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year 1864 was momentous in Old Westland’s history—a prelude in reality to the golden drama soon to be enacted. It was fitting, therefore, that William Horton Revell, the outstanding personality of the West Coast Goldfields, should first step into the limelight. “Big” Revell, as his friends loved to call him, had been appointed to succeed Charles Townsend, as the Canterbury Provincial Government Agent at the Grey. Prior to this appointment he had been Inspector of Police at Timaru, and on resigning that position was made a Justice of the Peace.

Born in the North of Ireland in September, 1829, he arrived in Westland in the heyday of his manhood. His was a commanding presence. Over six feet in height and built on