The s.s. Omeo, now commanded by Captain Edwards, who has for some months past been chief officer of the vessel, arrived in port at an early hour in the morning. She left Port Philip on Sunday week, pasting Swan Island on the night of Tuesday, the 8th instant. Had light southerly winds until reaching the Bluff on Sunday last. Remained there until Monday evening, discharging about two-thirds of her cargo. The portion which she brings to this port includes a few horses and upwards of 1500 sheep. She had also on deck some heavy cargo, consisting of trucks and other railway plant, which were landed at the Bluff, and a portable steam-engine and thrashing machine, to be landed at Port Chalmers. Captain McLachlan, her former commander, is now duly installed as manager at Melbourne for the Otago Steam Navigation Company. His successor, Capt. Edwards, has been long and very favorably known as a shipmaster in the intercolonial trade, and is the best man that could be selected to sustain the reputation as a passenger vessel, which was earned for the Omeo by the courtesy and attention of Capt. McLachlan. Should sufficient inducement offer, there is a possibility that the Omeo will proceed from this port to Auckland, and thence to Newcastle and Melbourne, where she is soon to undergo some fresh improvements, including the reception of a new boiler, for which the orders have been given. -Otago Daily Times, 16/3/1864.
TESTIMONIAL TO THE CAPTAIN OF THE OMEO.
The following testimonial has been presented to Captain Edwards by the passengers; — S.S Omeo, March 25, 1864.
Captain Edwards. Dear Sir, — As we approach the completion of a remarkably pleasant and agreeable passage from Dunedin to Auckland, we desire, before leaving the good steamship Omeo, to express the pleasure we have felt in sailing in a vessel under your able command, and at the name time to tender you our best thanks for the kindly attention that all of us have experienced at your hands.
The good fortune that has attended you, in this your first voyage aa commander of the Omeo, augurs well for your future success; and we have no doubt that, while under your skilful management, the Omeo will continue to maintain that high position which she so deservedly holds in pubic estimation.
The accompanying purse of sovereigns we present to you as a trifling mark of our esteem; and with every wish for your future happiness and prosperity, we remain, &c
(Here follow the signatures.) -Daily Southern Cross, 30/3/1864.
LATEST FROM THE HOKITIKA.
ARRIVAL OF THE OMEO WITH FULLY 10,000 OUNCES OF GOLD.
THE STORM BIRD OFF THE BANK.
INTERESTING NARRATIVES OF THE STATE OF THE DIGGINGS.
Yesterday afternoon the large screw steamer Omeo, Captain Edwards, arrived from Melbourne and the Hokitika. She sailed from Melbourne on the 11th, and reached the Hokitika on the 19th instant. There she landed 70 passengers, diggers, from Melbourne, and 380 tons of general cargo. She left Hokitika again on Saturday night at ten o'clock.
The Omeo brings 225 passengers from Hokitika, and 9850 ounces of gold on freight. It is understood that there are 300 or 400 ounces more in the hands of passengers, which will make the arrival exceed 10,000 ounces. We have been informed that there is a large quantity of gold still to come up; indeed it is said that an amount nearly equal to that brought by the Omeo will be shipped by next steamers. Such is the report; for its verification or correction we wait the arrival of the Wallaby and immediately succeeding steamers.
The Omeo spoke the Gothenburg from Dunedin for the Hokitika, with 70 passengers, and sighted a large number of sailing vessels making their way towards Hokitika.
We have various accounts from the diggings: Some, indeed many — for there must be many disappointed ones in a population so suddenly placed on a district admittedly over "rushed," — declare that it is "no good," and that there will be serious work if the men do not find employment, or discover some new ground that will pay. Others affirm that the district will prove a permanent goldfield; but that it has to be weeded of many who are doing nothing; and that for a reasonable and moderate population there will be a good payable goldfield. But the natural difficulties of the dense bush and the troubles of the coming winter offer serious obstacles to that prompt and immediate action which is demanded by the necessities of a crowded population, depending on successful gold-finding for their daily bread.
The captain of the Omeo reports that he made land near to the Wanganui river, which is by the map 40 miles to the south of Hokitika, and all along the coast he observed tents pitched at various places, and the smoke of diggers' encampments, showing that prospecting parties have reached that distance southward. One of bur correspondents, whose narrative we quote below, shows that on the north side of the Hokitika, townships have sprung up as far north as the Teremakau; and thence to the Grey river, 26 miles north of Hokitika, the gold diggings extend. There is thus a coast line of 65 miles along which in greater or less numbers diggers are scattered.
Good coarse gold has been obtained on the Grey river, some 25 miles up; and we noticed a week ago that the Government of Nelson province is about to construct a road up the Grey until it joins the overland main road which will connect the West Coast with the gold-bearing rivers and districts of the Maruia and the Matakitaki. The following accounts are from correspondents: —
22nd April. The township of Hokitika is still increasing in size. Its main street is now a mile and a half long; and at present there about 4000 inhabitants. A great many are doing nothing at all, not a few are very hard up and can hardly get food to keep them from starving, while many are paying their way and no more. Some are making splendid wages; and there are claims which are turning out £50 per man per week of very fine gold; but these successes are kept as quiet as possible, as there are a great many desperate characters about, which makes diggers more chary than ever of telling of their gains.
A good deal of talk is taking place about the Wanganui river, which is said to be deserving of a visit, and that it is a better river than the Hokitika; but Mr. Rochfort, the Government Surveyor and Magistrate, does not think that the river is superior to our own, whatever may be the gold prospects from it. Men can walk with swags along the coast all the way from Hokitika to within five miles of Wanganui river, and many have gone in that direction.
Provisions are still plentiful here, all kinds being well supplied except butcher meat and horse feed. Flour is £35 per ton at the township, and falling, and packing to Waimea (Six-mile Creek) is £3 10s. per l00lbs. Of tea, sugar, spirits, and all other articles of the kind the place is full. Fresh beef is 2s. and 2s. 6d. per lb.; and as a contrast to the price of flour, bran for horses is retailed at the price of 6d. per lb. Even at the high figure for fresh beef the price is what is termed "nominal," for it is not often to be had, but salt meat, bacon, ham, and salt fish are staple articles in the meat line, and are plentiful in the market. When horse feed is so dear, of course the poor horses suffer in their provender, and it is melancholy to see long strings of wretched lean Rosinantes, rendered as tame as dogs by hunger, pass along the streets, and look wistfully into the tent doors, hunger staring out of their hollow eyes and large protruding bones. Horse flesh is a drug in the market, and any one can buy a horse for £4 or £5, saddle and all; but then with feed at such a figure, he would speedily "eat his own head off," unless indeed he could as speedily be converted into "beef" and sold at half-a-crown a pound.
The charge for taking goods from a steamer lying outside, whether by lighter or by small steamer, is £3 10s. per ton; and 10s. a head for landing or embarking passengers.
From another correspondent we have what follows: —
Hokitika, 21st April. The Storm Bird, stranded several weeks ago, has got off at last, and not nearly so much injured as people expected she would be. She lay just on the edge of the river, and the bank being partly washed away she partly slid and was partly towed in. The Nelson remains high and dry, with a bank between her and the sea. At high tides the breakers still reach her, but at present we can walk round and round her dry shod. She is more than a couple of hundred yards from the deep water, and if ever she is got off, which is more than doubtful, it will be by cutting a channel through the bank, which will be a costly operation.
There is a large number of people here doing nothing, and glad to get a job of any kind to keep life in them. Some are carrying water and selling it in the township at 1s. for three bucketfuls, some are picking up driftwood from the beach and selling that, and others are foraging far and wide for rushes and other apologies for grass to feed the starved horses which will eat almost anything.
Many are doing very well, but vast numbers are doing very badly: which is easily acounted for when it is known that the population scattered over the diggings is at least from 13,000 to 15,000 souls, and half these would in the present state of affairs, and in view of the approaching winter, be a sufficient population. For a moderate population the diggings may last for years, for the gold is fine and generally well spread about; but the greater part of the accessible ground is well worked out, and some of the best claims have seen their best days. If in the course of three weeks something better than has yet been discovered do not turn up, there will be a frightful amount of distress. As it is, robberies are of frequent occurrence and the Magistrate is kept in work. Lots of fellows get a fortnight's woodchopping under the eye of the police for petty larceny, and other offences.
A considerable amount of excitement was raised about an intended rush to Wanganui river, away to the south, and some storekeepers have gone there in a couple of open boats, and I daresay there will be a rush to that quarter. It is no easy matter to work the Wanganui, or any other river, at this season. They can't get up to the head waters of these rivers, except by crossing the low main ranges, where it is the belief of experienced gold miners that the matrix of the gold will be found. And it is scarcely possible to reach the upper part of the rivers, as the bush is almost impenetrable; and would almost kill men swagging. The rivers properly can only be prospected by means of canoes, as swagging through the bush cannot be done; and canoes can be worked only by Maoris and by old West Coast hands, who know how to manage such ticklish craft.
Everything is overdone; population, storekeeping, horses, and everything else. Where one store would suffice for the wants of the people there are five or six to do the work. There are several respectable and well-conducted houses, like Schluter's, which is doing a good trade, but many of the "hotels" are little else than establishments deserving a much more naughty name. These are mainly from Otago. Billiard rooms are as plentiful as can be.
Several little rushes have occured, and are every now and then occurring, and many are trying the worked ground, to try to get enough for bare "tucker;" but nearly everyone complains that go where he will he finds either occupied ground, or exhausted claims, and no rest for the sole of his foot. Still, gold is being got for there are many thousands of ounces in the hands of the bankers.
There are several townships, all up the coast. To give you an idea of this I mention the following: —
1. There is one at Arahura, a good sized river, about five miles north from Hokitika; and here the town is pretty large.
2. From Arahura to the mouth of the Waimea (Six-mile Creek) is a distance of four miles, and here also there is a large township, with numerous tents, stores, butchers, bakers, shoemakers, &c.
3. From Six-mile Creek to the Three-mile Creek, or Kapiti, is a distance of three miles, and and there is a township here.
4. From Kapiti to Teremakau river is another three miles, and here there is a small township on the south side of the Teremakau, and a small one on the north side of that river.
All these townships are of course supported by the diggers in the neighboring districts. The trade from Teremakau is pretty good, and consists principally of goods canoed to the Greenstone river, which is eight miles up the Teremakau. Many are going back to the Greenstone, where provisions are cheaper than at the other places, as they can be conveyed with less labor by canoes. Flour at Greenstone is 1s. a pound; sugar, 1s. 6d., tea, about 6s. and 7s.
A great many deaths occur, and dead bodies are frequently found on the road and along the river side. They are generally put in a sack if one is to be got, a hole is dug, and there they rest. That is all men can do. Some poor fellows have been dreadfully frostbitten in attempting the journey overland. Two men were brought in from the Greenstone, one of them with his feet and part of a leg taken off by the frost, and the other with the loss of his toes. Men attempt the overland route, which is now closed by the snow, leaving without having any proper supply of food. They get to perhaps the Greenstone or further, and have not enough food left to subsist on either for going on or returning. They lose strength, and many fall victims to cold and exposure. Some, half starving, attempt to cross the rivers, and are swept away. One of two men who were recently drowned here was named Myers, a Nelson man. He was a Jew, and had been well known on Collingwood diggings, where he kept a store at one time. A police sergeant goes up from here with the Omeo, having in charge, I think, three men, one for stealing a large quantity of gold, and either one or two for stealing watches.
The following is an extract from a letter dated Hokitika, 18th April:—
"I arrived here from Dunedin about two weeks ago. The diggings here I am afraid are not what they were represented to be; however, I intend giving them a trial. We have been up the Canary river for the last ten days but have done no good yet, cannot get a prospect that would give tucker. I am down to the township to-day for provisions. The place is crowded with men. There will be some queer work here soon I am afraid unless some new diggings are opened, or some public works set going so that people can live, for there are hundreds of men here without means. I believe there would be more gold got if it was not for the wretched weather and the dense bush with which the country is covered, and which makes prospecting so difficult. But from all I can learn, none of the diggings can be called rich, the best of them only paying good wages. The weather for the last seven or eight days has been miserable."
Some time since we mentioned that Mr. Blundell, of the Picton Bank had received a wound in the neck by the accidental discharge of a pistol. The exact nature of the injury could not be ascertained at the time, the medical men at Picton being doubtful as to whether the bullet had lodged or fallen out, while Dr. Cusack, whom he consulted at Nelson, said that he felt it beneath the tonsil, and that it would probably make its exit into the throat. We are glad to hear that this event has taken place, and that after a few days' cough and irritation in the throat he has been relieved from further anxiety by spitting up the bullet. -Colonist, 25/4/1865.
The Omeo in Port Chalmers, 1872. Hocken Library photo.
Shipping Intelligence
Storm at Hokitika. — There have been several accidents to the shipping during the past few days. On Saturday quite a strong gale was blowing, during which we learn that the Lady Darling and Omeo steamships lost an anchor and cable each, and the former a lifeboat in addition. The Favorite broke away from the Omeo, leaving on board the captains of the Yara, Ruby, and Favorite, and with great difficulty reached the river, shipping several seas as she did so. The Ruby rode out the gale manfully, but lost an anchor and cable, and got inside the bar on Monday, her funnel, which had inadvertently dropped overboard, being carried out to her by the steamship New Zealand. The Wakool, engaged in lightering the steamship Omeo, yesterday had a signal of distress flying all day, but before high water she was steaming on to the beach, where she now lies, high and dry — another offering to the sea gods who particularly patronise the West Coast. It appears that she was found to be making so much water that this was the only course left open to the captain to prerent her from sinking. The Wakool endeavored to get in on Monday night, but, itseems, without avail. She now lies on the beach about a mile to the north of the township. Crowds rushed off to render assistance, and one enterprising drayman ran his horses into the surf, quite close to the ship, to bring ashore the passengers, who, however declined this mode of conveyance; and a heavy sea coming in upset the dray and nearly drowned the horses. A subscription was immediately started by Mr. R. Reeves, auctioneer, of Hokitika, and Captain Edwards, to reward the plucky fellow — each of those gentlemen at once subscribing a note — and which we believe, was duly followed. The Wakool had on board, as passengers, the absent skippers above named, and Thatcher, who certainly can have bat a poor opinion of Hokitika as yet, having made his debut under rather disagreeable circumstances. The "Unfortunate Man" has been fortunate enough to escape this mishap, at all events, having been ashore some days. The passengers were all safely landed last night, though not without some difficulty and much danger, for the surf was very heavy.— West Coast Times, May 24.
The following casualties to the shipping at Hokitika were reported to the Otago Daily Times by Mr. Watson, purser of the s.s. Lady Darling, which vessel left Hokitika on the 25th ult: —
Inside the bar: — Paddle steamboat Nelson, still high on the beach, and not likely at present to be got off. The s.s. Wakool, steam lighter, driven on the beach, and now broken up; wreck sold. The steamer Bruce, driven on the beach, but uncertain as to when she will be got off. The brjgantine Oak, still high and dry on the beach.
Outside the bar: — The s.s. Waipara, driven ashore seven miles from Hokitika, since condemned and sold. The sloop Gannet and the schooner Glasgow, both driven ashore and both condemned. The schooner Caroline, ashore high and dry, four miles from Hokitika. -NZ Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 3/6/1865.
Sydney Shipping News
The steamer Omeo, which came in on Friday night from Valparaiso, is bound to Melbourne, but ran for this port in consequeuce of meeting with the heavy gale, and having lost all her sails and a considerable portion of her bulwarks. Captain Edwards reports tbe Atrevida, and Mary Miller loading in Valparaiso for Sydney. -Daily Southern Cross, 24/7/1866.
The old favorite steamship Omeo, after an absence of upwards of twelve months, has again visited the Port, in charge of her old commander, Captain Edwards. She brings from Melbourne, in addition to passengers, a large general cargo, and a number of fine draught horses. She left Port Phillip Heads at 6 pm. on the 30th ult., and encountered a continuance of heavy N.W. and westerly gales, with heavy cross seas throughout the passage; and for the safety of her horses, of which she lost a couple, she was for some time hove to. On discharging her inward cargo, she proceeds back to Melbourne, via Bluff Harbor. -Otago Daily Times, 8/11/1866.
In 1867, after a bout of illness, Captain Edwards seems to have retired from the sea, but his experience as a Master Mariner serves him well on shore as a marine surveyor and shipping agent. His life at that time is a little confused by the existence of another Captain Edwards in the North Island. Advertisments for the Port Chalmers regatta of 1871 announce him as Starter.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE Friends of Captain Edwards, Port Chalmers, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late Son, JOHN SPENCER, TO-MORROW (SUNDAY), At 2 p.m., to the Port Chalmers Cemetery. -Otago Daily Times, 1/6/1872.
Almost a year after the death of his son, John Edwards also lost his wife. At this po9int, I have to wonder at what was killing the family. My admittedly less than educated guess is tuberculosis - communicable and slow.
All the ships in Port Chalmers had their flags at half-mast to-day, in respect to Captain Edwards, who has sustained a very heavy bereavement. -Evening Star, 10/5/1873.
The Dunedin papers announce the death on 9th May, at Port Chalmers, of the wife of Captain J. S. Edwards, late of the s.s. Omeo. The numerous friends of Captain Edwards on the West Coast will sympathise with him in his bereavement. -Grey River Argus, 20/5/1873.
The mortal remains of the late Captain Edwards, whose familiar face will long be remembered by Port Chaimers residents were committed to the earth yesterday afternoon, the place of sepulture being the Port Cemetery, by the side of his wife, who preceded him to "the bourne from whence no traveller returns" some ten months ago. The funeral was not largely attended, but it would have been otherwise if it had taken place on any other day than the festive one of Christmas, for the deceased gentleman was widely known and endeared to many by his good qualities. The service was conducted according to the Episcopalian ritual, and the Rev Mr Leeson officiated. In commemoration of the occasion, and out of respect to the memory of' the deceased the greater number of the vessels in port hoisted their colours half-mast high during the greater part of yesterday. Captain Edwards was for many years commander of it the steamer Omeo, of McMeekan and Blackwood's line, and afterwards took up his abode in Port Chalmers, where he acted as McMeekan and Blackwood's agent, and was the official Marine Surveyor as well. -Otago Daily Times, 26/12/1873.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.
Tuesday, December 30. (Before Capt, Thompson, Drs. Drysdale and O'Donoghue, J.P.’s )
Assault. — George Dodson was charged by John Harland with unlawfully assaulting him by throwing him down on the railway platform on the 25th inst. — John Harland: I was standing on the platform at the railway on the afternoon of the 25th, when, without any provocation, the accused came behind me and knocked me down. I had been in the refreshment room speaking to Captain Clark, of the s.s. Tararua, about not having the colors half-mast for the funeral of Captain Edwards, but had not made use of any bad language. — William Whittock was on the platform on the afternoon of the 25th. He saw Harland come out of the refreshment room. The accused then came out, spoke to, and threw Harland down. He could not say whether Harland was the worse for liquor. — Fred, Smith stated he was close to the waiting room on the afternoon of the 25th. Harland came out of the refreshment room. Shortly afterwards the accused came out and spoke to and caught hold of Harland and threw him down. The accused then walked away. — James Richmond gave similar evidence. — Defendant stated he was going past when he heard Harland making use of bad language, he told him he would not have that there, when Harland stated, “It is the likes of him that keeps you _____;" likewise making use of bad language. Harland had been insulting Captain Clark in the refreshment room. He then put his foot behind him and pushed him down. — The Bench inflicted a fine of 1s., and 14s. costs. -Evening Star, 30/12/1873.
SUMMARY FOR ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA
Captain Edwards, who had for years command of the Omeo and other steamers trading in the colonies, died lately at Dunedin. In the very early days of this colony he was engaged in whaling. He had many friends, and was a great favorite, but of late he had been in bad health, and heavy domestic afflictions shattered him sadly. -Wellington Independent, 17/1/1874.
Port Chalmers old cemetery.
