Page:Charleston • Irwin Faris • (1941).pdf/84



HIS beach, called the Nine-mile because of about that length, was part of the beach-route, running south from the southern point of Tauranga Bay. It is a narrow beach flanked with white sandhills, with only small headlands to shield it from the prevailing westerly winds, and presented a long line of foaming surf to the passing coaches, while salty spray stung the faces of passengers and left white patches on their hats and clothing. The beach is bisected by the Totara River, a treacherous ford for vehicles, owing to deep scours and quicksands. The ferry at this river is dealt with in another chapter.

It was, and is, an uninteresting beach excepting at its southern end where, from 1870 onward, romance was writ thickly—the romance of gold and beachcombing, and of the Shetlanders who there formed a community of their own. A hardy, industrious, soberminded people were these men and women from Unst in the Shetland group of Islands, inured for generations to the labours and perils of the northern fishing grounds, which fostered a spirit of adventure. Acting upon this impulse, a few turned their thoughts to the new lands of the southern world, from which came rumours of fabulous riches and golden opportunities. It was a strong people, “strong with the strength of the race.”

In March, 1868, Magnus Mouat, aged twenty-four, and Gilbert Harper, with five others—Barclay Mouat, William and