February 8th, 1873, Owhiro Bay, Wellington. 1845 hours.

The storm had assaulted Wellington's south coast with unrelenting fury; huge rollers had hurled themselves on the south-facing beach for days, and finally a setting sun peaked through fast moving clouds as the abating storm moved northwards. Protected from the cold southerly winds by steep scrub clad hills, a small colonial cottage nestled snugly in the valley. Smoke from the chimney had no chance to rise before the ...