number of men, many of whom quickly got “on the gold,” Messrs. N. Edwards and Company decided to despatch the steamer Nelson thereto. Of this most important and historical event, which marks the beginning of what was to be the wonder city of the southern hemisphere, Preshaw, who, together with Broham, was actually present, states: “On December 20th, 1864, Captain Leech of the S.S. Nelson visited Hokitika and satisfied himself that he could take his steamer into the river. The owners (N. Edwards and Company) had chartered her on this her first trip to Messrs. Ferguson and Buchanan. Up to this time these gentlemen had been engaged as packers, but they now intended to start business as storekeepers. The river was full of snags, many of which could not be seen at high water, and were therefore dangerous for vessels entering without a pilot. A boatman named James Teer acted on this occasion. The sea was as smooth as glass; so smooth that he crossed the bar alone in his boat and piloted the vessel in in safety. She was full of cargo and crowded with passengers. Broham and I were on the south spit, and assisted to make her fast. The passengers were taken to the north side of the river—where the town of Hokitika afterwards stood—by boat. The place at that time was one mass of driftwood, so thick that it was impossible to get a horse or waggon through without clearing it away. The cargo was discharged inside the river on the beach,
