Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 208

Transcript

When gold was struck on the West Coast at the Greenstone &c and the rush began in earnest, the Coast belonged to Canterbury, and the anxiety was to get the gold brought East this way, and not shipped from the West. Accordingly an “Ironclad” machine was built on wheels to bring the gold over. It was a romantic idea. The first voyage was I think in charge of Bob Sherman, himself, the Commissioner as he was called, and I think a Sergt. James and Botham, a Constable. It was not a success. The pioneers came back a ragged regiment. The iron article was put into dock & remained. Mr Sale of Oxford, was sent over as representative of the Provl. Govt. Revell having gone over before. Some time after the present Sir John Hall, organised it into a County, Westland.