Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 163

Transcript

This is a rough likeness of James Robinson Clough, (father of George Robinson the Half Caste Wrestler) the man who pulled the British warship into Akaroa and hoisted the “old red rag” on the point, later owned by Mr I.H. Garwood. Johnny was a rare good beer man, that was his failing. At bottom he was a fine athletic rough Englishman, to the core. He married a Māori & had several sons. For some years he lived at Alford Forest, had there a nice orchard in the early days, and was a good bush worker, sawyer or splitter. Occasionally he paid Chch a visit and with his chums, made things lively. But there was nothing malicious about him. Poor fellow! -–he earned good money and fooled it away. I remember on one occasion going up the middle of Papanui road (Victoria St) then in the rough, and picking up shillings half crowns, sixpences and fine old Turnip and steel chain and etceteras, and wondering who had been flying round. Later on I heard that Johnny had passed up “tucking and filling” on his road to the bush public at Papanui, The Sawyers’ Arms kept by old Henry Roil. That was where the spoil had come from. Johnny would change note after note, and clap all in his loose moleskins.