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'Carisbrooke Castle'

The following is a transcript from the - Daily Southern Cross.  The ship Carisbrooke Castle, 1,113 tons, chartered by New Zealand Shipping Co.arrived in Auckland on  8 September 1875. She had previously came out to Lyttelton in 1874 under Captain Freebody.

Daily Southern Cross, 9 September 1875, Page 2
ARRIVALS. Carisbrook Castle, ship, 1,113 tons, J. Freebody, from Belfast June 8. Passengers — Saloon: Mr. Hunter, Arthur Fisher, Dr. and Mrs. Button, Mr. and Mrs. Vesey Stewart, Messrs. Stewart, Mervyn Stewart, George Stewart and family, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Hoyte, Messrs. Hoyte (3), Misses Hoyte (3), Mr. Farnall. Second cabin : Mr. and Mrs. Goss and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. A list of the special settlers and immigrants appears elsewhere in to-day's issue. — New Zealand Shipping Co., agents.

ARRIVAL OF THE CARISBROOK CASTLE. This fine ship arrived yesterday forenoon from Liverpool, via Belfast, and anchored in the stream, having been knocking about the coast for three day previously, prevented by the prevailing calms and light airs of wind from making her number before. The Carisbrook Castle brings out 150 Government immigrants and 238 special ones, selected by Mr. Vesey Stewart, for the Katikati Settlement. Mr. Vesey Stewart and family are passengers by her, and there are several others in the saloon, including Mr. Farnall, besides a number of second-class passengers. The following report was obligingly furnished to our reporter, on boarding the vessel, by the chief officer, Mr. Milman : — Left Belfast on June 8, experienced strong S.W. and westerly winds until June 17, when latitude 39° north wan reached. Picked up the N.E. trades in latitude 34° north, which were carried to latitude 9° north. The weather proved remarkably fair. The equator was crossed on July 6.... Dr Button, the surgeon-superintendent. Every praise was awarded to Mrs Collier, for strict order.

The Carisbrooke Castle is an iron vessel, and was built in 1868, to the order of Messrs Barclay and Currie, London, at Glasgow. The ship came out last year to Lyttelton with immigrants under the same command as she is at present.
List of births and deaths which occurred on the present voyage:
Births: June 10, Mrs Annie Mallon, of a son
June 29, Mrs Mary J. Haslet, of a daughter
August 2, Mrs Loch, of a daughter
August 10, Mrs Wylie, of a daughter
August 23, Mrs George, of a son
Deaths:
July 15, Maud Irvine, aged 5 months, daughter of Mr C.A. Irvine, special settler, of debility
August 11, Thomas Freebody Wiley, jun., special settler of diarrhoea.

SPECIAL SETTLERS. Families.—
George and Margaret Stewart and six children;
William and Sarah Stewart;
Stephen and Emma Goss and six children
Thomas and Margaret Leach and three children
Jos. J. and E. Wylie
Stewart and Margaret Rea and four children
Jos. and Jane O'Brien and four children ;
Samuel and Jane O'Brien and child
Thomas J. and Eliza J. Dunne
Arthur and Margaret Stuart and two children
Jos. and Eliza Hyd_ and three children
H. 0. and M. Hoyte and two children
A. and M. Irvine and three children
Philip Deadman and wife
Richard and Jane Rorke
Hugh A.[Nesbitt] and Jane Elizaneth Latimer [nee Clare] and three children. [Settled at 'Ferndale in Katikati for a while]
Thomas and Mary J. Sandford and child
Thomas and Annie Wylie and two children
Jos. S. and M. A. Wylie and Elizabeth Wilson and four children ;
F. and I. Louch and three children
Thomas H. and Grace Fletcher and four children
William and Mary Preston and two children
William and Mary Andrews and five children
Thomas and Margaret Crawford and four children
William and Mary A. Trimble
Alexander and Mary Turner and child
Rev. M. E. and Annabella Mulligan and two children
John and Elizabeth Mulgren and child
Noble and Eliza Johnston and four children.

SINGLE Men.—
C., M., and G. Stewart
J. C. P. and S. W. Goss
John, Lawrence
J. H. O'Brien
John Murdock
Charles Dunne
Robert, William, and Thomas Stuart
E. G. and W. H. Hyde
William Molley
C. A. and F. A. Hoyte
James E. Rorke
John C. Latimer
William Watt and Joseph Wylie
John and Ernest Louch
J. and R. Fletcher
Moses Preston
Joseph McCarter
W. H. Trimble
Alexander and John Twiner
Edward R. and W. Thomas Muligan [sic] [Mulgrew]
John De Cock
Andrew, William, John, Andrew, Richard, and James Wilson
Rev. J. and Arthur Cressley
George and John Thompson
William J. Mulgren

Single Women.—
M. J. Macgregor
Emily and Caras Cressley
Amelia Freige
Agnes Craig
Marian, Mary, and Mary E. Goss
Henrietta and Mary J. Goss
E. C. and A. Dunne
E. and M. Mulgren
E. S. and R. Stuart
Hannah, Maria J., Eliza S., and Louisa Hyde
Margaret and Sarah Johnston
Mary Norris
Jane E. and Margaret E. Hoyte
Eliza J. Horke
E. J. Latimer
Catherine Weir
Mary J., Frances, and Annie Wylie
Martha H. Hall
E., S., B., and M. Louch
Grace and Rosetta Fletcher
Annie Andrews
Mary S. Scholas
Josephine Crawford
Eliza, Mary A., Fanny, Nell, and Kate Trimble
Sarah, Catherine, and Mary J. Turne
A. M., Maria J., and L. R. Mulgan
Annie, Mary J., Martha, Sarah M., and Amelia Wilson
Annie De Cock
Fanny, Mary, and Sweeney Collier.
Summary.— Male adults, 74 ; female adults, 91;
male children, 30;- female children, 39; infants, 4.
Total, 238 souls - equal to 199½ statute adults.

IMMIGRANTS. Families.—
Thomas and Ruth Briggs
Peter and Eliza Clarkson and four children
David and Eliza Carr
William and Rachel Darragh and four children
Daniel and Margaret, George, John, and Mary Haslett and one child
Joseph and Margaret Fleming and five children
James and Margaret Halfpenny and one child
John and Catherine McLaughlin
John and Jane Stewart and two children

Single Men. —
Joseph and Matthew Fleming
Joseph Halfpenny
Thomas Stewart.

Single Women.  —
Eliza Ormiston
Annie Ball
Mary A. Brines
Sarah Bradford
Ellen Biars
Martha Boyle
Isabella Brophy
Lucy Buny
Lizzie Burns
Emily Beasely
Madeline Beasley
Ellen Frances Beasley
Jane Clarke
Catherine Collins
Anna M. Devine
Mary A. Dunn
Ellen Fleming
Mary Farrelly
Winifred Fitzsimon
Eliza Forster
Elizabeth Feir
Jane Fagen
Dora Graham
Isabel M. Grange
Maria Goode
Bridget Goode
Susan Graham
Eliza Hedger
Eliza Hogan
Rebecca Knox
Mary Lynch
Ellen Leahy
Mary McBrien
Beatrice M. Maxwell
Susan and Kate McKoy (2)
Rebecca D. and Ellie C. Moore
Maggie McCortney
Fanny McMaster
Sarah Mulvena
Margaret McKeown
Jane McIntyre
Anne McLean
Mary Nesbitt
Mary Nelson
Eliza O'Neill
Ellen Poots
Marcella Scally
Jane Starling
Anne Spence
Mary A. Thomson
Matilda and Annie Wilson
Sarah Kyle
Harriet Daw
Margaret Kelly
Olivia Mulligan
Elizabeth Henderson
Mary J. Doherty
Margaret Irvine
Sarah Irvine
Margaret Irvine
Catherine Laycock
Emily Fleming
Margaret Fleming
Mary Halfpenny
Isabella Halfpenny;
total, 21 female adults, 85 male adults, 11 male children, 7 female children, 1 infant ; total, 125 souls.

Trades and Occupations. — General labourers, 7 ; farm labourers, 8 ; ploughmen, 2 ; carpenter, 1 ; woolen weaver, 1 ; nursemaids, 9 ; servants, 32; dairymaids, 3; housemaids, 8; cooks, 2 ; seamstress, 1 ; governesses, 3 ; teacher 1 ; housekeeper, 1. Nationality.— English, 2 ; Irish, 120; Welsh, 2 ; German, 1 ; total, 125 souls.

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1875, Page 2
It is reported that an ex M.H.R. and immigration agent has issued a writ for damages against the captain of the Carisbrooke Castle for detaining a love letter to one of the single girls, written during the voyage, and accidentally dropped. The letter was handed over by the captain to the Government Agent at Auckland on arrival.

North Otago Times, 30 September 1875, Page 2
An Auckland exchange says :— A singular phenomenon was witnessed on the voyage of the ship Carisbrooke Castle, which arrived here from Belfast on the 8th. On the 24th June the ship passed a patch of white water of about a mile in extent, and with a clearly defined margin.

Daily Southern Cross, 17 August 1875, Page 2
The Carisbrooke Castle had a fine class of emigrant. It was circulated in Belfast they were taking out among them £25,000 but the truth of this, I have no doubt, you will obtain from the able pen of Samuel Cochrane, the agent, there.

Daily Southern Cross, 21 August 1875, Page 2
THE SHIP CARISBROOKE CASTLE FOR AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.
The final inspection of the passengers in this ship was made yesterday by officials representing the Imperial and Colonial Governments, and was very satisfactory. On mustering, all appeared in excellent health, and very happy and comfortable. They seemed quite familiar with the arrangements, and at dinner and tea hours, when the mess numbers were called, the responses were made with great alacrity. There is an unusually large number of first and second cabin passengers, and the latter "mess" exactly as do those in the steerage, being divided into parties of eight, one of whom receives the cooked provisions and distributes them among the "mess." Some of the young ladies anticipate amusing occupation as captain of their mess, and no doubt the duties will help to beguile the tediousness of so long a voyage. The Carisbrooke Castle is a handsome and commodious ship, and elegantly furnished in her principal cabins, the second cabins and steerage being plainly but comfortably fitted, and well lighted and ventilated. She is provided with eight boats, and with all the requirements of the Board of Trade for the prevention of accidents. In the course of the inspection, orders were unexpectedly given by Captain Smith, R.N., to lower certain boats, and the celerity with which the order was obeyed was highly creditable to the officers and crew. At another stage, an alarm was given of "a man overboard," when instantly lifebuoys were thrown out in the supposed direction, a boat manned and lowered, buoys picked up, and the boat in her place again in a very few minutes. Soon afterwards an alarm of fire was raised, when the crew fell into their quarters, the engines and hose manned, armed men placed at the hatchways, and means adopted for extinguishing the supposed fire. It is intended that these manoeuvres shall occasionally be repeated during the voyage for the purpose of maintaining discipline among the crew, and inspiring confidence among the passengers. The New Zealand Shipping Company, by whom this ship is chartered for the voyage, have spared no expense to endeavour to give satisfaction to the passengers. The provisioning in on the most liberal scale, and the abundant supply of live stock, consisting of sheep, poultry, &c, indicator the desire of the charterers that nothing shall be wanting on their party promote the comfort of the passengers. The "clearing" of the ship was not completed till nearly nine o'clock, when, most of the passengers being assembled on deck to bid good-bye to their friends, Mr, G. V. Stewart, ascending the poop-ladder, expressed, on behalf himself and his fellow-voyagers, the extreme satisfaction which they felt by the completeness of the arrangements which had been made for them, and moved a vote of thanks to Captain Smith, R.N., the New Zealand Government officer under whose superintendence the arrangements were made, when the hearty cheers of the passengers expressed their cordial concurrence. Captain Smith, in replying, gave some excellent counsel to the passengers as to the means of preserving their health during the voyage and making the passage agreeable. The usual hearty cheers for Mr. Samuel Cochrane, though local agent for New Zealand Government emigration, were given, and messages sent to " the people of Belfast" that the passengers of the Carisbrooke Castle were leaving home hopeful and happy . The officials and visitors having embarked in the Shamrock about 9.30 p.m., parting cheers were exchanged, and orders given to prepare the Carisbrooke Castle for sea. While it is a subject of much regret that our country is losing so many persons of the classes which have embarked in the Carisbrooke Castle, it will be a source of satisfaction that the voyage of this ship has commenced so auspiciously. The ship is said to be one of the finest afloat, and Captain Freebody, who commands her, is worthy of the ship. The public will watch the result of this adventure with much interest, and the voyagers carry with them the hearty good wishes for the success in the new  "Stewart Settlement" of Katikati. — Northern Whig, June 8.

Bay Of Plenty Times, 4 January 1901, Page 2
It is my painful duty and more especially during the present festive season, to chronicle the death, at the age of 77, of Mrs Dunne, mother of our worthy local constable and linesman, Mr Dunne, who passed away quietly on Thursday and was buried on Friday. Dr. Porter, of Waihi, was in attendance, but at his last visit about a week ago could give no hope of her recovery, and directed his exertions to provide remedies to ease and alleviate bodily pain during the few surviving days of her possible existence. Mrs Dunne was one of the original settlers, coming hero with her husband and family in the Carisbrooke Castle on formation of the No 1 Party, and hailed from Dublin. The funeral was very largely attended, every settler being present or represented. Previous to the body being' consigned to its last resting place, impressive addresses were delivered by General Stoddard, Capt. Tovey-Tennent and the deceased's husband, who is a member of the Plymouth Brethren, which were marked by respectful and earnest attention.

Bay Of Plenty Times, 29 March 1909, Page 2
Mrs Fletcher came to New Zealand in the ship Carisbrook Castle, accompanied by then husband (who died some years ago) and a large family, with Mr Vesey Stewart, hailing from Prospect House, Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland. She leaves two daughters to mourn their loss (Mrs Abbot and the Hon. Mrs Randolph Rowley)- whose husband is brother to Lord Langford) and four sons (Charles, Eustace, Henry and Robert). Mr Chas. Fletcher is settled at Katikati and has been a member of the Road Board for many years.

Mulgrew
Bay Of Plenty Times, 27 February 1907, Page 4 Katikati Notes.
(From Our Correspondent.) It is with feelings of deep regret that I have to report the death of Mrs Elizabeth Mulgrew, which occurred during the early part of Friday night. Mrs Mulgrew came to Katikati, accompanied by her husband, with the members of the No. 1 party, in the ship Carisbrook Castle, in 1875. She belonged to the small farmer class of the north of Ireland, was a member of the Church of England, a quiet, industrious woman. Deceased leaves a husband, a married son, and several near relatives here to mourn her loss, for whom much public sympathy is felt. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, the service having bean conducted by the Rev. W. Kattrens.

Bay Of Plenty Times, 1 October 1909, Page 2
Mr J. Prenter, who has acted as mine host of the Horse Shoe Hotel, Mataia for about 14 months, has disposed of his interest in the house and is at present spending a few days in Tauranga. Mr Prenter was one of the first Katikati party which come to New Zealand by the Carisbrooke Castle, and after residing in Katikati for about a year, proceeded South, and remained there until about three years ago, when he removod to Auckland and ultimately to Matata.

North Otago Times, 9 August 1892, Page 2 KATIKATI. August 8.
The body of George Vesey Stewart, one of the victims of the recent drowning accident, has been cast ashore. At an inquest, a verdict was returned of accidental drowning.

Observer, 23 September 1905, Page 5
Katikati has been celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. The settlers, in charge of George Vesey Stewart, arrived in Auckland in September, 1875, in the ships Dover Castle and Carisbrook Castle, and were conducted hence in semi-royal state to Tauranga in the fast and favourite steamships Rowena and Pretty Jane. Of course, there was a " function," as the newspaper reporters call it nowadays, at which toasts were drunk and speeches made, and some very interesting reminiscences were related. Vesey Stewart himself ran over the history of the settlement, from the time when he first entered into negotiations with the Fox - Vogel Government until the present day. It sounds queer in the light of many things that happened in between to learn from Vesey that the grant of the Katikati block of 10,000 acres to the North of Ireland settlers was opposed by Julius Vogel, who wanted to hand it over to Tom Morrin as a sheep run.
    The second party of Katikati settlers arrived in the ships Halcione and Lady Jocelyn — two familiar names in those days — in August, 1878, but the laud for these settlers had to be bought at 10/- an acre, as a result of the unearned increment conferred upon the block by the settlement of the first. Mr Stewart touched lightly on the bad times that followed (there were bad times all over the colony), and traced the real prosperity of Katikati to the establishment of the export trade in meat and butter and the discovery of the cyanide process, which latter created a market at Waihi. Vesey Stewart says that it he had the job to do all over again he would still select Katikati.

Bay Of Plenty Times, 26 January 1900, Page 2 Katikati Notes
(Own correspondent.) I regret to state that Mr Parker, with his family, is leaving Katikati to take up his residence at Gisborne where he has some property, and where in addition he has obtained a lucrative appointment. Mr Parker came originally with the No 1 Party in the Carisbrooke Castle, married a daughter of the late Mr Joseph Wylie, senr., a member of the same Party, and finding more congenial employment in teaching under the Board of Education than in that of farming, took up his residence in the East Coast district, a vacancy having, however, occurred here by opening No 1 School, he was appointed teacher thereof, but resigned his appointment last August. His Katikati property has been transferred to Mr Seaver, whose name is so familiarly connected with mining transactions and who will probably, at the proper time, materially assist in the development of our mineral hot springs and other natural resources. Under the circumstances the Katikati family can only say 'Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.

Evening Post, 20 September 1915, Page 6
The fortieth anniversary of the landing of the first Stewart special settlement party at Katikati by the Dover Castle and Carisbrook Castle, from Belfast, on on Friday at Katikati by a concert last night at Katikati by a concert, dance, and banquet. Over 200 persons were present, including many members of all three Stewart special settlement and Katikati parties. Mr. George Vesey Stewart who organised and brought out the parties, and is now eighty-three years, of age, presided over the gathering.

Bay Of Plenty Times, 17 March 1881, Page 3
TAURANGA, KATIKATI, OPOTIKI, AND ROTOEUA DIRECTORY.
The following account of the origin and progress of the Katikati Settlement is from the pen of a gentleman now sojourning in that district. The Katikati Special Settlement is due to the energy and enterprise of Mr Vesey Stewart. This gentleman, a landed proprietor in the North of Ireland, and member of a good old country family, having seen what little inducements the Mother country offered for the rising generation, resolved to emigrate to one of our colonies, and bring some 30 or 40 families from his own neighbourhood with him. Having heard much in favour of New Zealand he visited that country in. the early part of 1874, armed with official letters of introduction to the Superintendents of the .various provinces. His tour over the country was of a complete and thorough nature, every suitable block from the far south to the extreme north being visited by him. No district, however, impressed him so favourably as the Bay of Plenty. Arriving in Tauranga on a bright, clear, sunny day in April ho was literally enchanted with the view. After a pleasant visit of about three weeks he decided on selecting his block at Katikati, as it fully carried out the three requirements that he had indelibly fixed in his mind — (1) Land of good quality and easily cleared. (2) Easy access by a fine natural highway, Tauranga Harbour. (3) Proximity to goldfields which would give future settlers a good and steady market for their agricultural produce. An agreement was then made between him and the Hon. G. M. O'Rorke on behalf of the New Zealand Government, upon the 24th of June, 1874, to the effect that he must bring out with him 30 families before 1st January, 1876 who would receive free a grant of 40 acres for each of the party of the age of 18 years and upwards, with an additional 20 acres in respect of each child between the ages of 12 and 18, provided that no more than 300 acres should beheld and occupied by any number of persons forming one household. Each member of the party would be entitled to his or her Crown Grant if at the expiration of three years from the commencement of occupation he should have one-fifth part under cultivation. Under these most favourable auspices Mr Stewart and his little band sailed from Belfast upon June 8th, 1875, in the ship Carisbrooke Castle, Freebody, commander, which had been chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Company for the purpose, and after a most prosperous run of 92 days arrived in Auckland Harbour upon September 8th. The first impressions received by the new comers were of a favourable nature. The Auckland inhabitants spared no pains to make them feel at home, the advent of such a party being naturally regarded as an era in the history of the colony. An entertainment was given in their honour, the passengers walking in procession to the place, headed by Mr and Mrs Stewart, through streets thronged by an enthusiastic crowd. The steamers Rowena and Pretty Jane conveyed the settlers from Auckland to Tauranga, which was reached on the morning of September 14th. As the latter vessel, which contained Mr Stewart and his family approached Tauranga presented an animated appearance. The sun shone brightly, not a cloud on the sky, whilst the country, fresh in its spring bravery, its peach trees rich with their delicate blossoms, formed a picture of singular beauty, calculated m<>re than ever to please those who had spent some three months at sea. Cannon belched forth a welcome from the heights above ; crowds lined, the Strand ; the wharf a dense mass of human beings ; pakehas and Maoris mingled together, all eager to greet the new arrivals. The houses themselves were gay with flags. On landing Mr Stewart was presented, with an address from the inhabitants of Tuuranga to which he eloquently replied. Most of the settlers betook themselves to some cottages on the Government paddock, which were formerly used by the military, and which had been placed temporarily at their disposal — rent free. Here, as in Auckland, a round of gaiety was the lot of the new chums, who thus, midst smiles and sunshine, commenced their life in the remote though beauteous laud of their adoption. Lots for priority of selection were drawn on the 19th, and no time was- lost in visiting Katikati. Getting up there at that tune was no easy matter, as the channel was not generally known. Messrs Brown, Cook, and other gentlemen's boats were in great request, and though arriving at irregular intervals all got safely to the Uretara, where a group of-whares had been erected for the use of the new settlers. Headed by Mr Gold-Smith during two days the block was thoroughly gone over ; the despair of some of the new chums at crossing rivers and plunging through swamps was very ludicrous, and cause for much good humoured badinage. Especially did the crossing of the estuary of the Uretara and Tahawai rivers, now known as " Louch's Creek," try the mettle of the party, plunging above their waists through the wide flat, either wounding their tender feet by treading on oyster shells, or sinking far into the soft mud were experiences of a novel and unpleasant nature. However, very general contentment prevailed, and the growth at the- native settlements scattered over the block impressed them with the fertility of the soil. Groups of whares had been erected by the Urtara, Te Rereatukahia, and Aaongaatete rivers, and to these in a very short time the settlers brought their families. The leader set a good example, and by the 1st of October Mrs Vesey Stewart with her family was living in a whare on the rude unkept patch of land now the site of Mount Stewart. This lady, by the ready aptitude with which she accommodated herself to circumstances, set a bright example which was pretty generally followed, nearly every wife sharing the severe roughness with her husband instead of living in comfort at Tauranga. At this time not a single river was bridged ; not a blade of grass, nor a house save at Mr Foley's farm between the Te Rereatukahia and Te Manaia rivers ; the only cultivation a few kumeras and potatoes at the native settlements. The channel was not staked, so boats were very uncertain as to the length of time they took in plying between Katikati and Tauranga. Hence provisions could not be expected with any regularity. On October 24th the first incident of note occurred, some boxes, belonging to Mr Louch, containing property of value were burnt, in some unaccountable way ; a native was suspected, and it was deemed advisable to hold an inquest. It is needless to add the cause was proved to be accidental, and the jury were of one mind that no native was to blame for it. The attitude of the Maoris had been throughout most cordial and friendly, and settlers had to thank their dusky brethren for many a kindness, for many a present of fruit and vegetables. It was a pity such an idea could have been started. The day of the inquest will ever be sadly remembered as being that on which two, one an old, the other a new resident at Katikati were to find a watery grave. A boat left Tauranga that morning containing Mr Alexander Anderson, an old settler, owning a choice farm, and Messrs Arthur Stuart and Jack Murdoch, two of the new settlers. The first two gentlemen were to be jurors in the fire case. The boat being heavily laden it made hut slow progress, and was speedily passed by the Coroner's boat. Katikati it never reached, and no tidings were heard of it and its occupants until Mr Murdoch was found in a weak 'state on Alatakana Island. He stated how the wind springing up the boat, heavily laden, capsised. Mr Anderson sank at once, and rose no more. Messrs Stuart and Murdoch held on for several hours to the boat, which was floating bottom upwards, until just as dawn was appearing Mr Stuart — numbed and exhausted—let go his hold and disappeared. Murdoch managed then to right the boat, which floated on to where he remained for n couple of days, having had nothing but a dead fowl to eat during that period. Anderson was an elderly man, a native of Cromarty in Scotland, and much respected. Mr Stuart, a native of Ballygawlay, Ireland, was perhaps the life of the party ; of rare integrity and firmness of purpose, he combined a singular geniality- and mirthfulness of disposition which endeared him to everyone, who loved him for his cheery kindliness. The news of the terrible event arrived whilst the greater part of Tauranga were full of mirth a id enjoyment at the entertainment in honor of the Prince of Wales' Birthday ; it fell like a thunderbolt amidst the careless festive throng. (To be continued.)

Bay Of Plenty Times, 10 July 1878, Page 3
MR VESEY STEWART'S NO. 2 PARTY.
Curragh Camp, Ireland, May 12, 1878. On the eve of Mr Vesey Stewart's departure for New Zealand I send you a brief resume of his doings, and the success he has met with during his mission home. I will not trouble you with many words, but will let facts speak for themselves. On his return in September, he got a right worthy welcome in his native village of Ballygawley, which showed that " though out of sight" for two long years he had not been "out of mind." He has addressed comparatively few public meetings, but those few lectures he gave were well attended. He hit the right nail on the head in publishing his pamphlet, and I may confidently say that few works of its modest dimensions ever before received such wide spread notice as was accorded to his brochure. The settlers' letters with which it is garnished, were of course one of its most noticeable features, and were read with the interest they deserved. The sequel he has published is so replete with useful information with respect to the outfit needed for the voyage that to the variest dullard or most muddle-headed bungler the whole must be clear and simple.' Ever energetic, never idle, he received at Martray daily numbers of persons eager to. hear about New Zealand, and in this Mr Stewart preferred honesty and previous good character to rank and wealth; rightly judging that one ill-conditioned person might upset the harmony of our hitherto happy and undivided community at Katikati. I need not again allude to the high position many of his second party hold in the social scale, nor the considerable sum of money which through them will circulate in your district. The Lady Jocelyn is a splendid ship ; the saloon table alone holds 100 persons; the state-rooms hold but two persons, preventing the crowding suffered by the passengers in. the Carisbrooke Castle. For amusement Mr Stewart has obtained from the Religious Tract Society a free grant of books, which he has further supplemented by a liberal donation from himself.

McCauley's

Poverty Bay Herald, 3 March 1883, Page 2
TAURANGA. This Day. The Bay of Plenty Times has been sold by auction to the Rev. D. Bruce and Mr. Vesey Stewart.

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My Simple Life in New Zealand by Adela Stewart
free download

"My Simple Life In New Zealand" written by Adel B. Stewart largely from her own diary, and published in 1908, tells part of the story of the foundation of George Vesey Stewarts Katikati settlement, near Tauranga. The author, who was educated in Paris, married Vesey Stewart's brother, Hugh, then an officer in the Royal Artillery and for a time, led a gay social life in England, the Mediterranean and the West Indies. Leaving behind the comforts and pleasures of the old world, Adela Stewart and her husband sailed in the Lady Jocelyn in 1878 for New Zealand. "Homesick, and depressed, also hungry," they were not at first impressed with the district which was to be their home for the next 28 years. But Mrs. Stewart was to prove herself not only a woman of culture, but one of ability and force of character. Cheerfully and competently she entered into the hard-working role of a farmers wife, mastering the new skills necessary for very existence. In 1908 the Stewarts sold "Athenree," the gracious homestead which had become a social centre and had given its name to the district, and returned to England. Revisiting the place which had meant so much to her, Adela Stewart died suddenly at Katikati just before the First World War.
Author: Adela Stewart,1846-1910
Published by: Robert Banks & Son. First Edition. 1908.
Soft cover. 201 pages.

The dreams did not come to reality without long struggle.