The gold discoveries in New Zealand proved tempting and in September 1861 James and Frank Woodhouse sailed from Melbourne to Otago on the “Lightning”, and George Corden sailed on the “Empress of the Sea” with the intention of trying their luck at Gabriels Gully.  Miner’s Rights were issued to all three consecutively on 12 October 1861 in the Tuapeka district and the next numbered Miner’s Right was issued on the same day to Andrew Young, and his relationship with the Woodhouses will continue for the next 25 years or so.

The Woodhouse men must have felt their prospects would be better in New Zealand than Australia.  In March 1862 James and Frank returned to Australia on the “Eureka”, organised their affairs during the next six months, and then relocated permanently from Melbourne to Otago on the “City of Hobart” in September 1862.

History in its many versions tells us that James, Frank, George and Andrew found the first gold in the Teviot, with Miners Rights being issued at Mt Benger on 8 October 1862 to all four.  When they decided to stay put and camp on the banks of the Teviot they unwittingly became the first pioneer settlers in the district to be later known as Roxburgh.