RUSSELL'S HISTORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 12

RUSSELL'S HISTORY.

NOT THE OLD CAPITAL. FORMER SITE THREE MILES AWAY. The general belief is that the little town oi' Russell was the first capital of New Zealand, but, as a matter of fact, when Governor Hobson set up the first Government of New Zealand, it was not at the present township of Russell, but at Russeltown, three miles awav. This fact has been previously recorded, and it is confirmed by Captain Smith, master of the Putiki, who bases his information on his own boyhood experiences and discoveries, supported bv the recollections of his father, Mr. George E. Smith, an old pioneer of the Bay of Islands district,

Captain Smith states that he well remembers as a boy playing round the site of ■ the old Government buildings. Upon the property there still remains toe foundations of Governor Hobson's house. There are-still the remnants of the first New Zealand gaol, even to the bricks with which the floors were paved, while the old stockade can be traced round, and the roses which once adorned the well-kept garden still bloom iu profusion. On the top of the hill is a hole about 6ft deep, and 2ft in diameter, where .the Governor's flagstaff formerly stood, and at the back of the section are the remains o the Maori pa, with its trenches and other excavations and earthworks.

A considerable number of drains where the soldiers' bell-tents were erected can still be traced, and during their youthful explorations. Captain Smith and his brothers came across many interesting relics. Among these were an old doublebarrelled pistol, buttons from various regiments, scores of round lead bullets, and a pressedrcopper star, four inches in diameter, bearing the inscription, "SOth regiment."

This spot is the real site of the first seat of Government, according to Captain Smith, his father having purchased the property from the Government in ISflO, the area of liis purchase being about 50 acres. It had been surveyed the previous year by Mr. Wheeler, Government surveyor, who stated in his report in connection with his operations: "One of my duties was the cutting up into marketable sections of the Government area at- the mouth of the Waikarc inlet, opposite Opua, Bay of Islands, which was bought —with, I understand, some buildings on it—for the seat of Government, and called Russeltowri, for the sum of £16,000."

It therefore seem 3 clear that the real .Russell is situated' about three ruile.s away from the present township, and although it is now known as Russeltown, its former name was Russell. The present township was originally known as Kororareka, its native name, and Captain Smith docs not know how its name came to be changed to Russell. Mr. George Smith is naturally very proud to own his block of land, which represents one of the prettiest spots in the Bay of Islands, but' he thinks it should have been kept as a reserve, on account of its historic interest.