Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/119

 the boats to the whales by signal. He died at Akaroa at a very advanced age.

J. Robinson Clough, 1830-40, better known as Jim Robinson, was living in Akaroa when Mr. W. B. Rhodes landed the first lot of cattle there in 1839. Clough joined an American whaler called Roslyn Castle in New Bedford. This ship put into Akaroa in March, 1837, whilst there Clough fell in love with a fine-looking Maori girl, the daughter of a chief. He left the ship and married her, and by her had two daughters and three sons. The youngest of the latter was the late George Robinson (Clough) of Little River, the celebrated wrestler and athlete. James Robinson Clough was in Akaroa, therefore, before the historical “hoisting of the flag.” Not only was this the case, but he actually contributed to the event by having been commissioned to procure the flagpole. He selected for this purpose a fine straight young Kahikatea. In 1848 he put up the first post and rail fence in Pigeon Bay. In 1851 he went to Homebush to carry out some fencing for Messrs. Deans Brothers. It is stated that Mr. C. B. Robinson presented the historical flag to Mr. Clough in recognition of his services in procuring the flagpole.