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Annandale Past and Present 1839-1900

Chapter XXI. — Home Relatives

page 230

Chapter XXI.
Home Relatives

Until 1866, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. John Hay and James their brother, the numerous Home relatives of the Hay family unknown to them except through the medium of correspondence and photographs infrequently exchanged. The arrival therefore at Annandale of the first pair of Scotch cousins towards the end of 1866 was hailed an event of unusual interest and excitement. This young couple were married in Londonderry, Ireland, just before; sailing for New Zealand, and were son and daughter respectively of Mrs. Hay's two eldest sisters Jean (Mrs. Caldwell) and Elizabeth (Mrs. Aitken). After some stay at Annandale they began colonial life on Tekapo Station, which Mr. Caldwell managed until it was sold a year or two later. Again they came to Pigeon Bay', till they got a place of their own at French Farm, Peninsula. Here they were joined in 1869 by Mrs. Caldwell, senr., Mr. and Mrs. Reid (Mrs. Caldwell's eldest daughter), and family. They were followed a year later by Mr. and Mrs. Hunter (Mrs. Caldwell's youngest daughter). This young couple settled a few miles from the Reid family, who had by this time bought "Toreros," Wainui. The first-named cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Caldwell, again moved south to Ashburton, where they were joined in 1875 by Mrs. Caldwell's father, mother and brother, Mr. and page 231Mrs. Aitken, and Mr. Aitken, junr. Finally Mr. and Mrs. T. Caldwell went to the North Island—Tologa Bay—where they still remain, their family now grown up.

Surrounded as we are now by relatives, it will be difficult for our young people to understand the feelings of keen delight with which those aunts and cousins were received at Annandale. At last the gulfs of time and distance were bridged when Mrs. Hay could clasp her sisters by the hand! Need we say her welcome of each arrival was heartfelt? Mrs. Caldwell, senr., stayed a good deal with Mrs. Hay during the first years after her arrival. She was a typical Scotch character, comical, elever, full of "pawky" humors and romance, but her vocabulary was puzzling to the young "Maoris." Her droll stories and interest in young people made her popular with them. Both she and Mrs. Aitken outlived Mrs. Hay 10 or 12 years; they died within a short time of each other, at the age of 81 and so respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have been settled at Cust for many years, and are well-known and esteemed in that district. The licit! family still have the Wainui home, but the death of Mrs. Reid in October, 1893, left a great blank in their midst. She was much beloved for her many good works, and mourned by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Reid, who lived to a great age, died in April, 1899, at his son's residence in Wainui. His two daughters had—a few years before his death—joined the China Inland Mission, and soon after their mother's death set sail for China with a band of lady missionaries from New Zealand and Melbourne. They are now stationed in the Province, of Gan-Hwuy, devoting their lives to the spread of the Gospel in that dark land."*

* At this date, 1901 the Misses Reid, with other missionaries, are in safe quarters at Shanghai, awaiting the conclusion of the Boxer rebellion, when they may safely return to their Stations. Many of the missionaries, alas, have laid down their lives during the past year—one of bloodshed, terror, and suffering to them all, which only their love and faith in their God could give them courage to endure.

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We have been making strides over a length of years in sketching the arrival and subsequent careers of these relatives in New Zealand, and must go hack now to pick up the thread of our story. In 1869, Tom showed symptoms of chest weakness the result of overwork partly, and a cold caught after measles when a lad. He had hardly recovered from that disease, when one day he stole out to see a new arrival in the stockyard, viz., a calf! He paid dearly for his thoughtlessness, for the relapse left asthmatic tendencies, which became chronic, though not severe. His illness at this time took the form of hemorrhage of the lungs, which alarmed Mrs. Hay, unused as she was to delicacy in her family. Dr. Turnbull, of Christchurch, promptly ordered him a long sea voyage, and, acting with characteristic energy, Tom lost no time in setting forth on a visit to the Old Country in quest of health, with a soupcon of business simmering in his brain, to add zest to his journey! It was with anxious hearts Mrs. Hay and the family said farewell to him one busy morning in November, 1869. In those days of long voyages in sailing ships, it was a trial to the faith and patience to see one go forth in weak bodily health to cross the great sea, the future all unknown. "He went via Melbourne, staved there seven weeks, and consulted Dr. Fitzgerald (now Sir T. N Fitzgerald), who even then had a high reputation in that city. He continued Dr. Turnbull's opinion, which was a grave one, of the case. Tom embarked on his voyage, feeling depressed as to the result, for lie had not derived any benefit from his stay in Melbourne. It was, not long, however, till he felt the pure ozone of the ocean invigorating him. In 28 days he had gained exactly 28 lbs., and his weight materially increased after that before he landed in England. This personal experience made him-ever afterwards an advocate of the efficacy of a voyage in cases of chest delicacy, if taken in time. In his page 233case it was a complete cure of the lung weakness, only the asthmatic tendency remained.

On arriving in England he joined his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Aitken, at Matlock Bank Hydropathical Establishment (they were staying there for summer holidays), where he spent some weeks, receiving, treatment from Mr. Smedley, then head of the place. Afterwards he visited the quaint old town of Poole, Dorsetshire, where dwelt "Uncle Tom" (Rev. Thomas Orr), a familiar and beloved name amongst the elders of our family circle, both at Home and in New Zealand, as also is the twin name, "Uncle William." These uncles (mentioned at the beginning of our story) were both men of genial character. "Uncle Tom" was a Congregational Minister in Poole at the time of which we writing. Soon after this he was called to Windsor, where he laboured for many years, and became known and respected by the Queen as "John Brown's" minister, and of others of her household besides. He was at the death-bed of the Queen's favorite "gillie "John Brown, and his prayer at the funeral so touched Her Majesty, who was present, that she burst into tears, and, warmly grasping his hand, asked for a copy of the prayer; it was an extempore prayer, but uncle recalled it as verbatim as possible and gave it to Her Majesty, who after wards had it printed. In remembrance of that day the Queen presented uncle with a handsome family Bible, and wrote his name therein with her own hand. She also gave him a large framed photograph of herself, and showed him and his family many kindnesses besides. This dear old uncle retired from the ministry many years ago, and lived in Crouch End, London (his sons being in business in the City) until his death in October, 1895. Many reminiscences are called up to the writer by the mention of his name, of happy young days spent in his genial company and page 234that of his good wife, who was famed for her beauty. She still resides in London with her sons and daughters.

The other uncle—William—was as good a character, though differently circumstanced through life. He was an excellent farmer—too good to be a successful one in those days of high rents and game-infested country. His fine, true nature made him beloved by all who knew him, equally with his large-hearted, capable wife. In their home also Tom was warmly welcomed. At that date, 1869, Uncle William had Kirkland's Farm, Kirkoswald, on the Carrick shore, Ayrshire—a place made famous by Burns' "Tam o' Shanter" and "Soutar Johnnie." Descendants of these worthies (or, rather, of their originals) still live in Kirk Oswald, and, strange to say, some have found their way out to Canterbury, New Zealand. The late Mr. Douglas Graham, who is mentioned in our Riccarton chapter, and who 'managed the late Mr. Deans' estate (during Mr. John Deans' minority) until his death in 1872, was a grandson and namesake of Tam o' Chanter (whose real name was Douglas Graham), and there are others of the same family and circle in New Zealand.

Near the old village of Kirk Oswald is the 'quaint little town of Maybole, so called from the dreary dungeon or "keep," where one of the ancient wicked marquises of Ailza (or Ailsa) imprisoned his beautiful and innocent wife, May (Marion), for years on a false charge. The round keep, or tower of the old castle, is in ruins, but is all that remains of one of the oldest castles in Scotland. When the writer last saw this old-world ruin (over 25 years ago) the "bole," through which the poor May tried in vain to look on the outer world, was still to be seen, a narrow slit in the thick wall of the dungeon tower. Our memories of Kirklands Farm and surroundings are associated with many grim tales of past ages, when smugglers and freebooters did dark page 235daring deeds; indeed, the whole district seemed to transport one back through the centuries, for everything betokened age; even the customs of the place suggested the habitudes of olden times. Merry memories, too, surround the dear old farm, as we look back through the vista of years. But we are dwelling too long on the glories that have departed, and losing our thread again.

A few years after Tom's visit Home our Uncle William died, and Kirklands ever afterwards had the saddest associations for Aunt, who was left with a large young family. Soon after that they sold out of the farm, and the two eldest girls, Eliza and Hannah Orr, bravely came out to New Zealand alone, and prepared a home for their mother and the others. They are nearly all now settled happily in or near Christchurch, most of the large family married and prosperous. It was with our good Aunt, Mrs. Orr, that the last remaining member of the old Orr family, "Aunt Mary," lived to the end of her long life. Mrs. Orr herself is now the last link that binds us to the far past, being the only one surviving of the last generation in our family circle.

To return to Tom, whom we left making the acquaintance of his various Home relatives: His health having improved, he combined business with pleasure, and travelled all over England, Scotland, and Ireland, visiting the most important cattle counties, shows, and grazing farms. Amongst the rest he visited Mr. Booth's famous cattle-farm in Yorkshire, where he got a fund of useful information on one of the most interesting subjects to him: viz., the rearing of pure-bred shorthorn cattle. All the sight-seeing he did was in pursuing these journeys, which, fortunately, took him through some of the finest Scottish scenery. He spent some weeks with his Uncle Robert at Midbuiston Farm, where he felt thoroughly at home (as at page 236Kirklands). This fine old man—.Mr. Hay of Midbuiston—was, at the 'late of Tom's visit, hale and hearty, and his welcome was as t hat of a father to a son. Tom ever held this uncle in the warmest esteem—a feeling that was shared in by each and all of the Hay family, when they too received his welcome to the old country. Through him Tom found out his numerous aunts and cousins on the Hay side (he being the only uncle surviving), and visited them all. Those he knew best, however, were the Midbuiston cousins, and Mr. William and Miss Hay, of Glasgow, brother and sister of Messrs, John and dames Hay, of Temuka Mr. and Miss Hay of Glasgow* have ever extended a warm welcome to their New Zealand relatives on all occasions, and are deservedly popular with all, old and young.

It was in May,1870, that this New Zealand cousin, an object of interest, because the first of his kind ever seen or known amongst us, reached Scotland and became a familiar figure in the homes, both town and country, of his relatives. His head-quarters, when in Scotland, was in Glasgow, the home of the writer's parents. There and then was begun the lifelong friendship between the families of Hay and Guthrie, which has since culminated in three marriages.

For the sake of those of our "clan" who are descended from Jr. Guthrie, it seems to us right to give a short sketch also of his career, which, though in a very different line of life from Mr. Hay's, was an equally noble one, and as worthy of imitation. We shall therefore, at this point, devote a, few pages to these grand-parents, before continuing to follow the fortunes of our New Zealander at Home.

* Mr. Hay has recently died.