Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/59

 up to his opponent, and confessed that he had been beaten by a better man, and, as an evidence of the admiration he felt for his prowess, presented him with £5. They were fast friends from that time, and whilst the ship remained at Port Chalmers the mate dined every Sunday with Mr. Jones. The latter was of great assistance to the early settlers, and built the first large stone house, which is now the Fern Hill Club. He died at a good old age, leaving a large family.

In the “thirties” there was a whaling plant at Little Port Cooper. I can remember seeing the bricks on which the try-pots had been supported. The whaling ships at times landed their try-pots, and when they got a whale they landed the blubber also and left men to try out the oil on shore.

Port Levy was a favourite spot for the whalers to land for wood and water, and to spell their men. It was those old whalers who gave Pigeon Bay its name. They were accustomed to go there in whaleboats to procure pigeons, which were then very plentiful.