Family History 4.22

Robinson Story

Joshua's diary

Getting established

 

Joshua

Captain H[eale] came to me one day when we had nearly completed our first job and informed us he hoped in a little while he would be ready for us to begin. I replied we could not comply with his requests as he had left us to our own resources. He had no claim upon us and we had other work to occupy us for some time. I told him when we had completed our second contract in about two or three months we might be at liberty, but it would be an entirely different arrangement. He was quite willing to agree to our suggestion.

 

In about three months after, we entered upon a contract with him at Mill Bay near the Manukau Heads. We should have done very well but there was great delay in getting the timber cut so that we worked two or three weeks and then would take about the same time waiting for timber. We finished our contract to his satisfaction, but when the mill was started unfortunately the breaking down saws were not adapted for kauri logs so that erecting the machinery was a total loss.

 

Quantities of logs that had been fallen were left to rot in the bush. They cut some down and cut up the flitches by the circular, but a time of extreme depression came and no money, little demand for timber and very low prices, so that the whole affair had to be abandoned and thus ended what at first seemed to provide good results. The three that engaged in the enterprise spent many thousands of pounds, wasted time and talents and died ruined men.

 

The man I was best acquainted with was a grand man, kind hearted and self sacrificing, took the greatest interest in the well being of all that was in his employ, but circumstances were against him. The last time I saw him was on the eve of his return to England. He told me he had spent three fortunes. He intended to gather up what he could and notwithstanding all his misfortunes come out again.

 

Symonds and Heale, two of the partners in the failed sawmill enterprise