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"Pladda" 1860
Otago Witness � Saturday August 25, 1860 page 4
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Arrivals. August 20. Pladda, 982 tons, Ritchie, from Glasgow. Webb & Co., agents. Passengers - Cabin: Thomson Mr R. and Mrs Smith William (surveyor) Howden Francis (surveyor) Hood Mrs Ritchie Mrs
Intermediate:
Grant Donald Smith Mrs and daughter
Steerage:
Alexander Andrew and wife Alexander George wife, and 3 daughters Aitken David and wife Adams David wife and 3 daughters Adams Mary Adam James Allan John wife and daughter Armstrong Elizabeth Auld William Auchterlonie Catherine and Jane Baxter Robert wife and daughter Beange Alexander and wife Blaikie William wife son, and daughter Bringin(?Bringins) Alexander wife and daughter Brown William Burgess John Baird R.N. Bryce David Bryce James Callander A. Cameron Allan and Christina Cameron Angus and wife Cameron Archibald and wife Campbell Hugh Carmichael Peter wife, son and 2 daughters Carruth Thomas Clark George Clarkson Robert wife, son and daughter Colquhoon (?Colquhoun)Neil Cowie Alexander wife, son and daughter Cowie James wife, 3 sons and daughter Cross Henry Cullen Peter Dempster George and wife Dickson Margaret Dixon George Donald Alexander Dryden Henry Dunlop Daniel Dunlop Robert Easton George Elliot James Ferguson James Findlay David and Mary Findlay George wife and daughter Finlay Grace and Robert Finnie Peter Finnie Robert wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters Forrest Pultany and wife Forsyth Mrs James 3 sons and 3 daughters (Janet, Margaret, James and John) Fraser (Frazer) William wife and 2 daughters Frost Robert Frost William Fyfe Janet Galbraith Archibald Galbraith Henry wife and 2 sons Gibb Robert wife 3 sons and 2 daughters Gibson Margaret Gibson William Goodwillie George and wife Gordon Alexander and Johan Gow William wife, son and 2 daughters Graham James wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters Grant Arthur wife and son (L.K. Grant paid �36 passage money to the Provincial Government of Otago) Grant John Grant William wife 2 son and daughter (L.K. Grant paid �30 12s 2d passage money to the Provincial Government of Otago on February 2 1872) Gray Thomas Harvey Benjamin wife and daughter Heggie David wife and 2 daughters Henderson William Hermiston Andrew Ireland James wife and son and 4 daughters Jones Mary King James and wife Knox Daniel Lawson Peter wife, 2 sons, and 2 daughters Ledinghame Jane Lees Andrew wife (?Elizabeth), 4 sons and 3 daughters Leighton James and wife Leonard Alexander and wife (James Harrold paid �32 passage money to the Provincial Government of Otago for Alexander's passage) Liddel (?Liddell) Jessie Bayne Limham (?Lunham) Henry Lockhart David Lockhart John and wife Lockhart William and wife Macdonald Ewen Malloy Neil Martin Robert wife, and daughter Marshall Janet Mason William wife, son and 2 daughters Mee Alexander Mee John (Henry Tilson paid �6 passage money to the Provincial Government of Otago on May 18 1865) Meek John Menzies John and wife Middleton James Milley (?Millog) Duncan Milne Elizabeth, Isabella, and John Milne James wife and daughter (?Elizabeth, Isabella) Milne John Mitchell James Morgan Mrs Morrison William Murdoch John and wife Murray Margaret and Alexa McColl Duncan McCulloch John McCallum Archibald McDonald Hugh and wife McDonald James and wife McDougal William McFarlane John and Mary McKay John McKenzie Murdoch wife, 2 sons and daughter McKissack (?McKissock) George McLauchlin Peter McLaren John McLeod George McLeod John McLennan James wife, son and daughter McNaughton Alexander McPherson Donald McVicar Daniel Napier Jessie Nelson Frederick and wife Nimmo John and wife Ormiston Elizabeth and David Paterson Archibald wife, 4 sons and 3 daughters Phedden William and wife Porteous John Prentice Norman Pultany Forrest and wife Pullar Alexander wife, 5 sons and 2 daughters Purdie Alexander wife and son Reid William Renn Malcolm wife, son and 2 daughters Ross Donald and wife Ross George Ross John Samuel James wife and son Saunders Peter Scrymgeour John wife 6 sons and daughter Scott George Skinner David Smaill Robina Smaillie Andrew Smart Robert Smith Daniel and Catherine Smith Elizabeth, Jane, and Magdalene (?Magdalen) Smith James wife, 3 sons and daughter Spence James Stephen Smith Stewart James Swan Adam Taylor Duncan of Granton Taylor Duncan of Glasgow Taylor John wife and son Thomson John and Janet Thomson Catherine Thomson John Thomson Margaret Tilson David Towers John Trun James Turner George Twaddle William Wardrop Janet Wedderspoon John wife and 2 daughters Weir Elizabeth Whytock William Wilkie James S. Wilson George Wilson Norman Wilson William
Among the above are 5 masons, 35 carpenters and joiners, 20 ploughmen, 30 labourers, 41 domestic servants, 3 blacksmiths, 1 millwright, 1 printer, 1 cooper, 2 painters, 1 shepherd, 1 saddler, 1 cabinetmaker, 1 engineer, 2 roadmakers, 4 dairymaids, 3 milliners, &c.
The above list comprises the following:- Married Couples 59 Single Men 110 Single Females 47 Male Children, under 12 years 44 Female Children, under 12 years 46 Total number of souls, 371; equal to 310 statute adults.The following is a list of the Births and Deaths that occurred during the passage:-
Births.
On the 19th May, Mrs Robert Gibb of a son
On the 26th May, Mrs George Dempster of a son
On the 21st June, Mrs A. Alexander of a daughter
On the 24th June, Mrs R. Beaxter of a daughter
On the 24th June, Mrs A. Beange of a son
On the 2nd July, Mrs W. Sheddan of a daughter
On the 18th July, Mrs Jno. Murdoch of a son
On the 19th Aug. Mrs R. Martin of a daughter
Deaths.
On the 26th May, Robert Hood, aged 38 years of consumption of the lungs.
On the 7th June, Margaret McNaughton, aged 60, of natural decay.
On the 1st July, James Gibb, aged 6 weeks of inflammation of the lungs.
On the 13th July, Peter Carmichael, aged 2 years of consumption of the lungs.
On the 13th July, John Galbraith, aged 5 years of croup.
On the 14th July, Euphemia McLennan, aged 2� years of croup.
On the 16th July, Frederick Nelson, aged 15 years of measles.
On the 17th July, Jane Aitken, aged 17 months of measles.
On the 30th July, Agnes Murdoch, aged 2 years of measles.
On the 7th August, George Wren, aged 10 months of croup.
On the 9th August, Thomas Forrest, aged 50 years of plenitis.
On the 11th August, Barbara McDonald, aged 8 months of bronchitis.
On the 14th August, Mary Samuel, aged 16 months, of shock.
Otago Witness July 21 1860 page 5
List of immigrants to arrive per the
"Pladda" and the "William Miles" was
received by mail.
Dunedin, Saturday, August 25, 1860.
The "Pladda."
Our annual stream of immigration has again set in with the Pladda, with 371 passengers. The advantages possessed by immigrants now over those of the early days of the Settlement, in the arrangements for the landing of the passengers and the discharge of the ships was very clearly exemplified in the case of the Pladda which anchored off the Heads on the 16th instant, and from the unprecedented continue of late of strong south-west winds, would have been there almost till now but for the advance which Otago has made in having steamers on the coast, by one of which - the Geelong - the Pladda was on Saturday towed up to Port Chalmers, her passengers landed on the Dunedin Jetty on Monday morning. The voyage presented no features of peculiar interest. Measles had broken out, and there has been a rather considerable number of deaths, principally infants. The vessel was temporarily put in quarantine, but after the visit of the Health Office it was not considered necessary to delay the landing of the passengers.
The demand for the services of the new arrivals is good; all the female servants, amounting to 47, having found places. Carpenters and mechanics always find it more difficult to find occupations than mere labourers, but the former have the opportunity of work at the barracks now in the course of erection, which the government have deemed it advisable to put up.
It has fortunately happened that the instructions given to the Home Agents not to forward immigrants in the winter time have been attended to, or there would have been much inconvenience from the usual severity of the winter. It is very generally stated that 3000 persons will arrive before January. No doubt our contemporary will find fault with us, but we confess that we have some doubts of the prudence of this very rapid immigration. From our former experience shows us that any over supply of the labour market can be but temporary. We have considerable funds voted for public works, and a very large number of hands will be required to make roads and carry out these public works; The public must supply themselves somewhat more extensively with sawn timber, otherwise than by importation; there must be more houses, and a better style built. Land must be extensively cultivated. We must not have the Mills stopped, as at present, for want of wheat to be ground; in fact, every individual in the community must do his utmost to advance the prosperity of the Province. The old peaceful jog-trot of our earlier days must be given up, or we shall find that we have set a machine in motion which we cannot keep pace with.
To return to the more immediate subject of our reflection, the arrival of the Pladda; advice to New arrivals, not to refuse an offer of a good situation in hopes of getting a better; not to waste time and money by staying about town, but to get to work at once; a few pounds saved at the commencement of a colonial career, may be worth a hundred at a subsequent period and each and all to go to work with a hearty determination to succeed in his or her new home.Otago Witness, 15 September 1860, Page 4
Cleared out. September 10� Pladda, Ritchie, for Moulmain. Original cargo from Glasgow� 385 tons coals. J. S. Webb and Co., agents.Otago Witness, 22 September 1860, Page 5
Fatal Accident. � "We regret to learn that the carpenter of the " Pladda" was drowned at Port Chalmers on Friday, the 14th inst. The particulars of the accident have not reached us.Otago Witness, 29 October 1891, Page 21
Mr Andrew Lees, farmer, Owake, which took place at his residence there on the 27th inst. The deceased was descended from a family of practical agriculturists in the county of Roxburgh, Scotland. The lease of the farm which he held in Selkirkshire having expired, he determined to try New Zealand, and accordingly in 1860 he' came with his wife and family to Otago in the ship Pladda. Soon after his arrival he settled at Port Molyneux. In 1865 he purchased a section at Owake, on which he resided till his death. He was one of the early settlers in the district of Owake, Catlin's river� a locality which has deservedly acquired a name as a good farming district. His home was always open to callers, and not a few can remember with pleasure the hearty welcome held out to them by himself, his wife, and his family. The table and a bed were at every stranger's service, and Mrs Lees (who predeceased her husband in 1883) was ever on the move to "make folk at home." The deceased, who had been a very healthy man, was going about until the 25th inst., when he took to his bed and expired in his sleep. A family of five sons and three daughters survive him, all being grown up and living in their adopted country.Evening Post, 9 September 1915, Page 6
Mr. Archibald McCallum, a prominent business man in Dunedin, died at Musselburgh on Monday, at the age of 79. The deceased gentleman was a native of Glasgow, and was brought up to the building trade. In 1860 he arrived in Dunedin by the ship Pladda, and after trying his luck on the Otago and West Coast goldfields, he leased the Government sawmill at Makarewa, near Invercargill. Ever since then he had been in the timber business. For many years before his death he had been settled in Dunedin. For a year he was Mayor of East Invercargill. His wife died 23 years ago. One of his four daughters is Mrs. J. D. Sievwright, of Wellington.Otago Witness, 24 July 1907, Page 58
The death of Mr Robert Martin, the well known builder, which took place on the 15th inst., removes from our midst another of our early settlers, and a man who impressed all who came in contact with him with a sense of the great nobility of his character. He was a man who had seen much in his earlier days and met with many adventures. Born in 1832 in Lanark, the home of William Wallace, the great Scottish patriot, he took considerable pride in a quiet way in the fact that he was descended from those dour Covenanters who made such a mark in the history of Scotland, and that on his mother's side he traced his ancestry back to a very old and well-known Scottish house. His father was an actuary, and the deceased at an early age entered the cotton mills of his uncle, David Kelly, at Rothesay. His uncle was a bachelor, and his intention was to bring Mr Martin up to the business and eventually leave it to him. This opening, however, was lost by the death of a brother, which took the deceased home. After a while he turned his attention to the building trade, and, being a man who believed in doing a thing thoroughly if he did it at all, he worked for some years at the practical side and later studied at the Edinburgh Institute for Architects, passing with credit. Shortly afterwards Canada attracted his attention, and deceased, accompanied by his father, mother, and brother John, sailed for that country. His brother was an expert fellmonger, and he and deceased determined to start a fellmongery business, for which there was a good opening. Here again his plans were frustrated, for when everything was ready for a start, with good prospects, John Martin fell a victim to a cholera epidemic which was then raging. Mr Martin took his brother's death so much to heart that he sold the business, and being of a roving disposition, visited many parts of America and Canada.. He lived for some time in the backwoods and encountered many adventures, throughout which he proved exceptionally immune to cold and sickness. It was only to intimate friends and his family that he recounted his experiences, and one that made the most impression on his listeners was his account of crossing below the Falls of Niagara, when the river was icebound. Only twice in the memory of man has the river been in this condition� in January, 1854 and again in 1904. Mr Martin was stopping at the village of Chippewa, about two miles above the falls, and wishing to transact some business in Buffalo he set out on foot to the nearest station to entrain. Arriving at the falls, and being pressed for time, he determined to cross the frozen river to the American side. He descended the ice-covered wooden steps to the river, made his way across, occasionally leaping chasms in the ice, and up the steps on the American aide. He got to Buffalo, transacted his business, and returned. Once not being enough for his daring spirit, he recrossed the ice by moonlight. Mr Martin was always careful to impress on his listeners that the river itself was not actually frozen � the current too swift for that� but the January thaws had set free great blocks of ice in Lake Erie, and these had been precipitated over the falls in such numbers that a block had taken place. Speaking of this adventure in later years, he admitted the foolhardinees of the deed. His description of his leaps over the chasms and of the rushing, roaring, madly-racing water between was both vivid and inspiring. A fake step and he would have disappeared, and as he had not informed any of his friends, his fate might have remained for ever a mystery. Mr Martin was married at Toronto on September 8, 1857, his wife being the daughter of Mr Thos. Lane, a farmer. Shortly afterwards, his parents finding the winters too severe, they all returned to Scotland. After a stay there and in Ireland, New Zealand attracted his attention, and with his wife and child he arrived at Port Chalmers in August, 1860, by the ship Pladda. He followed his occupation for a time until, like many others, he was seized by the gold fever and visited Gabriel's Gully, doing the journey on foot, as was the custom then. Being fairlv lucky he left there for Dunedin, and narrowly escaped falling into the hands of bushrangers. But for a lucky delay he would have been one of a number of men who were stuck up on Maungatua, robbed of their gold, and tied to trees for the night. His intention on settling in Dunedin was to follow the profession of architect, but building seemed to have greater charms for him, and he followed this calling for years. Shortly after the opening of the Roslyn Tramway Company, he was appointed managing director, and so successful was the company under his management that large liabilities contracted by accidents before he took charge were wiped off and the company became a fine paying concern. The present design of the care on the Roslyn, Kaikorai, and Mornington lines is his work, and the ratchet brake, the safest on the lines, is his invention. Owing to an oversight, however, he neglected to take out a patent, and missed the fruits of his invention. He superintended Ithe duplication of the line, I but finding that his advice and experience were disregarded by his fellow-directors, and foreseeing the inevitable end, here resigned his seat and sold his interest in the company � a course which saved him from considerable loss later on. Mr Martin , then devoted all his time to his occupation once more, and within the last few years ; erected several large warehouses and buildings. With wonderful pluck he attended to his work to the last, and only took to his bed at 7.30 p.m. on the 12th Inst. Although conscious to the end, he spoke but little, and passed peacefully away at 7 p.m. on Monday. Mr Martin came from a family of considerable gifts, and in various lands different members have gained much, honour. He himself was recognised as an authority on his work, and possessed a I knowledge of every branch connected therewith to the merest detail that was simply marvellous. He was of an inventive turn, and could readily meet any difficulty. He was a good employer and knew a man's value thoroughly. He never aspired to any public position, finding his chief happiness in his own home. A man of the highest character whose word was his bond, he gained the respect of all who knew him. His golden wedding would have been celebrated in less than two months' time, but fate decreed otherwise. He leaves a widow and three sons and five daughters, all grown.Otago Witness, 28 May 1902, Page 30
The late Mr Alexander Mee, whose death was reported a few days ago, was an old Crimean veteran, having gone through that war as a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary. On his arrival in New Zealand in the ship Pladda in 1860 he joined the police force and rode in the first and second gold escorts from Tuapeka to Dunedin. Soon after this he was promoted to be senior sergeant at Dunedin gaol. In 1862 he was sent Home on some important police business. After leaving the service Mr Mee went to the West Coast, and latterly farming at Oamaru and in South Canterbury has engaged his attention. Mr Mee was for more than 20 years a member of the Levels County Council, and was for some little time a member of the Timaru Harbour Board, and at the time of his death he was a member of the Geraldine Licensing Committee. In 1888 he was appointed a justice of the peace. Mr Mee was twice married, and leaves a widow and four children, three of them by his first wife.Otago Witness, 14 June 1900, Page 52
Referring to the death of Mr Archibald Murray Paterson, who passed away at Waihola on Saturday, 2nd inst., at the age of 67 years, the Bruce Herald says that he was born in Iona in 1833, and embarked for New Zealand in the Pladda, arriving in 1860. After engaging in the building trade for some months, the rush to Gabriel's Gully took place, and he went to that field, afterwards taking- part in the Duntsan rush, the Lindis, and Marewhenua, and other diggings, experiencing many of the vicissitudes peculiar to pioneers on the Otago goldfields. In 1863, having amassed some money, Mr Paterson returned to Scotland, but came back about 1864 or 1865. He leaves a family of five sons and two daughters. His wife predeceased him by five years.Otago Witness, 29 June 1899, Page 27
Alexander Callender Purdie, whose death took place on Saturday, at the age of 75 years, was born in the Parish of Fenwick, Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 25th day of December, 1824. For a short time he resided there with his parents, and after his schooling was completed he removed to Glasgow, where he acquired a trade as wire worker, in which occupation he was engaged in various parts of Scotland and England about gentlemen's residences, thus giving him a good opportunity for pursuing his favourite study as naturalist, particularly in the botanical department. He was also favoured in this respect by coming into close communication with some of the leading botanists of that period. In 1860 he came out to Otago in the ship Pladda, and after some vicissitudes connected with his own trade, and trying the diggings, he eventually settled down in connection with the Museum and Exhibition of 1865, his connection therewith, and with the university, continuing until age compelled him to retire into private life a few years ago. Mr Purdie has left his imprint behind him an indelible characters. Along with Mr Peter Thomson, known by his contributions to the Daily Times and Witness as "Pakeha," Mr Beverly, Mr Thomson, and others, he founded the Field Naturalist Club which, has done much good service in promoting the study of botany among our youth. The Horticultural Society had him also as one of its first and most ardent supporters, and those frequenting the exhibitions of the society could not be otherwise than familiar with the grand exhibition of ferns which he used to stage, being only a small portion of the large collection which, during his life, he made, � a collection not surpassed, if equalled, by any other in the colony. His long connection with our university made him familiar with kindred branches of science, and Professors Black, Ulrich, and others will bear testimony to the natural aptness displayed, as well as his zeal in rendering; valued assistance, to them in their labours. And not only in this relation, for he was also a, valued contributor to the great collection in the British Museum, in the form of one of the whale species, which at the time was the only representative there, and for which he received a handsome testimonial. Mr Purdie did not take any active part in political matters, but was keenly alive to everything transpiring, and formed his own judgment on all matters propounded for public consideration. His wife predeceased him about nine years ago, and her death was severely felt by him. He leaves behind one son, who now holds the honoured position of Professor of Geology in the School of Mines at Adelaide, and one daughter, married to Mr James Hendry, of Dunedin. Mr Purdie was a continuous contributor to the columns of the Witness, any question with regard to botanical matters being referred to him. His services were invaluable in answering questions as to the names and habits of plants, and were freely given without fee or reward.
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