Captain Daniel ALABASTER
MASTER MARINER - SEAFARER - SAILMAKER - GOLD DISCOVERER - EXPLORER - GENERAL MERCHANT was born July 1838, possibly in Suffolk, England
He arrived in New Zealand in 1854 from Norfolk, England

Daniel married:
ISABELLA FENWCK (1842-1891) in Jan 1871 on the West Coast. Isabella arrived into Port Chalmers (Dunedin) on 3 Aug 1861 (on her own) on the STORM CLOUD which left from Clyde, Glasgow on 3 May 1861
(Isabella's 2nd marriage to John HALLOA in 1884 in Norsewood was bigamously - go to next link at children)

DANIEL & ISABELLA had 4 CHILDREN

Daniel next married:
JANE ELIZABETH FISH (1871-1947) in March 1892 in the Wanganui Registry Office

the LIFE & TIMES of Daniel Alabaster
... Dunedin, Christchurch, Wanganui, West Coast, Greymouth, Wellington

26 Dec 1857 DUNEDIN COURT
A. S. Wilson v Daniel Alabaster - Charge of assault. Fined 10s., with 18s. 6d. costs

18 Dec 1862 DUNEDIN
An adjourned Meeting of the Town Board of Dunedin will be held, at the board Room, on Friday, 19th inst., at 12 o'clock, when the following Appeals against the Assesment will be considered:-
Lot 580 - D. Alabaster

27 Dec 1862 DUNEDIN BOXING DAY AMUSEMENTS
The second years "Boxing Day" Games and Sport, got up by Mr S. E. R. Jones, in the open ground adjoining his Commercial Hotel, High-street, attracted a large number of persons during the day; for there was no charge for admission, and a good deal to amuse and interest any one who had no particular objection to jostling and crowding, which was at times somewhat rough and although good-tempered.
... The "greasy pole" caused as usual a good deal of merriment, eight or ten men paying their half-crown, in order to try and reach the chain that dangled at the top, and the getting of which was to secure a watch also. It was at last reached and carried off in the most easy and nonchalance style conceivable, by Daniel Alabaster. He stepped up rather than climbed, using two pieces of rope, which he slung round the pole to form a stirrup, so that his weight was constantly on one leg. He used sand at the points to which he noosed his ropes; he got only two very slight slips; and he fastened and unfastened the ropes coolly and expeditiously

24 January 1863 DUNEDIN SUPREME COURT
James Eliott and David Stewart were charged with stealing 14 watches and some articles of jewellery, from the dwelling-house of Daniel Alabaster, in the Arcade.
Mr Howorth stated the case at some length
Daniel Alabaster stated that in December he was keeping an oyster shop in the Arcade. On the night of the 28th, he had in a cash-box, in his bedroom, 14 watches, some albert chains, brooches, &c. On the next night, he looked for the box and found that it was gone. One of the watches was number 6,122; and he identified the one produced, and numbered 62,515, as having also been in the box. A short time before the robbery, the prisoner Stewart stopped a night or two at his house

24 Oct 1863 DUNEDIN
The New River and Lake on the West Coast
- Captain Alabaster's account
We have been furnished with the following interesting particulars concerning the first discovery in June last, by Captain Alabaster, on the River and Lake referred to by Dr Hector:-
Dunedin, 19th August, 1863 Mr Daniel Alabaster, about eleven years engaged in the coasting trade of South New Zealand, and long time mate of the 'Star', has called upon me and reported that he entered a river called the Wakatipu, about four miles south of the Awarau, on the West Coast, and the following is his information:
We entered on June 12th last...

9 Feb 1864 THE WEST COAST EXPLORATION
Sir, In regard to the right of naming the geographical features of that portion of the West Coast, situated between Lake Wakatip (sic) and Martin's Bay, the following claims were considered in this office:- ... Captain Daniel Alabaster entered from the sea that lake named Lake McKerrow by Caples. On the 12th June, 1863, and during the month of June he explored the interior as far as the water shed of the Snowy Mountains, discovering the lake named after himself (photo below). The report of this exploration was delivered at the Survey Office on the 19th August, 1863, and a sketch of the lakes was drawn on the office maps at the same time. Mr Hector entered from the sea that lake named Lame McKerrow by Caples, and Kakapo by himself on the 17th August, 1863, and from thence he explored the country as far as the Wakatipu Lake. The report of this exploration is dated 19th October, 1863, and the sketch map accompanying the same is dated the 10th of the same month.
Such being the facts, the privilege of naming the geographical features according to the practice of surveyor and geographers, belonging to Caples. The minute accuracy of his sketch was confirmed by that of Dr Hector. I am, etc., J. G. Thomson, Chief Surveyor, Survey Office, Dunedin, 8th February, 1864 ... more

5 Nov 1864 OTAGO
Mr Dyer presented a petition from Daniel Alabaster, Master Mariner, praying for a grant of a tract of land, promised to him in the Waikaya (sic) district, in consideration of his having been the first white man to explore Waikaya Harbor

6 Oct 1868 WARDEN'S COURT GREYMOUTH, West Coast South Island
Daniel Alabaster was charged with trading on a gold field without a business license on the 29t ult. Constable Keating stated that he visited the defendant's store, situated at the side of the Arnold track, near the coal mine, and asked him for his business license. He replied that he had none, because he was not carrying on any business; he only kept a few boarders. There was a small quantity of goods in the store. Defendant now said that the goods referred to came from town about two hours before the constable arrived. They were for two miners who lived with him. The Magistrate said the defendant had escaped by a most fortunate circumstance for him - that he was living on a reserve which was exempt from the operation of the Gold Fields Act. Case dismissed

6 Nov 1874 GREYMOUTH
THIS DAY, FRIDAY, 6th NOVEMBER, at 1 o'clock sharp
In the Assigned Estate of Daniel Alabaster. By order of the Trustees
GIRDWOOD, LAHMAN, AND CO. have received instructions from the Trustees in the above Estate to sell by public auction, on Friday, the 6th instant, at 1 o'cock sharp, at the Coal Pits.
1. That large and substantially-built House, known as Alabaster's Hotel; together with the Stables and Out-Buildings
2. The building known as Alabaster's Bakery
3. Punt and Wire, in full working order
4. One Boat
5. The Stock-in-Trade, consisting of Wines and Spirits, &c
6. Household Furniture and Sundries

2 Dec 1876 GREYMOUTH Resident Magistrate's Court
Horace and Daniel Alabaster, two boys aged respectively eight and eleven years, were charged by Mr Ronayne, manager fo the Brunner railway, with interfering with the water-tanks on the line, turning off the water and allowing the same to run to waste.
Daniel Alabaster, the father of the boys, admitted the offence, but pleaded that they turned off the water in order to get a drink.
Inspector Hickson stated that it was not their first offence, as he had had occasion to caution them previously
His Worship said the lives of the travelling public were placed in jeopardy by the practice of the boys tampering with the plant of the railway, and inflicted a fine of L1 (?1, equivalent to $143 in Dec 2011) each, or a week's imprisonment. He told the father of the boys that if he was unable to control them he would put the law in force and send them to the Naval Training School; he was not disposed to do so on the present occasion, but if they were allowed to run about without attending school, he would, if they were brought before him again, treat them as neglected children, and send them for a long term to the Training School

10 May 1881 WELLINGTON CHARGE OF FAILING TO SUPPORT A WIFE
Daniel Alabaster, at present residing in Christchurch, was charged with failing to contribute towards the support of his wife Isabella, living in Wellington, for whom Mr Sandilands appeared. A communication was received from the husband, stating that he had been compelled to leave his wife owing to her adulterous conduct; and the case was postponed for a week to enable the police to institute enquiries regarding the woman's character

5 Sep 1887 WANGANUI
For some time past Mr Daniel Alabaster - at present of Wanganui, but who is well known in the South Island as an ardent and enthusiastic explorer and a noted gold discoverer - has been in communication, both by letter and through the medium of the Hon Mr Ballance, with the Mines Department, on the subject of a fresh exploration of the Martin's Bay district, where he (Mr Alabaster) knows, from a prospecting tour made years ago, that payable gold exists. We understand that, in personal conversation with Mr Ballance, Mr Alabaster related the story of his previous explorations in the country in question, and referred to Sir James Hector as a gentleman who would testify to his veracity; whereupon the Minister assured his interviewer that he might consider the matter as good as settled. So far well. BUT ...

1 Nov 1890 WANGANUI ELECTORAL RATE
Letters have been sent to the following persons, intimating that unless they substantiate their claims on or before 5th November, they will be struck off the rolls: ... Daniel Alabaster

6 Feb 1892 SOUTHLAND
A man named D. Alabaster, engaged on the hulk 'Edwin Fox', has been received into the hospital suffering from injuries to his ribs by falling from a height while working on the vessel

23 March 1892 WANGANUI
MARRIAGE - ALABASTER-FISH, At the Registrar's Office, Wanganui, on March 23rd, 1892, Daniel Alabaster, to Jane Elizabeth Fish

7 July 1892 WELLINGTON
A petition, presented by Mr McLean on behalf of Daniel Alabaster, sailmaker, Wellington, recalls a piece of the ancient history of Otago. Petitioner states that he was in the schooner 'Star' in 1856, when the late Mr James MacAndrew, Superintendent of Otago, made an official visit in her to Invercargill, in company with Messrs Taylor, M.L.A., Thomas Black, M.H.R., Lugate, surveyor-general of Victoria, and others. The vessel met with bad weather and was in danger of being lost, when Alabaster, from his knowledge of the coast, was placed in command, and, by running the vessel into Waikawa Harbour, saved her and the lives of all on board. Alabaster was promised a land grant as a reward, but, owing to various delays he never obtained it, and now petitions for redress

6 Sep 1899 MORNINGTON (Dunedin) BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
Mr A. Brown-Durie wrote re part of section 7 and section 8, block IV, Mornington, stating that he had been instructed by Mr Daniel Alabaster to communicate with the council re obtaining compensation for land taken by the borough - On the motion of Cr Gow, seconded by Cr Sparrow, the council resolved to express regret that they did not consider the evidence of title sufficient to warrant their entering upon any negotiations, and would be glad to have further information

9 April 1908 WELLINGTON
UNDER "THE SEA FISHERIES ACT, 1894" AND THE ACTS AMENDING THE SAME
NOTICE is hereby given that DANIEL ALABASTER, of Wellington, Sailmaker, the discoverer of a natural Oyster Bed in Cloudy Bay, in the South Island of New Zealand, lying between a line drawn from Cape Campbell to Wellington Head at Tory Channel and the beach has made application to the Collector of Customs at Blenheim for the issue to him of an exclusive license for the use of such Oyster Bed. Such application is dated the twenty-fifth day of March, one thousand nine humdred and eight, and is followed by a supplemental application dated the sixth day of April, one thousand nine hundred and eight. Dated this sixth day of April, one thousand nine hundred and eight.
BUNNY, PETHERICK & AYSON - Solicitors for the said Daniel Alabaster

30 July 1920 WELLINGTON
ALABASTER - At his late residence, No 150, Vivian-street, Daniel Alabaster, the dearly beloved husband of Jane Elizabeth Alabaster, and loved father of D. Alabaster, Supreme Court; aged 82 years. At rest

9 August 1920 WELLINGTON
Messrs William and Co., Ltd., will sell pianos and furniture at the Auction Arcade to-morrow afternoon. On Wednesday they will sell the stock and furniture in the estate of the late Daniel Alabaster

12 Aug 1920 WELLINGTON
Mr D. Alabaster, who died recently at the age of eighty-two years, was the father of Mr D. Alabaster, now of the Wellington Supreme Court staff. He came to New Zealand from Norfolk, England, in 1854, and entered on a seafaring life, which, among other things, resulted in the discovery of the Stewart Island oyster beds. "Lake Alabaster" is named after him, and it is claimed that he discovered gold on the West Coast two years ago before the historic "rush" occurrred. About ninteen years ago he came to Wellington and started in business as a sailmaker and general merchant, a business which he carried on until his death. He leaves a widow, two sons - Mr D. Alabaster, of the Supreme Court staff, and Mr H. Alabaster, Wanganui - and one daughter Mrs M. A. Covency, of Taumarunui



PHOTO Lake Alabaster, named after Daniel
from the site New Zealand Tramper