° Napier ° New Plymouth ° Port Chalmers
° Port Nelson ° Wellington
The beautiful 1855 first edition example of J. H. Colton's map of Hawaii and other Polynesian island groups below contains seven separate maps. The top map, occupying the upper half of the sheet, details the Hawaiian Islands or Sandwich Islands, as they were also known. This particular mapping of Hawaii dates to the 1841 U.S. Exploring Expedition to the Pacific.
A second map inset in the lower left corner of the Hawaii map details the Samoan Islands. While Colton most likely grouped these together as a matter of space saving practicality, we find it ironic that both territories would eventually become part of the United States.
(Click on map image for additional views and details.)
Many of the vessels sailing from the United Kingdom before 1858 were operated by the Blackball and Willis, Gann and Co. lines. Walter Saville, a clerk, for Willis, Gann and Co. had great foresight and left the company and started his own company in partnership with Robert Shaw in 1859 by chartering vessels for the UK - NZ trade. Smaller private companies continued to bring emigrants out to New Zealand throughout the years. Vessels were often chartered or sold between the shipping companies and this change of house flag often resulted in a name change for the vessel. When steam monopolized the emigrant trade many of the "white wings" were "sold foreign," resulting in a name change. Steamers opened the first mail route to New Zealand.
Colonies and India, September 3, 1890
London, England
The export of flax from New Zealand has kept up very well, notwithstanding the heavy fall in prices which occurred in the early part of the year. In 1884 the exports amounted to 4,042 tons, and in 1889 they had increased to 17,084 tons. Through the fall of prices many mills had ceased working about last March, but, from the returns just to hand, we learn that the output for the January-March quarter reached the respectable total of 8,405 tons, or nearly half as much as the total shipments for 1889. During the first six months of the present year 49,815 bales of flax were shipped to London, while in the same period 26,015 bales were sent to America.
Auckland
Auckland had been selected as the capital of New Zealand by Captain Hobson in 1840 as he liked the isthmus. The port is on the east coast of North Island and is situated on the sparkling waters of Waitemata Harbour surrounded by the city. Onehunga is situated on the west coast of the North Island and on the northeast shore of the immense Manukau Harbour, 27km from the Tasman Sea entrance. The first large party of immigrants arrived on aboard the Duchess of Argyle and the Jane Gifford on 10th Oct 1842.
Australia and New Zealand Gazette, June 22, 1872
London, United Kingdom
AUCKLAND.
Last quarter there was an increase in the amount of customs duty collected in Auckland, and from the figures given below it will be seen that the quarter ending March 31 this year, as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1871, shows an increase of 10,685£. The abundance of labour caused by the public works now in progress has no doubt increased the consumption of goods among the working classes in the province. The advance is noticeable upon almost every description of goods, the leading increases being—imported spirits, 1,338£; New Zealand spirits, 501£ cigars and snuff, 522£, tobacco, 860/; wine, 351£; tea, 435£; goods by measurement, at 5 schillings per cubic foot, 1,176£. All other goods, by measurement and weight, show increases. The Customs returns for the Thames district show the amount of duty collected during the quarter ending March 31 of this year to have been 3,712 4s 9d, while during the corresponding quarter of 1871 only 1,777£ was collected.
On April 17, in accordance with previous invitation, a large number of the prominent citizens of Auckland paid a visit to the splendid sidewheel steamer Nevada, to partake of luncheon with her commander, Captain J . Blethen. The favourite little steamer Devonport was employed to convey the guests aboard. As the steamer rounded-to under the Nevada's side-wheel, a welcome was thundered forth from the brazen throat of one of the ship's guns, and Captain Blethen cordially received his guests as they swarmed through the gangway. The following gentlemen were among those who accepted invitations : — His Honour Judge Beckham, Messrs. E. Isaacs, H. Isaacs, E. Bucholz (German Consul), II. P. Barber, G. White (United States Consul), W. A. Graham, J . E . Coney, J . L. Campbell, W. C. Wilson, L. 1). Nathan, L. A. Nathan, J . Farmer, W. T. Buckland, A. Buckland, T. Broham, D. B. Cruickshank (Chilean. Consul), C. Williamson, James William, his Worship the Mayor, P. A. Philips, Esq., John Williamson, Captain M. Bailee, Captain Roberts, Captain Mellen, Captain Freeman, Captain Geerkens, Captain Dyson, Captain Whithead.
Lyttelton Harbour (Christchurch)
Lyttelton Harbour, a drowned volcanic cone on the east coast, is the port to the largest South Island city, Christchurch, which is minutes away by road or rail. Christchurch has been an important trade center on the fertile Canterbury Plains which extend south towards Timaru since William and John Deans, farmers, settled at Riccarton Bush about 1843. They named the Avon after a river in their native Scotland. Lyttelton was gazetted an official port-of-entry on 30th August 1849 and was renamed nine years later in honor of Lord George Lyttelton, chairman of the Canterbury Association. It was known as Port Cooper in the 1830s and appears as Port Victoria on a map of 1849. Edward Gibbon Wakefield and J.R. Godley formed the Canterbury Association to establish an Anglican settlement on the Canterbury Plains. William Deans arrived at Port Nicholson in January 1840 aboard the Aurora along with John Gebbie, wife and son. John Deans arrived in Nelson in 1842. Situated on the south side of Banks Peninsula is Akaroa Harbour, another deep crater, where the French established a colony 1840. Banks Peninsula was in honor of the botanist on the Endeavour Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820)
Australian and New Zealand Gazette, October 8, 1853
London, United Kingdom
ARRIVAL OF STOCK.—The ship William Prowse has landed a large number of sheep, horses, and cattle at Lyttelton in excellent condition, but the celebrated stallion, Aaronite, had died on the passage from Newcastle. The cattle were sold by auction, and realized from 11£ to 14£ per head, and the sheep were disposed of readily at 25s. each.
Napier
Napier is located on the east coast of North Island, in Hawke Bay. Ahuriri was renamed Napier when the Pakeha settled via overland routes in the late 1840's. Napier was declared a port of entry in 1855. The Royal Bride, 526 tons, from London under Captain Laker was wrecked at Napier on June 22nd 1863 two miles from the harbor entrance after dragging anchors. No lives were lost. She carried 24 assisted emigrants.
New Plymouth
New Plymouth was foundered by the Plymouth Company of New Zealand which purchased land from the New Zealand Company. Port Taranaki is located on the west coast of the North Island. The first emigrant vessel, the William Bryan, departed November 19, 1840 and arrived at Moturoa Beach March 30, 1841 with one-hundred and forty settlers from Devon and Cornwall.
British Banner, August 22, 1849
London, United Kingdom
NEW ZEALAND.
Chartered by the New Zealand Company, to Sail on the 1st of October next.
FOR NEW PLYMOUTH, NELSON, WELLINGTON, and OCTAGO, the splendid first-class passenger Ship, BERKSHIRE, A 1,580 tons register. JOHN WHYTE, Commander.
Lying at the Jetty, London Docks.—The accommodations of this Ship are of a very superior character; the Company will appoint an experienced Surgeon, and provide Medicines and Medical Comforts. The rates of passage will be as follows; —For each person fourteen years old and upwards,—chief cabin, Forty-five Guineas; fore cabin, Twenty-five Guineas; steerage, Eighteen Guineas. For each child seven years old and under fourteen—chief cabin, Twenty-seven Guineas; fore cabin, Fifteen Guineas; steerage, Ten Guineas. For each child one year old and under seven,— chief cabin, Eighteen Guineas; fore cabin, Ten Guineas; steerage, Eight Guineas. Children under one year, not chargeable.
A separate agreement must be entered into with respect to Stern and Poop Cabins, and half a ton freight will be allowed to chief cabin, and half a ton to a fore cabin passenger.
A deposit is required of one-half the passage-money to be paid on securing the passage, and the remainder one day previous to embarkation.
For Freight, Passage, or further information, apply at New Zealand House; or to Joseph Stayner, 110, Fenchurch Street.
N-B. It is requested that the Port of Destination be distinctly marked on all Goods and Baggage, or similar notice given to the broker.
Port Nelson
Port Nelson is a natural haven situated in the SE of Tasman Bay, at the top of the South Island. During 1842, over three thousand people were brought into Nelson by the New Zealand Company in twenty four ships and by 1850 four thousand had come as company settlers. The first emigrant vessel into Nelson was the Fifeshire which arrived 1 February 1842, which is considered the date of establishment of the settlement. She was a 557 tons barque and had arrived in Wellington 16 January 1842 after departing London 26 September. The Fifeshire under the command of under Captain Arnold was wrecked while leaving Nelson on February 27, 1842 when the tide carried her onto Arrow Reef named after a vessel that was part of the survey expedition. During the second voyage out to New Zealand in May 1847 the Louisa Campbell bound from Auckland to Nelson via New Plymouth, grounded on sandbank two miles from Cape Farewell and became a total loss.
Wellington
The site of Wellington was settled in 1840 by emigrants from Great Britain brought there by the New Zealand Company. In 1865, Wellington became the capital of New Zealand, superseding Auckland. The city is named for Arthur Wellesley, 1st duke of Wellington, the British soldier and statesman. The first New Zealand Company settlers arrived at Port Nicholson, Wellington January 22, 1840 after 110 days at sea. The Aurora, a fully rigged ship of 550 tons, was the leading emigrant vessel with 58 males and 90 females, and was quickly followed by another eight bringing about one thousand settlers to the area. Among the cabin passengers were Edward Stafford. The Aurora left Port Nicholson and was wrecked at the mouth of the Kaipara Harbour when sailing for Hokianga on 27th April 1840. On January 31, 1840, the ship Oriental arrived with 155 passengers. The Bolton, 540 tons, sailed from London November 19, 1839 and arrived 20 August, 1840 in Port Nicholson, Wellington's harbour with 232 passengers. The Tyne arrived at Port Nicholson April 1841 with 98 passengers from Gravesend. She was a wooden barque of 427 tons, later, left Gravesend on February 24, 1845 bound for Nelson but proceeded to Wellington due to a gale and was driven ashore at Sinclair Head on 4th July 1845. All hands were saved.
Australian and New Zealand Gazette, October 8, 1853
London, United Kingdom
We can at length congratulate our readers on the certain prospect of possessing Steam Navigation, for at least our own local purposes, within a comparatively short period. During the last fortnight a company, limited at present to a few members, has been formed, and having made arrangements with the Board of Trustees for a loan of 3,000£ from the Steam Fund for six years, without interest (which is equivalent to a yearly bonus of 240£, it has been determined to bring out immediately from England a screw steamer of about 80 tons, of a draft of water which will enable her to enter the Wairau river, and to run her between this port and the Wairau, calling at Wellington, and such other places in this province as shall be found most desirable. Should this experiment succeed, the present company will be in a favourable position for extending steam navigation throughout the colony, if not provided in the mean time by other parties; and we make no doubt but that the company will then be able to obtain a charter of incorporation, and raise the capital necessary for such an undertaking. The steamer now to be ordered will be of iron, and be rigged as a three-masted schooner, and it is intended that she shall possess every requisite for the comfort and convenience of a large number of passengers, and be adapted to the peculiar trade she is intended for, which will consist in a great measure in the carrying of wool and live stock.—Nelson Examiner.
Australian and New Zealand Gazette, November 2, 1867
London, United Kingdom
NEW ZEALAND
WELLINGTON
September 8.
The Panama Company's steam ship Rakaia arrived on the 27th Aug. with the English mails of July 2. She left Panama on July 25, and had very fine weather and light easterly winds until her arrival at Opara Island; but during the passage between that island and Wellington she met with strong W. and S.W. winds, accompanied by a heavy sea. She sighted no vessels. A serious complaint was made by the mail agent regarding the conduct of Captain Machin, the commander of the vessel—a gentleman long known in this and the neighbouring colonies of Australia. The captain was charged with having, on the night before arrival in port, been much the worse for liquor and endangering the safety of the ship, and Captain Benson, the Manager of the Panama Company, promptly investigated the case, and after due inquiry felt it his duty to dismiss him from the company in which he had served and born an unimpeachable character for a long course of years. The matter did not even stop here, for an information was laid against him by the Government on the charge of endangering the lives of the passengers and the safety of the ship. On this charge, however, Captain Machin was acquitted, but on another investigation instituted by his Excellency the Governor he was considered unfit to hold his master's certificate, which was cancelled. The harsh sentence took the public very much by surprise, as it was thought the great loss he had sustained by being deprived of his command was a sufficient punishment, and that at most his certificate might have been suspended for a time. A petition to the Governor on his behalf has been drawn up and was being very numerously signed . . .
The Otago gold fields difficulty has again cropped up in the disoussion on the Gold Fields Judicial Officers Bill—a measure introduced to protect the gold fields officers of Otago from any undue interference on the part of the Provincial Government on account of their adherence to the General Government during the recent disturbances, and to authorise the Colonial Government to pay the salaries of those officers. Mr. J. Macandrew, Mr. Vogel, and one or two others denounced this as a breach of faith on the part of the Government, and indulged in a repetition of most unseemly threats of consequences. The House, however, resented such threats and passed the bill by a large majority, and it has since passed the Upper House. Mr. Macandrew and his party say that they will not accept the proposed delegation, but they will probably change their minds.
A new bankruptcy law has been prepared by a select committee of the House of Representatives, and is now under consideration. It is proposed to adopt as far as possible the Scotch system of leaving the administration of insolvent estates in the hands of the creditors, and it is also proposed to abolish altogether that remnant of barbarism, imprisonment for debt. This last proposition is likely to meet with some opposition, but will probably be carried.
March 31, 1894, Colonies and India
London, United Kingdom
TRADE NOTES
The Kaikoura, one of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers, left Wellington on March 24, for London, with 25,000 carcases of frozen mutton, 570 tons of cheese and butter, and other colonial produce.
