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Chapter VI

Subsequent Explorers—The Oakes Expedition, 1857—James Mackay Explores Grey Valley—Harper and Locke Cross Southern Alps, 1857—James Mackay’s Second Visit, 1859—John Rochfort.

John Rochfort It was not until nine years after the departure of Brunner that Europeans again visited Westland, and then they came by way of the sea. These adventurous voyagers were the Oakes brothers, Thomas, John, and Joseph, who set out in March, 1857, from Port Cooper (Lyttelton), in the schooner Emerald Isle, bound for the West Coast, in quest of gold. They sailed down the East Coast and round the southern end of the South Island, then beating up the West Coast reached Martin’s Bay where they landed and spent some days prospecting. Coming further north they put into Jackson’s Bay, where they obtained a little gold, afterwards proceeding to the Hokitika River which they entered in good style, theirs being the first known vessel