's Island, and is a new vessel, this being only her second trip. Her frame is of ironwood, with pine planking, and kauri deck, and the vessel is evidently well suited for the coasting trade, combining as she does, large carrying capacity with great buoyancy, and very fair sailing power. Of the passage, Captain Scollay reported — "Left Stewart's Island on Sunday last, at 10 a.m., and experienced light north and North-east winds all the way up the coast." The schooner will load up with produce for the Bluff, as soon as she has discharged her timber. We are indebted to Captain Scollay for the information that the Port Chalmers whaling barque Chance was lying at Stewart's Island when the Jane Scollay sailed, having put in there to "try out" a sperm whale, captured off the Island, and expected to yield about 11 tuns of oil. The Captain of the Chance reported that he captured previously a smaller whale, but through some misfortune it got away. -North Otago Times, 13/7/1876.
The Jane Scollay's return freight from Oamaru was usually grain and "breadstuffs."
Shipping Intelligence
The Southland "Times" of the 31st ult. reports: — "The fore-and aft-sohooner Jane Scollay, Captain Scollay, commenced loading timber for Oamaru yesterday morning." -North Otago Times, 5/8/1876.
We are glad to learn that Captain Scollay, of the Jane Scollay, has just recovered from the severe attack of inflammation on the lungs, and it gives us pleasure to know that he is able to attend to his duties again. -Western Star, 13/1/1877.
Shipping Telegrams
The schooner Jane Scollay, timber laden, arrived from Riverton on Saturday evening, and passed on for Dunedin. She sailed on Thursday morniug; had light easterly weather until midnight, and then to arrival southerly winds. -Otago Daily Times, 22/1/1877.
Shipping
Port Chalmers
Exports
Per Jane Scollay, for Riverton: 148 bars iron, 25 packages, Edmonds and Co; lot gunpowder, Oliver aud Ulph; 30 packages, W Gregg and Co; 11 do, Matheson Bros; 3 do, P Anderson; 33 do, R R Wilson and Co. -Otago Daily Times, 27/2/1877.
The cutter Margaret Scollay, which has been detained in consequence of one of the dredges requiring some slight repairs, will proceed on her oyster cruise either to-night or to-morrow morning early. -Nelson Evening Mail, 21/3/1877.
The cutter Margaret Scollay sailed last evening in search of the much coveted mollusca. She proceeded in the direction of the Croixelles, from which place she will probably strike straight across to Separation Point. -Nelson Evening Mail, 22/3/1877.
Oyster Dredging
Captain George Scoones, of Dunedin, has set out on an oyster dredging expedition in the cutter Margaret Scollay. He has tried the head of Pelorus Sound and the Croixelles, but without success, and has since proceeded to prospect Blind Bay and Massacre Bay. -Globe, 26/3/1877.
Oyster Dredging.— The cutter Margaret Scollay, Captain Scoones, has returned to Nelson from an oyster cruise, after an absence of a fortnight. She first proceeded to the Croixelles, and after three days’ dredging there without obtaining anything, the vessel proceeded across to Separation Point, and every nook and corner from there to the Sandspit was dredged, but with the same luck as before. The Margaret Scollay then came along near the coast to Adele Island, where the dredges were once more dropped, and with better luck, for in two hauls over six dozen were obtained. From thence to the Moutere Bluffs nothing but mussels and mud were obtained. Captain Scoones reports the ground very hard in Massacre Bay, and innumerable beds of mussels there, some of them running for miles out to sea. The captain is confident there are plenty of oysters in Blind Bay, but on account of their being packed closely together they are impregnable, and nothing but a powerful dredge will lift them. -Globe, 11/4/1877.
Marlborough Oysters — The cutter Margaret Scollay returned to port this morning from an oyster cruise, after an absence of two months. Captain Scoones has again been unfortunate, not yet having been successful in obtaining any oysters. The whole of the Queen Charlotte Sound having been explored, as well as Port Underwood and Cloudy Bay, but with the same ill-luck. The cutter then proceeded across to Wellington to obtain afresh supply of meat, but in consequence of head winds was detained three weeks. The Sounds were again visited, and Captain Scoones determined to try the effect of a charge of dynamite, as he believes there are plenty of oysters there, but are so tightly fastened to the rock that it is impossible to get at them. Accordingly the fuse was lighted and let down to a depth of nine fathoms but it failed to go off in consequence of having the wrong fuse. As the provisions were running short the Margaret Scollay came on to Nelson. She will sail again this evening, as Captain Scoones is determined to give this side of the straits a fair trial before quitting it. — Mail, 9th. -Marlborough Express, 15/6/1877.
Oyster Fishing. —The cutter Margaret Scollay has again returned to Nelson from an oyster cruise. On this trip her operations have been confined to the Croixelles, where about two miles of ground was broken, and some oysters and gigantic horse mussels found, the latter preponderating. The number of oysters obtained (says the Mail) would hardly pay for working the ground, but Captain Scoones expects to meet with better luck on the next mile of ground he breaks. That there are oysters there there can be no doubt, several having been lifted up with the fluke of the anchor. In the event of not meeting with better luck on the next mile of ground, Captain Scoones is determined to try the Sounds again. -Globe, 2/7/1877.
Shipping Telegrams
The schooner Jane Scollay, from Riverton, and loaded with railway plant consigned to Mr Proudfoot, and 450 bags of oats to order, arrived at Rattray street Wharf yesterday forenoon. She sailed on Friday last, worked to the Nuggets by Sunday morning against a northerly breeze; was becalmed off the Nuggets that day, and pickng up a light westerly breeze at nightfall, fetched the Heads on Monday afternoon, anchored for the night, and ran up harbour yesterday. -Otago Daily Times, 8/8/1887.
IN BANKRUPTCY
No. 143.
In the matter of "The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1878," and of the Bankruptcy of Robert Scollay, of Stewart's Island, in the Provincial District of Otago, and Colony of New Zealand, Master Mariner, a Debtor.
THIS IS TO NOTIFY that at the First Meeting of the Creditors of the said Robert Scollay, held at the Supreme Court House at Dunedin on the 21st day of August; 1877; Keith Ramsay, Esquire, of Dunedin, Shipping Agent, was duly elected Creditors' Trustee for the Estate of the said Robert Scollay, and that he has in writing accepted the office of Trustee.
Dated at Dunedin, this 21st day of August, 1877.
COLIN McK. GORDON, Deputy Registrar.
W. H. McKEAY, Solicitor for the said Debtor. -Otago Daily Times, 22/8/1877.
Shipping Telegrams
A vessel derelict drifting about the harbour is something out of the common, and yet one answering to the above condition was observed yesterday morning, and picked up by a crew, but whether they will assume the prefix of prize remains to be seen. The schooner Jane Scollay is the vessel in question, and she had been at anchor off Deborah Bay since Friday last. Yesterday morning she was observed to be drifting up the harbour, and as no person was visible about her decks, Captain Hanning, of the ketch Huon Belle, with his men, proceeded to board her. They had some trouble at first, as a large dog was in possession of the schooner's deck, and bayed defiance to the strangers as they ranged alongside. However, they boarded her, and dropped the animal overboard, and then proceeded to secure the schooner. Ten fathoms of cable were out, and upon having it hauled in, a foul anchor appeared. By this time the schooner had drifted close up to the coal hulks off the Old Pier. There she was anchored, with fifteen fathoms on the windlass, and left to the care of Providence, not a living creature being on board her. -Otago Daily Times, 22/8/1877.
Captain Scollay, of the schooner Jane Scollay, requests us to correct a misstatement relative to the quantity of chain that was out when the schooner was pulled up on Monday. Instead of ten, there were thirty fathoms, but the chain had fouled the anchorstock at ten fathoms from the hause-pipe, and hence the mistake. That there was no one on board at the time, was because both himself and his men had to attend a meeting of his creditors at Dunedin. They supposed the schooner to be safely moored when they left her. She, however, swung foul when the tide turned. She was to have proceeded on her voyage yesterday, but at the last moment, when all was ready the mortgagee took possession, and the master and all hands went ashore. -Otago Daily Times, 23/8/1877.
SALES BY AUCTION
MONDAY, 3rd SEPTEMBER, At 12 o'clock.
Schooner JANE SCOLLAY, 50 Tons Register.
MACLEAN BROTHERS. are instructed to sell by auction, at their Rooms, Manse street, on the above date,
The Jane Scollay, 50 tons register, with all her appurtenances.
This schooner was built in 1878, at Stewart's Island, and is thoroughly well found.
May now be seen at Port Chalmers.
By order of the Mortgagees
MACLEAN BROTHERS, Auctioneers,
Dunedin and Balclutha. -Otago Daily Times, 27/8/1877.
The Jane Scollay was bought by her Captain, Scoones, and afterwards knew a varied range of ports and cargoes - fish, pigs, guano. She was offered for sale at various time between 1878 and 1880 and last appears in the newspapers as being in port at Dunedin in 1881.
GAZETTE IN BANKRUPTCY.
THE ‘EVENING STAR' is duly appointed Gazette for the publication of all notices under the Bankruptcy Act.
IN BANKRUPTCY. No. 143.
In the matter of “The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876,’’ and of the Bankruptcy of ROBERT SCOLLAY, of Stewart’s Island, New Zealand, master mariner, a debtor. IN PURSUANCE of the provisions of the above recited Act, a Meeting of the Creditors of the abovemamed Robert Scollay is hereby convened for the purpose of considering his intended application for an order of discharge. The said meeting is to be held at the Supreme Court-house, Dunedin, on Saturday, the second day of March, 1878, at 11 o’clock in the forenoon.
Dated at Dunedin this 26th day of February, 1878.
KEITH RAMSAY, Creditors’ Trustee.
W. H. McKeay, Solicitor for the said debtor. -Evening Star, 26/2/1878.
ACCIDENT AT STEWART'S ISLAND.
On Monday afternoon an accident of a somewhat serious character occurred to Mrs Scollay, wife of the master of the cutter Rimu. It appears that the injured woman in attempting to save her child from falling over a cliff some 30 feet high, in the vicinity of her residence, lost her balance, and both her and the child fell over and landed on the rocks and beach beneath. As no medical assistance was available the husband at once conveyed his wife and child to the Bluff in his cutter, arriving there at eight o'clock last night. Mr Hunter, station master at the Bluff, with commendable promptitude, at once despatched a train to Invercargill with the injured woman, and by the courtesy of the railway authorities here the train proceeded to the hospital platform, where the woman was removed with the least possible difficulty shortly before ten o'clock. On examination, Dr Button ascertained that the cap of the knee of one leg had been broken, and the other leg sprained, though the absolute extent of the injuries to these limbs cannot, in the present condition of the patient, be accurately ascertained. The child did not sustain any injuries and was removed to Mr Daniel's hotel. Considering the height which the woman and child are alleged to have fallen, the escape, of the latter and the slight injuries sustained by the former are somewhat remarkable. -Southland Times, 6/11/1878.
NOTES FROM STEWART ISLAND.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDANT.)
In Halfmoon Bay the nucleus of a small township has been formed. The various buildings are very much scattered — in fact, they are "few and far between." The most prominent are the school, store, and publichouse. In noticing these three, I may just remark that on entering the bay close to the beach, the school and store at first attract the visitor's attention then, on the right, placed on the high ground, the publichouse of Stewart Island takes the eye. It is noticeable on account of the ground around it being about the only spot under cultivation. At present the green patch looks very well, and the dark background of the forest sets it off in a very enticing manner. Here we have also what is an almost inseparable adjunct to a "pub" - viz, a constable - not one of those that we are familiar with in a town, one that is decked in blue cloth, with silver buttons, but a hard-working man, who does all that is required of him, which is happily very little.
The new year opened in a very unfortunate manner for one of the residents of our island. Mr Scollay, master and owner of the cutter Rimu, had two large and commodious houses built close to the beach, and in one of those he and his family resided. The other, a six-roomed house, well built and furnished was used for storing nets and other gear connected with the proprieter's calling. On the evening of the 31st December, Mr Scollay had a fire lit in one of the rooms for the purpose of melting lead. He left the room about 11 o'clock pm and went to bed in the adjoining house. In a short time he became aware of a fire being in close proximity to his dwelling, and on rushing out dicovered that the building he had lately left was in flames — that they had got such a hold as to render it impossible to save the building. The only thing to be done was to try and save the adjacent one, which, as it was only about two yards distant, was no easy matter, but I am happy to say that, incredible as it may seem, it was done, the house escaping with omly the gable a little scorched. Mr Scollay estimates his loss of gear, &c, at about £80. Then, of course, there is the value of the house as well. There is no doubt but that the fire originated from the fire in the room previously mentioned not being properly put out.
In the columns of your paper I often read of the larrikinism prevailing in towns and in up-country townships. One would think that here on Stewart Island one would be clear of it, but no. I am sorry to say that one of the residents in Half-moon Bay has cause lately to be aware that it has extended to this remote part of the globe. Mr Johin Bragg has a fine young bull which roams at large through the bush, occasionally coming home to see his owner. The animal paid one of his periodical visits lately, when it was found that he had been most maliciously speared in two places - first in one of the fore knees, and also on the hips. The bull, when discovered, was found to be in a most precarious condition. This dastardly act is put down to the credit of a very lively specimen of the larrikin tribe - a resident of Horseshoe Bay. It is much to be regretted that the evidence against him is of such a character that a charge would not stand in a court of justice. It is said this young specimen and a particular friend of his have been "playing up" nearer their own residences. One night the two thought that the scrub wanted burning, so they deliberately set fire to a quantity situated close to McCallum and Co.'s mill, and immediately behind the huts occupied by the men. The night was windy and the sparks flying about in all directions were the cause of a great deal of uneasiness to the contractors and the men, as the mill and huts were in imminent danger. It is pretty near time that a damper was put on this sort of work, as it endangers both life and property. -Southland Times, 9/2/1880.
Local Industried Report
Mr Scollay, Bluff, mentions that fourteen cutters are employed in the Stewart’s Island fishing trade. Owing to steam communication between the Bluff and Dunedin being less frequent and more uncertain lately, fish and oysters have to be sent by railway; but this mode of transit is very expensive, being at least three times the cost of carriage by sea, viz., fish and oysters per sack ls 6d by sea, 6s by rail. The effect of this charge is depressing to the fish trade, and unless it is remedied will operate against a large centre of population like Dunedin being supplied with fish, unless at rates so high as to limit materially the quantity consumed. -Evening Star, 18/8/1880.
Not the First in the Field.
TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Will you permit me to offer a few remarks in reference to an advertisement which appeared in your issue of 20th inst., wherein Suliman gives notice that he has applied for the exclusive right to oyster upon "A newly discovered oyster bed" off' Ruapuke. To Suliman the oyster bed described in the advertisement may be a new one, and as he has only been three or four years in the colony, he may never have heard that its existence was known at least 12 years ago, the fact is that 12 years ago I dredged upon the same bed in company with my son and pilot McDonald, both of whom can substantiate my Statement, and got as many as 800 dozen oysters in two drifts, and although I was quite aware of the fact that I was entitled to the exclusive right of dredging upon it, by virtue of my discovering it, I simply gave Mr Pearson notification of its existence and did not seek to monopolise the benefits. Now, sir, a stranger comes in, one who has no interest in the colony, and tries to shut out the numerous settlers at Stewart Island from one means of earning their livelihood. You are aware, sir, that the population of the place is mainly maintained by the oyster fisheries, and would it not be very unfair if any one individual was granted a monopoly of the best part of the dredging grounds? It would simply mean next door to starvation to the remainder, for although most of the oystermen prefer dredging close to their homes just now, the time is not far distant when it will be necessary to conserve the present beds, and then we shall be forced to go further afield to seek our livelihood; and if a monopoly is granted to anyone at present, even when there seems to be enough for all, I am sure the remainder will suffer in the future. As the matter is of public interest, I trust you will pardon me for bringing it forward and assist me in putting a stop to an attempt at monopoly. — I am, &c, Robert Scollay. -Southland Times, 30/7/1883.
That Oyster Bed.
TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Permit me to offer a few remarks upon Mr Scollay's letter on the newly discovered oyster bed, in your issue of 30th July. To Sulieman the bed is new, and to all the rest of the oystermen, but especially so to Mr Scollay. He says that he and Pilot McDonald dredged on Sulieman's find 12 years ago! Rather too rich that, Bob! I have asked Mr McDonald where that particular place is that was dredged upon, and he informs me it is between the North Island and Fife rocks — quite a different place from Sulieman's bed — and that Bob, I beg your pardon — Captain Scollay, was not in the vessel at all at the time. Captain Scollay says he was aware that he was entitled to an exclusive right, but would not seek to monopolise the benefits. Don't be so very plausible Bob. Surely you have not forgotten the occasion in 1869 when you tried very hard in Court for this very benefit, but did not succeed because you happened not to be the discoverer. Don't be hard on the stranger who has only been here about 14 years, and who, I should not be surprised to hear, has as good a stake in the country as most Stewart Islanders. I say, Bob, you don't know that that is the best part of the dredging grounds yet; you ought to go and try it before you write about it. I understand your partner tried to purchase, Sulieman's right to that particular bed, but was rather too late in the field! Don't be so greedy, Robert, and let the man have his rights, be he white or black, or even copper colored.— I am, &c,
Thomas Cross, Port William, Stewart Island. -Southland Times 21/8/1883.
An Oyster Bed Dispute.
The Commissioner of Crown Lands (W. H. Pearson, Esq.) held an enquiry yesterday, on the application of Sulieman, under the Fisheries Act for the exclusive right to take oysters from a certain bed (described) at Ruapuke.
Mr Finn appeared for the applicant who was too ill to be personally in attendance.
R. Scollay objected to the application being granted, on the ground that he (Scollay) had discovered this particular Bed 12 years ago. It would be unfair to give Sulieman the sole right to half the Straits when there were so many persons who depended upon the oystering for their living. He deposed that he had discovered oysters in this bed in 1870, and in the following year he had gone prospecting to see the extent of the bed, at which he was occupied for five days. Sulieman's application included part of that discovered by witness. The latter had not gone so far to the north however as did the former. He had once applied for protection under the Fisheries Act, but his application had been opposed and refused. He had discovered two or three beds for which he had never sought the protection provided by the Act. On several occasions since 1871 he had got oysters from this bed. He had been sent to oppose the application by several fishermen, and his only object was to prevent the monopoly by one man of what should be open to all.
Alfred Kihau deposed that he had seen Scollay in his cutter in Caroline Bay, Ruapuke, in 1871, and knew that he remained about the island for a week. Asked him what he was doing, and he said he came there for firewood and water. Did not know what he was doing all the time he was there. Believed that he (witness) and Sulieman were the first to discover the bed in question, about October last. They were on board the Annie, cutter, and had used the oyster dredge as an anchor, and on pulling it up got about 25 dozen oysters in it. He had been told before that, about eight years ago, that there was an oyster bed there, and he had seen oysters which had been taken from it.
John McDonald, pilot, also gave evidence. He had sailed in a cutter in 1873 with a man named Preece, when they discovered an oyster bed south of this one in dispute. He knew nothing about the bed applied for by Scollay, but it was a well-known fact that all the bottom under the lee of Stewart Island was more or less an oyster bed. The supply was inexhaustible; there were mines of wealth there in oysters. Preece had never told him that Scollay had discovered the bed in question.
Thomas Cross deposed that he had never heard of the discovery of the bed until Sulieman found it about December last. When Sulieman came into the Bluff at that time witness saw he had oysters and asked him where he had got them. Sulieman would not tell him, but witness ascertained from Kihau, who marked the spot in the chart. The place marked was that now applied for by Sulieman. Witness could not say when applicant would be well enough to attend the enquiry. His fits of illness sometimes lasted only a day or so, and sometimes for weeks.
The enquiry was adjourned till Wednesday ,the 31st inst, at noon on account of the applicant's indisposition. -Southland Times, 25/10/1883.
The Oyster Bed Dispute.
The enquiry into the application made by John Sulieman for the exclusive right to an oyster bed at Ruapuke, was continued before the Commissjoner of Crown Lands yesterday.
The objections to the application being granted had been lodged by R. Scollay and were read on the first day of the hearing. Mr Finn appeared for the applicant.
John Sulieman, the applicant, a Batavian, deposed that he had arrived in this country 14 years ago, having been a seaman on board the Hindoo, which was wrecked at the New River Heads. Since then he had been living about Stewart Island and the New River. All the time he was at Stewart Island he had been oystering. Was over at Ruapuke about the end of November last accompanied by Kihau, two other men, and a woman, in a boat, fishing. The wind failed them, and they threw out the dredge to keep the cutter from drifting. When they pulled it up they found in it twenty-five dozen of oysters. Told Williamson afterwards at the Bluff of the discovery. Never heard of oysters having been found there before. The area applied for was correctly marked on the chart produced. A man named Roger Owens had once told him that there were oysters at North Head, but no one had ever said to him that there were any at Bird Island, where he found them. On the occasion when he threw out the dredge as an anchor Kihau did not tell him to do so because he would get some oysters. Thomas Cross had not threatened to summons him if he did not come up to the enquiry. Cross had given him 2s some months ago, saying it was for a share in his (applicant's) claim.
A document was here produced by Mr Finn, bearing the signatures of the crews of ten cutters, stating that they had no objection to Sulieman obtaining the privilege he sought.
John Wesley, a Maori, said he had been oystering about Stewart Island since his youth. Some time in the year 1869, he was sailing in a cutter along with two men named Owens and McDougall, from Ruapuke to the Bluff, when they dropped a fishing line on the south-east side of Ruapuke. On drawing it up they found half a dozen oysters attached to it, the hook having caught in a weed that was growing on the top of the shells. That was at a spot outside the lines on the chart, which marked tbe area applied for by Sulieman. All the time he had been there he had never heard of oysters found on the north of the island up to the time of Sulieman's discovery. He had told Kihau that Owens and himself had found oysters south-east of the island. He was not aware that the Maoris had any objection to Sulieman's application being granted. Neither Owens, Kihau, nor McDougall had told him that Scollay had found oysters there.
This being all the evidence, the Commissioner said he would forward a written statement of the case and his opinion thereon to the Governor, and on receipt of his decision would immediately inform the parties of its nature. -Southland Times, 1/11/1883.
Shipping
The Lillie Denham foundered in the flshing-grounds of Stewart Island on Wednesday morning. Captain Scollay reports having left Half-moon Bay at half-past eight o'clock on Wednesday moming for the fishing-ground, where they engaged in fishing until 12.30 p.m., when the boy noticed water in the stokehole. On examination it was found thak the stokehole was full of water, and the fires going out, and it was evident the vessel had sprung a leak. Steam was at once got up to full pressure, and the vessel ran for Boat Harbor, Bunkers Island, distant about three miles from the fishing-ground. She had not steamed far before the water gained so much that steam was lost, and although all sail was made and the boat sent out ahead to tow, when about one mile and a-half from the island the flood tide caught her and drifted her about four miles off. All hands baled and pumped, but all was of no avail, and it was resolved to abandon her. This was done about four miles from land, and the steamer sank about ten minutes after being left. The crew succeeded in reaching Stewart Island by eight o'clock that night, and were conveyed to the Bluff on Friday in the cutter Rimu. From inquiries made there is reason to believe thai the vessel was insured for L1,000 with the National office, which was re-insured as follows:- L250 each in the Victoria, Union, and New Zealand offices. Lillie Denham was a wooden vessel of twenty-horse power. Her gross tonnage was 31 tons, and net 21 tons. She was built at Sydney in 1878, and was 60ft long, 13ft, 6in broad, and 6ft lin deep. She was a very handy little vessel, and was for some time employed as a tug at Port Chalmers. -Evening Star, 24/12/1883.
Bluff Harbor Board.
Tuesday, 9th Sept,
The monthly meeting was attended by Messrs J. G. Ward (chairman), Baldey, Willcocks, Kemp and Thompson. An application from Mr R. Scollay for the position of master of the Board's tug was held over. The Chairman read the clause of the Act referring to members of Harbor Boards becoming bankrupt, and in accordance with its terms declared Mr Cross's seat vacant. — A letter from Mr Cross, tendering his resignation, was therefore not considered. -Southland Times, 10/9/1884.
MARRIAGE.
MURDOCH—SCOLLAY — At the residence of Mrs Williamson, Campbelltown, on the 10th inst., by the Rev John Ferguson, David, eldest son of John Murdoch, Esq , to Agnes, fourth daughter of Captain R. Scollay, Half Moon Bay. -Southland Times, 12/8/1885.
Bluff Harbor Board
R. Scollay wrote declining to continue acting as agent for the tug at Half-moon Bay unless he were paid half a day's wages, 6s, per week. It was resolved that in future all freight to Stewart Island be prepaid. -Southland Times, 11/11/1885.
EXCURSION TO STEWART ISLAND.
One of the most pleasant excursions that has been offered the residents of Riverton and the Western District for a long time past, took place on New Year’s Day, when the Bluff Harbour Board’s steam tug Awarua did the trip from Riverton wharf to Halfmoon Bay and back. About 150 passengers availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting the Island — a number much smaller than was anticipated, and which but for the threatening appearance of the weather up till the previous evening would probably have been greatly augmented. Of the total number of passengers, not more than 30 or 40 were from Riverton, the great bulk hailing from the country districts, Nightcaps, Otautau and Thornbury being particularly well represented. Without doubt the convenience of the trip was more than ordinarily attractive to country residents, as the vessel did not start till after the arrival of the Nightcaps and Orepuki trains, and through the courtesy of the Railway Department the departure of the trains was delayed in the evening until the steamer arrived at the wharf — about 8.30, thus enabling passengers along the lines of railway to return home same evening. Under such circumstances, and considering that the fares were only 5s for the return trip, it is surprising that a much larger number did not avail themselves of the excursion. The trip was an experimental one, and while the promoters managed to clear expenses, the result is such as will not induce them to repeat the experiment. Fortunately the weather was all that could be desired, and the excursionists freely congratulated themselves on their good fortune; indeed, had the weather been made to order, it could not have been more propitious. A gentle breeze cooled the heat of the sun and gave a bracing relish to the easy motion of the vessel as she stemmed the swell in midstrait or glided over the ripple under the lee of the island. A few succumbed to mal de mer, and a greater number admitted feeling “just a little bit squeamish,” but the majority remained unaffected and unmercifully chaffed their less fortunate fellow passengers. However, as soon as the smooth water in the vicinity of the Island was reached, all regained their good spirits, and were enabled to enjoy the run along the coast to Halfmoon Bay. The Rev. Beecher is credited with saying that the first hour some people were on board a vessel they were in terror lest it should go down, and the next lest it wouldn’t. Whether any of the passengers on this occasion were imbued with a similar feeling, did not transpire, but if at any time during the trip they harbored such a sentiment they must quickly, under the genial surroundings, have repined thereof. The arrival of the steamer the previous evening under the charge of Capt. Tall caused quite an excitement, augmented by the arrival at the same time of the Owake Belle, from Dunedin. The appearance of the two vessels coming up the harbor together was suggestive of a return of the former prosperity of the shipping trade of the port. The steamer anchored a short distance off the new wharf, to which she made fast early next morning. She is an excellent sea-boat, and could give comfortable accommodation to double the number that patronised the trip. Ample seating accommodation was provided, and at the after part of the vessel a capacious awning was spread, affording protection from wind, sun or rain, as occasion requires. Unfortunately the efforts to obtain the services of a band were not successful, which detracted considerably from the enjoyment of the trip. The only music on board was a “string band of one instrument,” to wit a violin, to the music of which many tripped the “light fantastic” right merrily on the return home. The vessel crossed the bar on the outward passage about 9.30, but before leaving the wharf the large crowd that had assembled gave a parting cheer as she left the wharf. A course was then steered for Murray Beach, at the Saddle, and from thence the vessel steamed along the coast near enough to obtain a beautiful view of the wooded heights clothed from base to summit with dense bush. Port William was the first harbor entered. All the evidence of habitation that met the eye on the shores of this magnificent land-locked sheet of water — capable of accommodating a fleet of men-of-war - was the abandoned buildings erected by Government, we were informed as a fishcuring establishment. Apparently not a soul inhabited the place at the time of the visit, but it is a favorite fishing ground and its shelter is frequently sought by vessels caught in a gale in the straits. After steaming round the harbor, a course was steered for Horseshoe Bay, another very pretty landlocked harbor. There are a few inhabitants settled at this place, which is only about three or four miles distant overland from Halfmoon Bay. After circumnavigating this bay, a short sail brought the vessel to anchor at the wharf in Halfmoon Bay, the principal settlement in the island. Here the passengers were allowed an hour and a half’s run on shore. Some explored the township, others preferred an onslaught on the finny tribe with the harbor abounds. An unfortunate accident happened here that might have resulted fatally but for the plucky conduct of the mate of the whaling barque Splendid, which was lying at anchor in the bay. In attempting to step from the wharf to the narrow gangway, a passenger slipped and fell into the water between the wharf and the steamer. In an instant the mate of the whaler, first divesting himself of his coat, sprang into the water and seized hold of the drowning man. A rope was quickly lowered from the steamer, and the man secured. Both men were afterwards picked up by a boat that went to the rescue, neither of them being the worse for their ducking. There is a sawmill at this place, which employs a considerable number of hands, and a number of cottages are picturesquely scattered over the head of the inlet. The most prominent object is a large building erected by Mr Scollay as a boarding establishment, and those who wish to spend a week or two at the Island, will find excellent accommodation at this house. There is a Government school, and at the time of the visit Mr Gammell had just completed the annual examination thereof. But time would not permit of a very extensive examination of the surroundings, and the shrill scream of the steamer’s whistle warned stragglers that the hour of departure had arrived. The vessel started on the return trip about 4p.m. On account of the distance and because of the fact that the tide had to be studied in returning to Riverton, the most pleasant portion of the trip had to be forgone — that up Patterson’s Inlet. The distance from Riverton jetty to Halfmoon bay is 35 miles, which was increased by the detours into Port William and Horseshoe Bay. Five hours were spent on the outward trip, or an average speed of about 8 miles an hour — the steamer’s capacity under ordinary circumstances. On coming out of Halfmoon Bay a direct course was steered for Riverton, arriving in the Bay shortly before 8 p.m., where a slight delay took place as the tide had not made sufficiently to enable the vessel to cross the bar. As there was a danger of the up-country passengers losing the train, however Capt. Tyson, under the direction of Capt. Tall, put the steamer to it. There being no sea on, she crawled over the worst places into deep water and safely landed her passengers on the new wharf, which was crowded with spectators waiting the arrival of the steamer. Just before the passengers landed, the Mayor (Mr G. Robertson) called for three cheers for Capt. Tyson, which were heartily responded to. The pleasure of the trip was greatly enhanced by Capt. Tyson’s courteous attention to the comfort of the passengers. He possesses the happy quality of placing his passengers completely at ease, and of imparting all sorts of information regarding the route of the trip and nautical matters generally. Thus ended one of the most pleasant trips that could be undertaken — an opinion endorsed by even those who suffered from sickness. The return trip was even more pleasant than the outward one, the wind and sea having if anything abated. A magnificent view of the mainland and Strait islands — including Centre Island in southwest to Ruapuke in north-east, and the mainland from Bluff to Sand Hill Point, the western extremity of Tewaewae Bay — was obtained, in all their variegated gorgeousness of coloring imparted by the setting sun. After discharging her passengers, the Awarua proceeded to the Bluff, where she arrived about midnight, having, the Captain said, performed the best day’s work she has yet done since coming into the hands of the Board. We should have mentioned that refreshments of all kinds were obtainable on board, supplied by Mr D. McLeod, of the Marine Hotel. -Western Star, 6/1/1886.
With the Tug in a Gale.
(By Supple-Jack,)
Last Wednesday morning I embarked on the Awarua for the trip to Stewart Island. The day broke serenely and to a landsman's eye gave good promise of fine weather, The practised mariner, however, could discern signs of a coming storm, and the "glass" was ominously low. "I am thinking of sailing to the lighthouse this morning, captain; what do you advise?" said a lighthouse keeper who had come from Dog Island a day or two before in his little skiff. "I would advise you not to try it," replied the harbourmaster, to whom the question had been put; "there will be a very heavy sea on before long." So the man resolved to get the services of the tug to take off him and his boat. About nine, getting on cargo was finished and the passengers, a goodly number in all, got on board. Seamanship was well represented in the presence of five "jolly skippers" and scholastic knowledge may be inferred from the presence of at least four dominies. I vouch for four, but there may have been more, for when travelling in holiday season you may be sure that members of the teaching profession form a fair proportion of the company. Nor was the clerical element wanting, for a parson accompanied the crew. Then there were the sawmillers, the oyster dredgers, the hotelkeepers, and the ubiquitous life insurance agent. Half a dozen ladies and double that number of children completed the list of passengers and, as the last came on board, "Let go," shouted the skipper, and round came the tug like a locomotive on its turntable and began to paddle down the bay, past the lightship, past the Point, and down towards the red buoy at the lower harbour. "Why don't you take a beeline for Dog Island?" said a tall dominie on the steering deck to the man at the wheel, "instead of making the roundabout." "There's a big sandbank in the way," replied the steerer. "Do you never go over it?" continued the tall one. "Sometimes, when the tide is high and the water smooth." "Have any accidents happened there?" went on the questioner. "Yes, a schooner went over the bank one night, and in the morning was found bottom upwards, all hands lost." "Had they anchored there?" "It's not known; they may have done; or they may have been capsized by one of those great rollers that you see at low water; no one lived to tell the tale." We were now abreast of the lighthouse, and the cry of "Man overboard" caused a rush to the side. It was only the lighthousekeeper getting over the side into his little boat. He was then towed into a favourable position, while he got his mast up and sail ready. "Let go the painter," shouted Captain Tyson at the top of his voice, for the wind was now whistling loud, and the little skiff bounded off through the white tipped rollers. "Isn't the man in danger," said a nervous passenger. "Not at all," was the assuring reply, "he's in his element, and as safe as a duck in a pond." And seemingly be was for, after a few minutes dodging among the waves, the boat ran on to a little sandy spot, and the man leaped on shore safe and sound. The tug was now feeling the breeze and beginning to "rock in the cradle of the deep," but in a way by no means calculated to induce sleep. "How's her head Dan?" called out a would-be funny man near the bow to a young fellow who had just relieved the helmsman. "How's yours?" re-joined Dan, as, bringing the boat up sharply into a big roller, he caused the funny man to be drenched with a shower of spray. Soon, however, everyone had the pleasure of experiencing to a greater or less extent the effects of a salt water shower bath, for the wind piped louder and louder and the waves grew bigger and bigger. There was not sufficient space now on the lee side for the number desirous of peering closely into the deep. Not a few who had been boasting what good sailors they were joined the ranks of peerers. One young man with a big moustache, which he was for ever stroking, had sailed in many parts of the world, had been in all kinds of crafts, and had been knocked about in white squall, hurricane, and typhoon. He was not likely, he said, to feel any unpleasantness. But after a while even this world-rover put on a look of resignation and began to gaze down on Foveaux Strait as he had never gazed on it before. The insurance agent had told me he loved "a life on the ocean wave," and I was more than ever impressed with the truth of his statement as I saw him bending over the side of the vessel in open-mouthed admiration. The tall dominie was the last to succumb. "I don't see why anyone should be ashamed of mal de mer" said he, as he moved to a vacant place at the bulwarks. "Great men of all times have given in to it," he continued, as he moved to the middle of the deck to help a brother ped in keeping off the spray from children lying there partly covered by a tarpaulin. "Horace refers to it; Virgil, it is well known, had his death hastened by a stormy yoyage; and Cicero, you know, couldn't bear up against it, and made the boatmen put him on shore though his enemies were there on the watch. He lost his head soon after landing. Jactatio navis was what he couldn't endure," and the speaker "jactatived" again to the rail, and remained for a few minutes bowing reverentially and pondering upon the fate of poor Cicero. "I wish the skipper would take us to leeward of those Islands," said Dan as the tug approached the islets that lie opposite Horseshoe Bay, "we'd have a few minutes of smoother water, and our hair would have a chance of taking firm root again." Whether in compliance with the young man's request or for some other reason, to the lee of them the tug went and there was a temporary lull; but the spray still fell over the deck copiously, and "oilskins" were in great demand. Not a sea though was shipped, the little boat riding the waves like a gull. There was much discomfort from the gale howling in the ears, and from the wetness of everything; but all felt there was perfect safety, and all were pleased the efforts made by the captain to ensure for the passengers what comfort was possible. How glad we were when the paddles brought us to Half Moon Bay, and we glided up water smooth as a pond and made fast to the jetty connected with Mr Murdoch's sawmill. The use of the jetty is allowed to visitors through the kindness of the proprietor. Landing, we found there were two hotels, one kept by Mr Scollay, and the other by Mr Thomson. They were both put to their utmost to provide accommodation for the large influx of visitors, but they succeeded in making them all comfortable. I sat down to dinner at Scollay's with an excellent appetite, and did ample justice to the fare - roast beef, pototoes, onions, and rice pudding, and bread and butter and tea if one felt disposed. "I'll take a small bottle of British," said I in my suave tone; but the young man called Dan said "I guess you don't, we're all on the teetotal on this island." and I found that the Blue Ribbon people held the sway and that there was no licensed place for the sale of liquor. Judging by the looks of the inlanders; and of the visitors who had been there for some time, the people can do excellently without a space for dispensing "drinks." The tug stayed but a few minutes at the bay, having to go on to Paterson's Inlet. I had intended to accompany her there, but deemed it advisable to stay at Scollay's hospitable house till her return, and improved the time by questioning the visitors as to what they thought of the islands. "I don't remember, having spent a pleasanter week anywhere, and we haven't by any means yet exhausted the attractions of the place," said a leading lawyer who had taken his family there for a few weeks. "The place is simply enchanting; you can't imagine scenes more lovely; there are foliage tints around that you wouldn't find anywhere else in New Zealand" was the opinion expressed by a lady of the teaching profession who is spending part of her vacation there. "What do I owe you for my dinner," I asked Mrs Scollay, as the Awarua hove in sight on her return from the inlet. "One shilling." Replied that good lady, and my mind was at once made up respecting the excellence of Half-Moon Bay. If any of the 'SOUTHLAND TIMES' readers should think of seeking a few weeks' quiet recreation I would strongly advise them to patronise the tug and the hospitable roofs of Messrs Scollay and Thomson.
The return journey was uneventful, the wind had abated, and the Strait was not so "boisterous rough.'' We passed this time to windward of the inlets, steering directly for Bluff point and in about two hours could see the first red buoy, and were soon abreast of the sandbank already referred to and which is of use to the Bluff as a natural breakwater, causing quietness to reign in the harbour when the billows are outside. In a few minutes more I jumped on to the wharf, well pleased that I had made Stewart Island a visit and even that I had experience a gale on board the Awarua. -Southland Times, 14/1/1886.
Land Board
Cr. Tomlinson complained that R. Scollay, Oban, Stewart Island, had re-erected a fence 15 feet over the road line although warned not to do so. He (complainant) had been compelled to remove a shop back to the line, and he considered that there should be no exceptions. — Resolved that R. Scollay be ordered to remove his fence. -Southland Times, 27/8/1886.
Public Notices
BAY VIEW HOUSE, HALF-MOON BAY, STEWART ISLAND.
CAPTAIN SCOLLAY having now completed and furnished the above new and commodious 8-roomed house, is prepared to accommodate Tourists and Visitors. Suites of Rooms for Families and their servants. The p.s. Awarua plies to the Island regularly.
Pleasure Boats (rowing and sailing), ranging from 20 tons downwards, always on hire.
Charges moderate. Parties favoring him with their patronage will find every attention paid to their convenience and comfort.
ROBERT SCOLLAY, Proprietor. -Evening Star, 25/11/1887.
STEWART'S ISLAND TIN FIELDS. (excerpt)
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
Half-moon Bay, March 2. The Enterprise (Captain Scollay) arrived here from Port Pegasus, with about 20 passengers, on the 22nd ult. From all I can gather the prospects of the various claims are looking up. The lode is improving, and both miners and visitors have kept the professor's "Wully" very busy making tin buttons about the size of five shilling pieces. These buttons are made from the stream tin and tin stone from the various outcrops fhe lode. Roberston and party are reported to have found good stream tin and gold, and have shown many good samples.
George Connelly, A. Reynolds, W. Trail, and Joseph Brown, employed by a Dunedin syndicate, have just finished scouring the country from Price's look out to the camp. I have heard on good authority that they have done well. -Otago Daily Times, 12/3/1889.
More of the tin fields of Stewart Island in a future story.
Southland Land Board
R. Scollay and J. G. Black applied for permission to construct a tramway from the entrance to Heally's Creek (Pegasus) in a northerly direction to the stream tin workings. - They stated that it would be 2 1/4 miles in length, and would cost L400. — Right granted for an annual fee of L2 and subject to a rough survey. The same party were granted the right to construct a tail-race from Spence's Creek on the same conditions. -Mataura Ensign, 7/5/1889.
Mr Healy has just returned from Pegasus after a stay of four mouths, and reports that for the first few weeks he confined himself to prospecting on the eastern slopes of the Remarkables, near Robertson's creek, which is the largest watershed in the district, and found good prospects of tin and nice looking waterworn gold. Messrs Robertson (who represent an Australian syndicate) appear to be on good ground, and have abundance of water for sluicing purposes. On the western side, Healy's creek, which runs through Hall and McGaw's ground, is the next largest stream that rises in the Remarkables, and the best prospects have so far been obtained there. On the right hand side lies Spence's creek, which also flows from the range, and on which Messrs Basstian, Batchelor, and Martin have claims. Spence's creek joins Healy's creek about half-way from Batchelor's claim to where Professor Black and Mr Manisty have taken up ground; good prospects having been obtained from all these claims, which can be easily worked on account of their close proximity to the creeks, but Professor Black, Mr Batchelor, Captain Scollay, having secured water races which will command the whole of their ground, could commence operations at once. Indications of a lode were traced to the vicinity of Healy's and Spence's creeks. — Southland Times. -Otago Daily Times, 3/7/1889.
A chip of the old block...
Wet a Suit and Saved a Life. — The other day a little boy fell off the Bluff wharf while fishing. The accident was noticed by Mr R. Scollay, junr., who promptly jumped in and soon had the youngster in a place of safety again, none the worse for his immersion. Mr Scollay spoiled a holiday suit, but has the satisfaction of setting an example of courage and presence of mind deserving of mention. -Southland Times, 11/1/1893.
Mr Scollay has at Half-Moon Bay a good sized fishing cutter which will soon be ready for service. It contains a watertight compartment for carrying the fish alive, and it is not unlikely the owner may arrange for supplying Invercargill every other day with some of the fine fish with which the Straits and the fishing grounds between the Bluff and Stewart Island literally teem. -Southland Times, 3/3/1893.
Native Industry. — A correspondent of the 'Southland Times' who has been spending a holiday at Stewart Island says that the extent to which boat building has been and is now followed in several of the bays of the island is not generally known. Mr R. Scollay, during his residence there, has built over sixteen cutters and schooners. Mr Napier is constantly launching some beautiful specimens of his adeptness in the line and Messrs McLennon, Leask, Johnston and others have cutters or other boats in hand. -Bruce Herald, 14/3/1893.
LOSS OF A STEWART ISLAND CUTTER.
The Southland Times reports the loss of Mr Scollay's cutter Eclipse. When off Paterson's Inlet on Monday she encountered the full force of the north-west gale which blew, without intermission almost, the whole of that day. As the weather was so bad in the straits the cutter was headed for Half-moon Bay, and when about midway between Harrold's Point and Long (or Bench) Island she was struck by a violent squall which bore her over on her beam ends; her ballast also shifted, and the water poured into her so quickly that she foundered in a few minutes. Fortunately the three men aboard managed to safely lower the dingey and get into it before their vessel sank, and in it they succeeded in reaching the island mentioned after a perilous pull of about half an hour. They kindled a fire on the beach, and on Tuesday this was noticed by Mr W. Joss from his house at the head of the bay. Yesterday morning early, while at breakfast, he again noticed the fire on the island, and judging from the size of it that it was intended for a signal, he and his brother at once got into their boat and sailed over to the island, where they found the three men — viz., D. Scollay, J. Porter, and Harry Smith, — none the worse for their narrow escape and rough experience of about 40 hours on the island. The wind being dead ahead they had a stiff pull back, and just reached the mainland in time to catch the steamer Awarua and acquaint Mr Scollay — who they knew was to be a passenger by her — of his loss. The Eclipse was a splendid new vessel of 33 tons, and had only been afloat six weeks. She was entirely the handiwork of Mr Scollay himself, and her construction had cost him nine months' unremitting toil. Her main timbers were taken from the bush by himself, and the material otherwise required he had procured of the best in every respect at a cost in hard cash of over £480. All her fittings were of the newest and most approved designs and materials, and all her upper work was kauri, of which several thousand feet were used. She was fitted with a well capable of carrying 300 dozen fish, and with insulated chambers for from six to seven tons of fish packed in ice. Altogether she was meant to be, and was admitted to be, the largest and most completely equipped cutter in the local fishing trade, and her loss is a very severe blow to her builder and owner, who had not a penny of insurance upon her. -Otago Daily Times, 9/3/1894.
NOTES FROM STEWART ISLAND.
(From a Correspondent.) Mr Scollay left the Bluff on Saturday morning with some stout iron grapnels, with which he hoped to raise his lost fishing craft. She lies in 15 fathoms of water, but, being brand new, Mr Scollay anticipates but little difficulty in recovering her. The Stewart Islanders have enjoyed a prosperous season. There was an unusual influx of visitors, who expressed themselves as delighted with the scenery. It is stated that the proceeds of the two and a-half tons of stream tin sent home to Swansea by Mr Thomson, of Half-Moon Bay, as the result of some two years' sluicing for gold and tin at Pegasus, Stewart Island, was no less than £53 per ton. The same energetic miner was during the same period rewarded with 90oz of gold of such excellent quality as to bring £3 17s 6d per oz. The total gross proceeds therefore — from the work of two men — amounted to over £480. Mr Thomson is still working at Pegasus. -Otago Daily Times, 16/3/1894.
Just before the loss of the Eclipse, there was another visit to the Island by a Dunedin columnist.
A VISIT TO STEWART ISLAND.
We had often beard of Stewart Island as a pleasant place to spend a few weeks, on, and, wishing to get away from town for a while, we — my husband, sister, and self — decided to pay that place a fortnight’s visit. We first sent word through Cook’s agent to Mrs Thompson, who keeps a boarding-house on the island, that we were coming, and then proceeded to equip ourselves. We ferreted out our oldest clothes and strongest boots; bought fishing lines and hooks of various sizes; laid in a stock of books; and last, but not least, packed up our kodak.
We left Dunedin for Invercargill by the 8.5 a.m. train on a lovely sunny morning in the middle of February, and for the greater part of the day the weather was all that could be desired. But as we neared Invercargill the clouds were low and threatening, and before we reached that place we had heavy rain storms and keen, strong wind. When we arrived at Invercargill it was very cold, and the rain was beating into the station, making everyone feel miserable and uncomfortable. We decided to go on to the Bluff that evening, but the train for that port did not leave for another hour, so we had plenty of time in which to exercise our patience. There was no taking a walk in such weather, so my sister and I huddled ourselves up in a corner of the station, with our belongings, and waited there for our train, the ladies’ waiting room offering anything but temptation to us to take shelter there. All things come to those who know how to wait, and our starting time came at last. We left wet and windy Invercargill without regret, duly arrived at the Bluff, put up at that excellent house, the Club Hotel, where we enjoyed a hearty dinner and a good night’s rest after our long train journey. Next morning we embarked on the Awaroa, the Bluff Harbor Board’s tug boat, along with about twenty other passengers, for Stewart Island. There was a cross, choppy sea on, and a head wind was blowing, which caused us to have rather a longer passage than usual, and prostrated quite half of our fellow passengers with sea sickness. We arrived at Half moon Bay at half-past twelve o’clock. Halfmoon Bay is a very pretty little place, bounded by hills wooded down to the water’s edge, studded with tiny islets, and clusters of rocks here and there, most of them having shrubs and plants growing on them.
At the head of the bay facing you as you approach the pier stand the houses that form the nucleus of the township that is to be, I suppose, of Oban. There is a schoolhouse, which is also the post office, money order office and probably several other offices all in one — a store, a church, which is undenominational, and two boarding-houses — Sea View House and Oban House. On the south side of the bay, the sunny side, cottages and cots peep out through the rich foliage from cosy nooks, or wooded prominences, right round to the Heads; some halfway up the hills, others on the tops of them, but all having beautiful views, and all being approached by steps and footpaths of ferntree trunks, which are pretty and rustic to look at and very pleasant to walk on. Of course all the population turned out to meet the steamer, its weekly visit being the one excitement of the place. The jetty is a somewhat dilapidated structure, with quantities of old timber of different sorts and sizes lying about in piles, over and around which we had to scramble on leaving the steamer — relics, these, I suppose, of the days when they had saw-mills at work on the island and exported large quantities of timber. Harold, McCrae, and Thompson, boarding-house keepers, sent their boats for passengers and luggage. Harold’s place being a long way from the jetty, their boarders went in the boat, but as our place was much nearer we elected to walk. Our road was along the foot of the hills, winding in and out, round and about, up and down in most picturesque fashion. A stiffish climb up fern tree steps and walk brought us to our home for the time being, where we sat down to a luxurious dinner of minced meat and potatoes, followed by boiled rice with milk.
Dinner over, of course we must go for a walk. The path at the foot of the hills skirts the bay. It is called the Lovers’ Walk, and no lovers could wish for a prettier one. It is full of bonny bits and pretty peeps, either looking up the glens, or out to sea, or over the bay. The stormy weather of the day before had paid Stewart Island a visit. Some of our fellow boarders who had already been some time at the place told us that the bad weather had come upon them quite suddenly, when they were out picnicking —heavy rain and stormy wind. Some lads out fishing in a rowing boat had a narrow escape of being blown out to sea. As there are no horses on the island there is no carriage way, consequently no dust, which makes walking very much more pleasant than it is in some other places. We returned to the house in time for another luxurious meal — tea, bread and butter, scones, and jam. The man of our party, accustomed to his late dinner, looked somewhat blank, but buckled-to bravely, and ate more bread and butter than he ever remembered having eaten since his boyhood. The remark became quite common amongst the men boarders: “I never ate so much bread and butter since I was a boy.” I don’t believe they ever did. Fortunately, both bread and butter were very good.
For the first week we were not able to get as much fishing as we should have liked, as we could only hire a boat by the hour; but the second week we and Mr M. and his sister, who joined us in our fishing excursions, had a boat to ourselves exclusively. The bay is teeming with fish of various kinds, and we were almost always very successful in our catches. At first all was fish that came to our hooks; but in a short time we became very discriminative, and rejected red cod or butter fish with great disdain, refusing even to take them into the boat unless they were exceptionally fine, when we just kept them for show, for they are very poor eating. White fish, blue cod, and trumpeter were the only fish we thought good enough for us. The white fish is delicious, delicate, tender, and sweet. We much preferred it to trumpeter. We caught great numbers. I am told that it could easily be sent to market, as it carries well, but that there is no demand for it. That must be because it is so little known. It is almost equal to garfish— perhaps it has not quite so much flavor. It is a delightful fish to catch, not gobbling down bait, hook, and all like the greedy blue cod, but taking the bait quietly, and giving no trouble in taking off the hook. When first taken from the water it squeaks like a mouse. It is a pretty fish, silvery and clean looking. At this time a good many of our meals were mainly composed of fish, and once or twice, though I am a great lover of that food, I really thought that I did not want any more of it. The climate of the island is mild, neither so hot nor so cold as it is on the mainland; there are no frosts, and no nor’westers — that is to say, hot ones. During our stay the weather was most pleasant. We had only one really wet day, but that day was enough — the rain fell steadily from morning until night. The bays are so sheltered that the residents do not feel the wind; it may be blowing hard outside, but within the bays all is calm and warm. On one occasion twelve of us chartered a cutter, with a man and boy to manage her, and sailed round to Paterson Inlet. The weather looked rather uncertain in the morning, and some were for giving up the trip, but- were overruled by the others. It really looked, though, as it we were in for a ducking, for just as we were all on board down came a pelting shower of rain. However with umbrellas, macintoshes, and a spare sail, we kept dry, and as no more rain fell that day we had a most pleasant jaunt. We landed and lunched on Cooper Island, and walked through part of the grounds at Ulva, one of the prettiest, sunniest spots imaginable. These grounds were planted many years ago by Mr Trail (who is since dead) with a great number of foreign shrubs, plants, and ferns, some of them from tropical climates. All of them that we saw appeared to be thriving and flourishing well. Tuis, pigeons, caw-caws (kaka) and many other birds were flying about, making the place quite lively, while three jolly little dogs came racing down to the landing place to meet us, as pleased to see us as if they had known us all their lives, instead of never having seen us before. We had not time to go all over the place, and I am told we missed seeing the best of it, as well as well as a great treat, in not seeing the curios, of which the gentleman who now resides there has a great many. We got on board our cutter again about two o’clock and sailed for the Island of Bravo, on which two families live. One of our party wished to land there to transact some business. Whilst tacking about to reach the island two of our party amused themselves by fishing for barracouta, baiting their hooks with rags of turkey-red twill, and they caught about ten. Leaving Bravo we steered for the fishing grounds, where the boatswain thought we might get large blue cod; but we were too late to have much sport. The lines and hooks of the amateurs were almost all too fine and small for deepsea fishing, and some of the ladies were feeling very sick, the boat rocking a good deal when we were not sailing, so we made for home, which we reached at about half-past eight o’clock, having been away ten hours. Our lunch had been of the lightest, and we were ravenously hungry. We soon cleared the dishes of all the fish provided, and as no more was forthcoming fell back on to the always-to-be-had bread, butter, and jam. Hard work does not seem to be a necessity on Stewart Island. The day before the steamer is expected seems to be the busy one there. All the fishermen are away early in the morning, and it is a pretty sight to see the boats returning in the afternoon, one after another, each bringing its load, much or little, to the wharf, where it is landed and taken into a house built for the purpose, and then sorted, emptied, washed, and packed in boxes ready to he sent to the Bluff by the steamer next day. We went down to see the sight, and a sight it was. I never before saw so much fish at one time, A broad table ran round two sides of the building, and on it were piled fish of all kinds over 2ft deep, while on the floor lay other large piles. On this night householders can buy fish — it is market night on the island. Our second week drew to a close, only too soon we all thought. The night before we left we went to see Mr Scollay, and had a long chat with him. He has lived for many years on Stewart Island, and has brought up a large family there. He very kindly gave us a good deal of interesting information about the fishing industry, in which he is much interested. He and his partner, Mr Williamson, own several cutters of from 23 to 33 tons register, and charter four others. These are constantly employed, some fishing and some dredging for oysters. One of the cutters, the Eclipse, is built specially for the carriage of live fish. There is a large well in her, 14ft by 10ft, with a depth of 5ft 8in of water in it. The water is constantly flowing in and out through valves, so that it is always sweet and fresh, if salt water can ever be called fresh. All the fish caught unhurt are put into this well, and whilst in captivity are fed with groper. Three hundred dozen can be carried and kept in perfect health and condition for a week. The fish that are too much injured by the hook to be carried alive to the Bluff are killed, cleaned thoroughly, and packed in an insulated cool chamber capable of holding seven tons of fish and ice. The boat, having her complement of fish, takes them to the Bluff, when those from the well, as soon as dead, are emptied, well scrubbed inside with a stiff brush, washed in several waters (this process is the thorough cleaning all fish for freezing must undergo), their heads cut off, and their bodies neatly packed in cases resembling fruit cases, each one holding from three to four dozen. They are then sent to the freezing works, and frozen just as they are in the boxes. They are then ready for exportation. Messrs Scollay and Williamson send away as many as 150 cases a week to Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart. For carrying, the small cases are again packed into large insulated ones, each holding from sixty to eighty of the small ones. In this way the fish are said to arrive at their several destinations in perfect condition. The cost of freezing is 1/4d per lb, and as I am told one company alone paid £300 one year for freezing only there must have been a good deal of fish sent away, I think. There is a great demand for oysters, too. Everyone knows how good Stewart Island oysters are, Mr Scollay says that the oyster beds have been proved for over forty miles, and that he thinks them practically inexhaustible. About 15 or 16 tons a week are sent away. Many go to Melbourne packed in casks, each cask containing 65 dozen. In spite of the depression in Melbourne last year, the turnover for oysters alone from the Bluff to that city was £8,000. Frozen oysters are also exported. They are taken out of the shell, and frozen in their own liquor in deep dishes or pans, so that they turn out in solid blocks of so many dozen each; so if you want a dish of fresh oysters all you have to do is to get a block of frozen ones and stand it in a dish until it thaws, and you have it, all you want being some shells to but your oysters in. I particularly inquired about smoked blue cod. A great deal of the smoked fish we get in New Zealand is red cod. Horrid stuff! I was told that blue cod smoked could be delivered in Invercargill at from 3s 6d to 4s fid per dozen, according to weight, the best averaging 6lb before being smoked. Why, oh why, don’t we get it here? I am sorry to say that even as I write the news has come that Mr Scollay has lost his fine, wellbuilt cutter Eclipse. She was caught in the gale that blew on Monday, the 5th of this month (March), and sank. The men on board saved themselves in their dingey. The loss will be a great one to Mr Scollay, as we hear she was totally uninsured. It will also be a loss to the fishing trade at the Bluff. We are all very sorry for Mr Scollay, but we don’t think he is a man to be discouraged even under misfortune, and quite expect to hear of his having another cutter presently, even better than the ill-fated Eclipse, bringing good food for the people at moderate prices. We hope, indeed, he will; for a man who does that deserves to be considered a public benefactor. A little time ago there was one other industry carried on at Stewart Island — saw-milling — but the mills are now shut, to the sorrow of the islanders and some others. However, there are hopes of two or three new ones being opened, which will, it is anticipated, bring renewed prosperity and business to them.
The day following our visit to Mr Scollay we again took passage ou board the Awaroa, thus ending our most pleasant fortnight on Stewart Island, and in two hours and a-half were again at the Bluff. -Evening Star, 17/3/1894.
BLUFF NOTES.
The brass band concert held on Monday evening last was well attended, and proved a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment. The grain season has now fairly started, and the various storing sheds are now kept busy. All attempts, so far, to recover Mr Scollay’s cutter “Eclipse” have proved unavailing, but it is hoped she will be brought to the surface yet; meantime much sympathy is felt for Mr Scollay in his heavy loss. Local boat owners are preparing for the Invercargill regatta, intending to have a cut in the good things going. Experts, though, opine the Bluff boats are not fast enough for Invercargill. -Southern Cross, 31/3/1894.
Shipping
The Stewart Isand correspondent of the Southland News writes that the p.s. Awarua, from the Bluff, arrived on Thursday evening for the purpose of raising Captain Scollay's cutter Enterprize, but were not successful. They fastened to her, but the grapnels did not hold. Captain Scollay intends to have another trial the first fine day, and hopes he will succeed in getting her up. Great sympathy is felt for him both here and at the Bluff. If he does not get the cutter it means a loss to him of close on £500, (just under $100,000 today) besides nine months' hard work, no small knock for a poor man to sustain. -Otago Daily Times, 31/3/1894.
Local and General
Information was brought to the Bluff by one of the cutters from Stewart Island that about 8.30 on Friday night Mr Robert Scollay's twostoreyed boarding house at Half-Moon Bay was burned down while the family were absent at church. Some of the furniture was saved. The fire is supposed to have been caused through a chimney catching fire. The house and furniture were insured in the New Zealand office for £500. -Otago Witness, 25/10/1894.
Southland Acclimatisation Society
Opossums.— We have placed 11 of these interesting nniinals in the bush at Milford Sound, through the kindness of the Union Steam Ship Company, and 24 were placed there by this society in previous years. We have also had 12 opossums turned out in Stewart Island, in the bush at Half Moon Bay, through the assistance of the Bluff Harbour Board and of Captain Scollay. Fifteen opossums were placed in the same island in June 1890. The only distribution of opossums outside our district during the past season has been six sent to the Oamaru society. -Otago Witness, 2/5/1895.
Last Night's Telegrams
INVERCARGILL, September 9. It is reported that D. C. Scollay, a fisherman at Half-moon Bay, and the son of an old resident there, perished in a squall off Paterson’s Inlet on Saturday. Captain Hanning, master of the ketch Anna, seeing the squall coming up, became apprehensive of Scollay’s safety, he being in an open sailing boat laden with fish and ballasted. Captain Hanning made for the boat, but the squall was too quick, and the boat capsized and sank. There was no sign of the occupant seen, although the Anna cruised about till dark, her sails being badly damaged. Scollay, who was married about two years ago, leaves a widow with one child, and a son by a former marriage, who is now a young man. -South Canterbury Times, 10/9/1901.
Mr Robert Scollay, of Half Moon Bay, recently built a small cutter, which is to be engaged during the summer months in the island excursion traffic. The little vessel has had an oil engine and propeller put into her at the Bluff, and will be exceedingly handy for cruising about bays and inlets of the island.—Times. -Western Star, 9/1/1903.
Captain Scollay would have been approaching 60 years old at this time.
MARRIAGE.
Hansen—Scollay — At Half Moon Bay, on 23rd July, Henry, eldest son of Captain Hansen, to Annie, seoond youngest daughter of Captain Scollay, both of Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island. -Southland Times, 20/8/1903.
For Sale and To Let
TO LET, at Stewart Island, 8-roomed house, furnished, for tourist season. Near Jetty. Apply R. Scollay, Oban, Stewart Island. -Southland Times, 28/9/1903.
FREEHOLD PRIVATE RESIDENCE
FOR Boarders at Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island, owned and occupied by Captain Scollay for sale. To a suitable married couple with some means this property offers a good income, as the house will be fully occupied for a considerable portion of the year.
W. B. Scandrett, LAND AGENT, Corner Dee and Esk streets, Invercargill. -Southern Cross, 26/12/1903.
WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY, AT 3.30
SALE OF CUTTER AT BLUFF.
WILLIAM TODD & CO., instructed by CAPTAIN R.. SCOLLAY, will Sell by Auction on board at Bluff Wharf
The CUTTER “SUNBEAM,” 8 tons register, in first-class order, new sails, passed survey, with 6 h.p. Hercules engine.
The sole reason for Captain Scollay selling is his inability to work her owing to old age.
This is a craft highly recommended. -Southland Times, 25/1/1910.
Accidents and Fatalities
The Southland News reports that Captain Robert Scollay, of Half Moon Bay, met with a serious accident on Saturday while engaging blowing up stumps. It appears that one of the charges failed to fire, and on Captain Scollay going over to see what was wrong an explosion occurred, breaking his thigh and doing injury to his head. Captain Scollay, who is an elderly man, was removed in a launch to Bluff, and taken to the Southland Hospital, where at latest accounts he was making such progress as the nature of the injuries permitted. -Otago Daily Times, 7/12/1910.
Capt. Scollay, of Stewart Island, is making good progress and showing signs of recovery. -Southern Cross, 17/12/1910.
ABOUT PEOPLE
The many friends of Captain R. Scollay, of Half Moon Bay, will be pleased to hear that he has recovered sufficiently from the accident he sustained some months ago, to be able to rejoin his friends at Bluff yesterday. -Southland Times, 4/4/1911.
The Bluff Press records the death of Mrs Robert Scollay, wife of Captain Scollay, the well-known Stewart Island pioneer, at the age of 73 years. Mrs Scollay had been in indifferent health for some years but the end came with unexpected suddenness on Monday morning after two days' illness. Mrs Scollay was born at Plymouth (England) in 1843, and was a daughter of Colonel Cornelius Reed, of the British Army. She came to Australia in 1859 with her sister Mrs Moss of Victoria, as a girl of seventeen. On the voyage out she fell in love with Captain Scollay who was an officer of the emigrant vessel and they married in Melbourne. Capt. Scollay arrived in New Zealand in the Queen of Perth (Capt. Clare) in 1862 with Mrs Scollay and their young family to erect the first sawmill at Stewart island. After seeing the work completed, Captain Scollay resided for a couple of years in Invercargill where he ran a number of lighters from the Moko Moko and Lower Pool, where the Home vessels used to lay, to Invercargill township. He then returned to Stewart Island to supervise the work of the sawmill and he also received a free Government grant of 30 acres of land and purchased another 30 acres adjoining. As a seaman he could not settle down to an agricultural life on his block of land and so he varied it by building schooners and engaging in the coastal trade of Otago. During all these years Mrs Scollay lived a very retired life at Stewart Island and never entered into public life of any kind. The loss of two sons and a son-in-law by drowning created a sadness in a kindly disposition that was no doubt largely responsible for her quiet and unostentatious life. Her husband, eight children and many grandchildren (one of whom is with the expeditionary force) survive her, the names of the surviving sons and daughters being: Mrs Williamson (Bluff), Mrs J. Lockhart (Invercargill), Capt. Scollay (Dunedin), Mrs J. Morton (Auckland), Mrs D. Murdoch (Christchurch), Mrs G. Howes (Cust), Mrs H. Hansen (Stewart Island), and Mrs G. Cox (Invercargill). -Southland Times, 28/10/1915.
THE BLUFF
The Harbour Board's tug returned from Port Chalmers on Friday, and took up her weekly trip to Stewart Island on Saturday. The Board chartered the s.s. Rita to carry the mail on the previous Wednesday, so that contract terms might be fulfilled, and the steamer was also able to carry passengers who desired to pay the last tribute of respect to the late Mrs Scollay at Half Moon Bay. -Southern Cross, 6/11/1915.
Captain Robert, now alone and very advanced in years, moved to the Dunedin area, where his oldest son also bore the title Captain, being master of the Otago Harbour ferry Waireka. Thomas, another son, was Mayor of Port Chalmers.
Deaths
SCOLLAY —On July 28th, at the residence of his son, 122 Albany street, Robert Scollay, late of Stewart Island; aged 94 years. At rest. Private interment. — Hope and Kinaston. undertakers. -Evening Star, 26/7/1916.
DEATH OF CAPT. SCOLLAY
A SOUTHERN PIONEER
AN EVENTFUL LIFE
[Special to the 'Star.’]
BLUFF, July 31. Best known in these latitudes as the '‘Patriarch of Stewart Island,” the death of Captain Robert Scollay, at Dunedin, has created deep feelings of regret among all who knew him, and there are very few connected with the shipping and fishing industries here during the past half-century who have not known Captain Scollay as the rough but kind-hearted sailor that be was. Born at the Shetland Islands in 1833, Captain Scollay had thus attained the ripe old age of 83 years before he made his last long voyage. Captain Scollay came to Australia in 1859 as an officer of an immigrant ship bound for Melbourne, and the voyage was quite a romantic one. Two daughters of Colonel Cornelias Peed, of the British Army, were passengers by the same vessel, and Captain Scollay fell in love with the younger daughter, and they were married in Melbourne. Captain and Mrs Scollay, with their young family, arrived in New Zealand in 1861 by the ship Queen of Perth, with a cargo of sawmilling timber, and a complete saw-mill plant for Stewart Island, Captain Scollay being under engagement to erect the first saw-mill that was destined to cut into the magnificent timber areas of Rakiura. After seeing the work completed and the mill in full swing, Captain Scollay came over to Invercargill, where for a couple of years he ran a number of lighters between that town and the lower estuary and Mokomoko, where the Home vessels trading to Invercargill used to lay. The rising usefulness of the port of Bluff mitigated against any expansion of Captain Scollay’s enterprise with his lighter, and he decided to sell out and return to Stewart Island. He was engaged to supervise personally the work of the saw-mill that he had erected, and he accepted a free grant of 20 acres of Government land and purchased another 20 acres adjoining. The call of the sea, however, was too strong and he could not settle down to an agricultural life on the land that he had taken up. He was a practical shipbuilder, and exceptionally clever at the trade, and he used to boast that he made every detail of his own vessels, from the keel to the topgallant yards, being shipwright, blacksmith, woodturner, and sailmaker all rolled into one. One of the largest vessels he built was the fore-and-aft schooner Margaret Scollay, of 100 tons, with which he used to trade from Invercargill, Bluff, and Stewart Island to Dunedin, and on several occasions further north. He was one of the pioneers of the oyster business, so far as Dunedin was concerned, and used to run oyster cargoes for Mr Innis, fish merchant, of Port Chalmers, in the seventies. Later on he commanded the s.s. Lily Denham, but she foundered in Foveaux Strait, off Bank Island, in 1885. Other vessels well known in these waters that were built by Captain Scollay were the Endeavor (which afterwards foundered at her moorings at South Pegasus), the Eclipse (which was wrecked at Stewart Island), the Lerwick, the Jane Scollay, the Dauntless, and many others, including the Enterprise, with which Captain Catling made two attempts to recover the gold of the General Grant at the Auckland Islands. Captain Catling’s recent eulogy upon the staunchness of the Enterprise as a sea boat was a testimony to her builder, and corroborated the splendid reputation that Captain Scollay’s boats have always held. Two of his sons met their deaths by drowning, one of them (Bob) being on the ill-fated Wolverine, which was lost off Cape Saunders in 1899, while the other (Dan) was lost in an open sailing boat at Stewart Island. After giving up the coastal trade Captain Scollay was prominently connected with the fishing industry, and also bore much popularity in connection with the tourist traffic of Stewart Island. Tall (being over 6ft in height), broad-shouldered, and powerful, and possessed of boundless energy, his was one of the most remarkable figures of Stewart Island, even after (through advancing years) he had given up active association with his many phases of occupation. The last few years of his life were saddened by the death of his wife and by a fire which destroyed the whole of his possessions. A few months ago he removed to Dunedin, where he passed away as stated at the advanced age of 83 years. Captain Scollay is survived by one son and seven daughters — namely, Captain Scollay (Dunedin), Mrs G. A. Williamson (Dunedin), Mrs J. Lockhart (Invercargill), Mrs J. Morton (Auckland), Mrs D. (Murdoch (Christchurch), (Mrs G. Howes (Cust), Mrs G. Cox (Invercargill), and Mrs H. Hansen (Stewart Island). There are also many grandchildren, two of whom are serving in France with the Expeditionary Forces. The late Captain Scollay took a keen interest in all matters tending to the welfare of Stewart Island, and was a member of the School Committee from its inception and also a member of the Stewart Island branch of the Southland League. Captain Scollay also took an active interest in church matters, being one of the lay preachers of the undenominational church at Halfmoon Bay. -Evening Star, 1/8/1916.
Thank you for all your work with Captain Robert Scollay. He is my 3rd Great-grandfather. We only found out last year and went to his place of rest. We cleaned it up and my daughter went to Stewart Island with her school last year and found out more history about him. We are in Dunedin but originally from Auckland. Ngā mihi ki a koe (Thank you very much in Māori).
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