Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 261

Transcript

choicest liquors because didn’t the conscientious returns come in faithfully recording how the medicaments been dispensed to sufferers. Oh yes! They were grand old times those old immigration days. Camp Bay and Quail Island could also tell a story. Then there was Long Miller, ah! Some of you remember him. He left the Quod before that sincere old Christian and father of a brood of gaolers and warders came upon the scene. You could see Mr Miller’s men camped upon the High Street and without a particle of hurry enjoying their tobacco, and at stated hours, when the craving came, at their ease around the camp fire with the slung billy of tea in their midst. There was a fine feeling of confidence and brotherly trust between the guardian and the guarded, and no doubt they would have felt mean even to think of running. Woe is me! times indeed are changed. Isn’t it a well worn Dunedin legend, that before the Gold the old gaoler there used to shut the doors against them if they were not back at a proper hour. I fear me that what with Dr Stace and Dr Hume and others aiding the march of civilization things are really sadly deteriorating and that fine feeling of mutual respect and trust which had then ruled has departed to return no more. Oh! and the Māori Kaik that was somewhere opposite the Mitre and Robin Hood and there every now and then would be seen a good collection of the real old identity Māori, before the Trowsers and shirt and other female embellishments had been substituted for the old time honored [sic] flax rag or blanket, making their market of oysters and pepis [sic], potatoes and firewood. Although well up to trade and traffic they had not then put on that gloss of civilization which now obtains. Are they better for it?

Gaol, fifties, Henry Yates Miller