Arthur Lagden Haylock was born in Akaroa, Banks Peninsula in 1860, is interviewed in Wellington, where he has lived since 1892.
In 1850 his father came to New Zealand on the barque ‘(Northern) Monarch’ with his four sons from a previous marriage: Peter, Charles, George and Harry. In 1854 Peter froze to death on the hills above Wainui on Akaroa Harbour. All sons have since passed away, with Arthur losing his father in the year he was born.
Arthur attended a Christchurch school when he was four, which was run by Reverend Alabaster. At nine, he was sent to school in Dunedin.
In 1870 Arthur enjoyed following the events of the Franco-German War from the ‘posters’ in a Dunedin tobacconists window. Arthur recalls his experiences and friends within the French community in Akaroa: Madame Bureaux [?] Madame Gandon [?] and Monsieur F. Lelievre.
Arthur recalls the Akaroa Customs Officer Captain Graves, who was Mrs Bridge’s father and how he would confiscate tobacco and wine found on board ships.
Arthur describes how his family were charitable and helped a family.
He tells of the hanging of man at the Terrace Gaol who had gone to Silverstream in the North Island and stole and shot another man, the body of which was then found by the police and the detectives.
George Cook, the ‘Lone-Hander’, was a writer known to Arthur. He was a reporter for the Auckland Weekly News. In the 1830’s George Cook’s father was working with a man named Stewart who Arthur believes Stewart island was named after.
Arthur also talks of Captain John Stewart and the brig ‘Elizabeth’, explaining how Stewart caused the massacre involving [Ngāi Tahu chief] Te Maiharanui, who was taken to Ōtaki and killed. He also mentions the further massacre at Ōnawe which also involved Te Rauparaha.
Arthur’s father was married to Arthur’s mother when they came to New Zealand, with his four sons by his then deceased wife.
Arthur explains how his brother Peter died, travelling from Barry’s Bay at the head of the harbour to Lucas Bay whaling station. When he was on the top of the ridge at Mt Bossu without a coat, the weather changed to snow. Peter sheltered but was found dead seven days later, with his horse, having survived, grazing nearby.