ARRIVAL

ARRIVAL TO WILLIAMSON’S CLEARING

William Knowles Cornthwaite: As quoted in the New Zealand Herald on the 11th of March 1915. On our arrival in Auckland were taken to the barracks at Onehunga by Drays, and from there to Drury by boat. Some of the boats took three days to reach Drury. From Drury we went to Williamson’s Clearing by Dray. A number were lodged in the Redoubt buildings, and the married people were camped in tents on a clearing a little south of the Redoubt. The district was then dense bush with the exception of a strip a few chains wide on each side of the Great South Road, which had been fallen to facilitate the work of the troops during the war. Each male passenger of the age of 18 years and over received a free grant of 10 acres in this dense bush. The first work of the new arrivals was to fell the bush on the road lines and clear a track wide enough for dray traffic. The late Mr James Mellsop was in charge of the road works. The only settlers in the district then were the late Captain Jackson, and latter Mr R Proude, J Rutherford, Martyn and Love, and Mr Bairds caretaker Mr J Donnelly. As the district had no name except Williamson’s Clearing, a meeting of the settlers was held for the purpose of giving the settlement a name, and it was decided unanimously to call it Bombay, after the good ship which had brought us safely through storm and tempest to our destination.

Thomas Jones: Disembarked, given a ceremony of welcome. Set off by dray or cart for Onehunga, billeted at the Barracks. They sailed by ship’s boats or sailing barges across the Manukau Harbour and along a tidal river to Drury military base. 3 days, approx 25 miles. The settlers established a temporary camp near the barracks of Captain Jackson and garrison troops & a troop of Von Tempsky’s Forest Rangers. Moved out to claim promised allotments. Most whares sited near bush streams. Sparsely furnished, dirt floors, poorly lit. Water carried in tins for washing & bathing. Baths meant a squat & splash in a tin basin. Built a whare for Ann & family on the land. Plain, oblong log hut thatched with nikau palm fronds. At one end a huge fireplace lined with clay or rocks, with a small doorway at the side & three walls plugged with moss & clay. 23 September 1866 • Rama Rama Church Marked the opening of the Bombay Presbyterian Church. The first church in Bombay. On land known as Bairds Hill, gratuitously given by Mrs Rutherford (Excerpt) The chapel was opened by Rev J Hill. Fortnightly Services. Seat upwards of 100 people. February 1870 • British troops withdraw. 12 May 1870.