CHAPTER VIII.
Dr Stuart's Goldfields Reminiscences.
DR STUART, at the special request of friends, has been good enough to furnish the following reminiscences of the Otago Goldfields in the early days:—
The Rev. A. B. Todd, of Oamaru, then settled at Tokomairiro, was probably the first of our ministers who visited Gabriel's Gully. In those days ministers and people were alike eager that the diggers should have the glorious Gospel proclaimed to them with some regularity. The Rev. Mr Stobo, of Invercargill, never failed to keep his appointment, though his doing so meant a ride of four days each way on his galloway. Nor must the services of Messrs Bannerman and Will be overlooked.
Among the laymen who rendered notable service in connection with public worship on the diggings, Mr J. L. Gillies ranks first and foremost. He started a fund for meeting in part the expenses of ministers, and took the lead in providing a comfortable tent which should be the parlour, study, and sleeping apartment of the ministers. Mr Gilbert, now of Lovell's Flat, was always ready to hold service, as was also Mr Le Brun, who I think returned to Australia. Other members of Knox Church assisted in this work when business took them thither, as Mr T. B. Gillies (afterwards Mr Justice Gillies), who was so eager in the cause that his horse was at my disposal whenever it was my turn to visit the Goldfields. Nor must I omit mention of the late Mr A. C. Strode, whose position as Warden gave him considerable influence on the Goldfields, and who ever manifested the warmest interest in the welfare of the diggers, and greatly encouraged and assisted those who sought to convey to them the Gospel message. Mr T. S. Forsaith (now the Rev. Mr Forsaith of Paramatta, N.S.W.) rendered good service to religion on the Diggings in the early days. He came from Auckland in 1861 to edit the Otago Colonist in compliance with the dying wish of his old friend, Mr Lambert, the proprietor. He joined Knox Church, and was ready for any service he
