Te Rata: the doctor, Part II

Soon after Samuel Cochrane, purchased the steamship, the Novelty, he invited a party of guests from the Auckland business world on an excursion to test the virtues of the Waiwera hot springs. Venturing north from Auckland on 19/7/1865, an Auckland newspaper correspondent also joined him and his illustrious party of travellers.

Despite being a prominent businessman in Auckland, very little was documented about this part of his life, except what appears in the press. They were very interesting times, and Cochrane was widely travelled, his life experiences taking him to three continents.

Remembering that he was born in 1815, his known destinations included North America, UK and Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand where he finally settled in 1859. Quite a remarkable feat in those early times.

Following his exploits as an auctioneer, the newspapers revealed many gems of information. Whether his attitude to life can be attributed to his Ulster Scots background or the events which characterised the era, I simply do not know.

What follows is based on the correspondent’s account of their journey that appeared in the Daily Southern Cross of 21/7/1865. I have tried to maintain the correspondent’s journalistic prose in summarising his account.

I can’t help wondering what he would have thought to hear his words echoed back to him some 150 years later.


The Journey North

With Captain Quance at the helm, the PS Novelty, new to the run to the Hotsprings, set off on its six hour journey. The trip was a private affair funded at Cochrane’s own expense to showcase both the resort and his new acquired steamship, only recently taken off the Manukau run.

Leaving Auckland drawing 45lb pressure of steam, the early part of their journey was to somewhat overshadowed by the incessant roar of the engines, our correspondent disdainfully remarking, “I must en passant give the makers of the engines of the Novelty all credit for the tremendous noise they make, similar to that caused by a half a dozen stone breaking machines” Nevertheless, (as he puts it) his discomfort was soon overtaken by, “the magnificent and picturesque scenery, afforded by the position of the City of Auckland and its suburbs” as the steamer continued on its way northwards.

Their journey proceeded without further ado until they reached the treacherous passage between Whangaparaoa and Tiri Tiri. By now the Novelty was sailing into a head wind and the steamship began to “rock about a little, and vibrate from stem to stern”. At this point, the correspondent made note that many of the ship’s passengers “appeared to have conceived a sudden fancy for the contemplation of the vasty deep”.


To add to the woes, the leg of pork intended to be the mainstay of their dinner was under-done, and with only a dozen or so contenders left unaffected by the sudden introspective malaise of the other shipboard guests, the correspondent observed that even Samuel Cochrane, “could not with all his eloquence dispose of as many slices as he would have done allotments in his mart”. However, with an abundance of other food, and a range of fine beverages to imbibe, those still well enough to partake, seemed little inclined to complain.

Speeches were made and forgotten, opinions expressed and arguments settled as the old Novelty continued on her way, rattling her machinery and “making a desperate headway of about one knot per hour”.

They eventually came to anchor just as their host had popped the cork on yet another bottle of a yet unknown, but most likely a beverage of a matured, malted variety imported from the old country.

The absence of a suitable jetty at the hot springs meant that the passengers were expected to first get into the steamer’s boat and then wade the final fifty metres to shore. Despite the odds all got to land without mishap.

Once on dry land those who had missed out on the shipboard meal because of their seasickness were once again treated to Cochrane’s hospitality and were able to dine on a sumptuous turkey dinner. Exhibiting a sense of humour that he would long be remembered for, our host, Samuel Cochrane, “dissected a turkey with admirable skill and by some wicked puns, kept the table, as Yorick was wont to do, in a roar”.


Fact finding

Tiritiri Matangi Island literally means tossed by the wind.
A lighthouse was constructed on the island in 1864
The Cochrane family has a reserve named after them at Arkles Bay

Image: Burton Bros. photograph showing steamer passengers being rowed ashore at Waiwera (Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries)