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Annandale Past and Present 1839-1900

Chapter XXVIII. — "Ora-iti." The New Annandale

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Chapter XXVIII.
"Ora-iti." The New Annandale.

Only those who have lost their homes by the sudden visitation of fire or flood can understand what it means to set about making a new one, without even a carpet tack to begin with! This difficulty, however, was more easily solved for us than we could have imagined possible, as we shall see. Meantime we were enforced prisoners at the hotel till Friday noon (20th August), which was the first day after our disaster that the steamer could face the sea The day of the landslip (Wednesday, 18th) she started as usual, but the captain was forced to turn back at Lyttelton Heads, on account of the immense seas rolling in, the only time such a thing had happened since the steamer began her trips. In the circumstances this delay was especially trying. Our first care was to get to town (in borrowed garments) and provide clothing for the family and servants. Hay Brothers by this time had pulled themselves together, and made out their list of tools and necessaries for the building of a wool-shed and yards at once. The question, "Where were we to live?" had to remain in abeyance until this most necessary work was done. It was now near the end of August, the shearing would begin in October, and there was not a pen nor yards for the sheep, nor any place to shear them. The lost wool-shed, page 304yards and dip Hay Brothers had planned and improved from time to time, in accordance with their own ideas of practical utility. Thus they were able to design a new steading, with every improvement known to them, and at once began operations.

"With a gang of energetic workers the yards were soon fenced out, and a wool-shed in course of erection. That summer's work extended from dawn to dark; our breakfast
Site of Annandale After Landslip—The New Woolshed, 1888.

Site of Annandale After Landslip—The New Woolshed, 1888.

hour was 5 o'clock for three or four months! and tea was never before 8 or 9 o'clock; but they had the-satisfaction of shearing most of the sheep in the new shed, which repaid them for their effort to finish in time. Through the kindness of our neighbour, Mr. Menzies, the first lots of sheep—those on the run, therefore nearest that gentleman's station—were shorn in his shed, and by that time the new premises were ready for the others.
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Meantime some of us were quartered at the Glen, some at "Brookshaw" (the home, then, of our old friends the Kay family), and one or two of our bachelors at the hotel, until we could find time to think of a future home. This question was happily settled for us by the landlord of the hotel offering to forego his lease and vacate the house "for a consideration." It was such a convenience to have a house ready to take immediate possession of that we gladly accepted his terms, and within a month of our disaster we found ourselves once more under our own roof-tree.

We had no choice but to make the best of our bare and bald surroundings, and persuade ourselves that the old articles, which again became our own, were as comfortable as the pretty new things that lay buried with the treasures of our old home. Thus "Fortune's wheel" revolves, and it was well for us just then that the revolutions were rapid, we had the less time to indulge fruitless regrets. Yet it seemed as if we never should sound the depths of our losses, nor cease to feel pangs of regret as one after another of the lost home treasures would be recalled to mind with ever the same lament, "gone in the slip." How we missed the many conveniences and comforts, the result of years of careful thought and management! But hard work is the best antidote for trouble of mind, and under active duty we strove to stifle vain longings for the mere things we had lost. How much more deeply might not grief have ploughed our hearts had not God mercifully spared every life? Over and above every other feeling rose heartfelt thankfulness to the "Giver of every good and perfect gift," that we could still hold to our hearts our living treasures, the dear children, who in their bright innocence proved our greatest comforters. In times of adversity we learn to know the real value of true friendship. We can never forget how we were cheered and comforted by each and all of our family circle, and our many good friends at that time.

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Auntie Hannah came, according to her wont, as the "Ministering Angel" of our households, to give us her practical advice and help in the arranging of our new home. For months after the slip we were getting things brought to us from the beach, and were much indebted to our kind friends and neighbours in the Bay, both for finding and cleaning them. Of the things found, all that were of any future use were some odd blankets and napery, a few mattresses, and pillows. These last we had cleaned and re-covered; they were all out of the nursery, bachelors' and servants' rooms in the back part of the house, the better things in the front bed-rooms being all burnt.

Amongst the dæbris were found a few burnt bits of our new table silver, which had arrived from Home with a case of new house-linen only three weeks before the slip. The napery we never saw a vestige of. Had we left the package of silver for three days longer in the safe where it was first put away, we should have found it all uninjured.* The only books recognisable were a pictorial Bible (Cobbin's), and one volume of a quaint old book called the "English Dance of Death," illustrated very curiously in Hogarth's style; this last we had re-bound. The Bible was too far gone, but, though dilapidated, we keep it. These books are prized as the only relics that remain to us of our once valuable library. Tom Hay's watch, which had been his father's, was found by Edwin seven months after the slip, strange to say, preserved from utter ruin by being rolled in the folds of the bedroom carpet, which did not burn completely through. The works were quite spoiled with the heat, but the gold case and Albert chain were uninjured. It was subsequently sent Home and refitted with works, and is now a more than ever valued watch.

Had it not been for the fire, many articles found (chiefly by Edwin, who was most lucky in unearthing relics) would page 307have been worth keeping, but, as it was, the most valuable of our goods were destroyed by fire before the house was swept away, as the heaps of charred remains we found thrown up on the beach amply testified. This made us feel more the injustice of the Insurance Company's action in refusing to meet our claim, their excuse being that we had not given the required 21 days' notice. This was a quibble on their part, as their agent informed us no formal notice would be required in our case. The full claim was not expected, but Hay Brothers felt entitled to at least half the amount. They had insured everything in that company only for fully twenty years—ever since the company's formation in New Zealand, and they felt therefore that they had not been well treated in the matter. Had the full insurance been paid it would have been very inadequate to cover the loss, which they computed to be not less than £8000. They were insured for about £3000 as far as can be recalled now. Needless to say, all connection with that company ended from that date. As if in compensation for the monetary loss, the next two years proved more than usually successful in regard to the price of wool.

Through the energy of "Uncle Bob" the paddock, in the centre of which our new home stood, was soon dug up, a garden and orchard laid out, and trees planted. The outside plantation of pines, firs, etc. (planted when the house was built) was beginnfng to show some growth, and in a few years it afforded good shelter. Soon flower garden and lawn were made; the growth of years has completed the transformation scene, and now—"after long years "—it is "home" once more, even in name. "Ora-iti" was but a temporary name, chosen for its meaning—"narrow escape"—and retained only until we knew no other "Annandale" would be likely to be built in Pigeon Bay.

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"Ora-iti." The New Annandale 1898

"Ora-iti." The New Annandale 1898

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Eighteen months after our disaster Robert Hay proposed to his sisters Hannah and Mrs. Pilliet that they three should take a trip Home. They went via San Francisco, stopping at Honolulu to spend a month in the Sandwich Islands with their old friends, the Sinclairs and Gays, from whom they received a warm welcome. They thoroughly explored the wonders of the great Kilau, and other places of interest, and were much taken with some of the customs of the place. The mode of capturing horses and cattle by "lassooing" them was specially interesting to Robert and his sisters, as it had been to James. They greatly admired the agility and daring displayed by the young generation of Sinclair descent (the Messrs. Gay and Robinson) in stock-riding with the "lassoo." Mrs. Sinclair, senr., was alive then, and, although almost 90 years of age, a most energetic, clever old lady. They also visited Mr. and Mrs. James Gay at Oahu, where their home was. Mr. Gay's death occurred a few years after this time. They had a delightful trip through America, visiting Yosemite Valley, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Niagara, New York, &c. At Niagara, where they remained a few days, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes and his wife were in the same hotel, and they enjoyed much pleasant intercourse with the charming old man, whose "Breakfast Table" talk was as delightful to listen to as to read.

After a good time spent in England and Scotland they had an enjoyable trip to the Continent, where they had a "real good time," as well as some ludicrous adventures through incompatibility of tongues! Mrs. Pilliet's knowledge of French proved sufficient for the wants of the party, however, and they managed to see the sights. On returning to London to prepare for their homeward voyage, a change of programme confronted them, altering the future of one of the trio. Mrs. Pilliet was induced to remain and make her future home in Glasgow, under a page 310new name. She became Mrs. William Guthrie Gardiner, her husband being one of Gardiner Bros., ship-brokers, Glasgow, fourth son of Dr. Andrew Gardiner, late of Dean Street U.P. Church, Edinburgh. This marriage has connected the three families, Gardiner, Guthrie and Hay still more closely by bringing the cousins on both sides of the Guthrie family into one circle.

Dr. Gardiner, our dear old uncle, ever a favourite for his genial, kindly nature, his originality and the wit that out-flowed so irrepressibly in his humorous talk, was by this time getting aged, and had retired some years previously from active work. His love of learning was as keen in age as in youth, and his greatest delight in these closing years of his life was to be amongst his grandchildren, storing their young minds with the treasures of his own ripe culture. He had lost his beloved wife, our Aunt Jane, about 10 or 11 years before this time. In a short memoir of her life sent out to us—and unfortunately gone in the Landslip of 1886—we recall the following lines, which aptly express her character as minister's wife and mother—

"She was a Mary in the Lord's House, a Martha in her own." So loved was she in church and home!

In connection with this uncle and family we must not omit the name of "old Lizzie," their first servant in the manse of Kincardine, when in the early forties uncle took his bride home. She was a typical domestic of the old school (alas! now so rare), who became through her own merits, friend as well as servant. She never severed her connection with "the family," but continued all her life an inmate of their home, in which she had her own rooms. She became blind latterly, and in her age and helplessness received every care and attention from "the family" she loved so well, all of whom she had nursed in by-gone days. page 311This faithful old woman, who survived her master a year or more, was, despite her affliction, ever happy and contented.

We have to record about this time—1890—the sudden death of our dear Aunt Eliza—Mrs. Barnet, of Kinross—our father's and Mrs. Gardiner's younger sister, whose bright charm of mind and manner remains an ever green memory with us. In the well-remembered old "Cottage" of Kinross, the thought of which recalls many happy days gone by, where once a large, merry family party were gathered; now only two remain—father and daughter, who live for each other. It is to the kindness of our cousin Eliza—Miss Barnet—we are indebted for photographs of the birthplace of our father—Milnathort—and its romantic neighbourhood.

Our good old uncle, Mr. Barnet, one of a very few of the old generation remaining now, still conducts his paper, the Kinross-shire Advertiser, of which he is editor and proprietor. Three years ago, viz., in 1897, he celebrated the jubilee of the Advertiser in Kinross, where a banquet was held, attended by many local and literary "lions." It was a noteworthy event, the Advertiser being then the only paper in Scotland that had not changed hands nor had its name altered for upwards of fifty years. We have in our possession, a copy of the paper in the infant stage, of date, February 2nd, 1847. The accompanying one, dated February 13th, 1897, was the jubilee number.

The return of our two travellers, Auntie Hannah and Uncle Robert, was quickly followed by the Home-going, early in 1890, of Mr. and Mrs. James Hay and their son Campbell, then about four years of age. They spent the summer months in Kirn with Mrs. Campbell and her daughters, for whose sakes chiefly the trip was taken. Towards the end of 1890 they returned to New Zealand. Shortly before this time our two old aunts, Aitken and page 312Caldwell, passed peacefully away within a few months of each other, both rather suddenly, at the age of 80 and 81 respectively. Old Mr. Aitken soon afterwards fell down dead on the Ashburton Railway station, from heart failure, on his way home after paying a visit to his Wainui and Pigeon Bay friends. Thus the lamp of life burns low and then goes out, to wake to a brighter glow beyond our ken. On the day this old man left us, which was the day before his sudden death, Neil Guthrie, then eight years of age, met with a serious accident on Holmes' Run, which almost proved fatal. He was riding with his Uncles Robert and Edwin, when he was thrown from his horse and dragged some distance, his foot having stuck fast in the stirrup. He was carried home in his Uncle Robert's arms, in an unconscious state, and remained so for some days. There was little hope of his life at first, his injuries were so severe; but to the intense thankfulness of his parents and all friends, the little fellow gradually and completely recovered. When the accident happened the maids alone were at home, but our good, faithful Sofia (our Finn housemaid) endeared herself to all by her unremitting care of patient and household, both before his mother and aunts arrived to nurse him, and throughout the weeks that followed. Sofia is remembered with affection by us each and all.

It was about the year 1888 that Hay Brothers first began dehorning cattle, and being the very first to attempt this operation in New Zealand, they brought upon themselves a storm of invectives from friends and foes alike, who all charged them with cruelty. Being convinced they prevented more cruelty than they inflicted by the operation, Hay Brothers persevered, making it their business to find out and secure the most expeditious instruments invented for the purpose. Their first operation page 313was done by means of a saw, but they soon heard of a more suitable instrument—an American invention—which they adopted and improved upon, so as to secure an instantaneous and clean operation. The idea first occurred to them on seeing how the animals fared at each other's horns, on being driven to town in mobs, or pent up in trucks or pens. Out of one lot of forty fat cattle driven to Belfast Freezing Works, seven quarters were condemned as unfit for use, entirely through the cattle being horned by each other on the road. One poor animal, a mass of wounds arid bruises, was rejected entirely and destroyed.

There was such a hue and cry about it at first that Hay Brothers were prepared to defend an action should one be brought against them. They were not summoned, but one day two policemen appeared at the yards to warn Hay Brothers and report on the condition of the cattle. Seeing the newly dehorned animals quietly feeding and showing no signs of suffering, they had nothing unfavourable to report. Again the Inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Christchurch—Mr. Reginald Foster—came down to see and judge for himself, so as to report to the Society. On his return to town he wrote for the Christchurch "Press" a full description of the mode of operation, the instruments used, and the results, as shown by the satisfactory condition of the cattle. After this much correspondence ensued in the public prints, for and against. Many stock owners and dairy farmers came to see for themselves, and, in most cases, those who were opposed to the operation changed their views. The fact that Mr. Foster approved of it did much to satisfy the public mind.

Since then it has become recognised as a humane operation by most owners of stock, while it is observed that dairy cows settle down to a quieter and more thriving page 314condition on being deprived of their weapons of warfare. It has now become usual on the Peninsula, and Hay Brothers often perform it for neighbours. The first performance, after taking delivery of new cattle is the
Colombo Street, Christchurch, 1888.

Colombo Street, Christchurch, 1888.

branding and dehorning of them; then they are taken to their fattening paddocks. Needless to say, the operation is less severe on young animals than on full grown or old ones. All purchasers of fat cattle for slaughtering testify to the benefit to the beef by the operation of dehorning.

* Soon after the slip, we were presented with a complete set of table silver, and an illuminated address—a handsome testimonial from old friends.