‘Chatham Island Chronicle’

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 12

‘Chatham Island Chronicle’

(Contributed by the Canterbury- Ifyseum) The rich archives of the Canterbury Museum continually produce unexpected treasures. While looking trough the collection of Chatham Islands letters, manuscripts and pamphlets formerly belonging to the Rt Hon. Robert Stone Florence, one-iime (from June, 1898) resident magistrate, postmaster and of Customs, I found Numbers 1,2, 3, and 5 of the “Chatham Island Chronicle.”

Each issue consists of one sheet of the blue foolscap paper so beloved of officialdom for many years. Similar paper was used in an emergency to print the second issue of New Zealand stamps. The heading is neatly printed, and then each side of the paper is ruled into two columns. The first issue appeared on Saturday, August 17, 1867. On the first page—the obverse side—-the left hand column contains advertisements, a notice of marriage, and of mail closing time, and the right hand column carries the editorial. The second page—the reverse side—is similarly divided, the left column containing “original correspondence," and the right “local intelligence.” I do not know who the editor was—his editorials are unsigned—but he wrote an exSellent copper-plate hand and could cite a line of Latin verse from Virgil as his “banner”: “SIC PARVIS COMPONERE MAGNA SOLEBAT.” Filling a gap The reference, quite appropriate to the tiny world of the Chathams, was to the shepherd who was prone to compare his local village with Rome. “Thus he was wont to compare the small with the great.” His first editorial told his readers, who would be aware of his identity that: “In starting this small paper as a chronicle of events of the

Chatham Islands, we have done so not only that weekly occurrences of the locality should be recorded, but likewise as a source of amusement for those inhabitants who may feel disposed to contribute by their writings or communications. In a small community there is always felt a want of excitement, where by people are led into a state of lethargy and indifference and it is partly on this account that we have been induced to commence this little periodical.” The editor intended, if he received assistance, to issue as many copies each Saturday as he “should be enabled to write out.” Advertisements “tending to the public good” were free. Poor editor. He would find enough excitement the following May, when the Hauhau prisoners confined on the Chathams captured the redoubt, and seized the brig Rifleman, compelling the mate of the latter to land them at Whareongonga, on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. To return to the “Chronicle,” the second advertisement was for “The Waitangi Accommodation House — ales, wines and spirits of the finest quality—good accommodation — well aired beds—Beamish Brothers —Proprietors.” Local issues The Beamish Brothers were a Captain W. and George Beamish. The Captain was

one of the men whom the Hauhau prisoners placed in the local lock-up when they leaped. In No. 1 the correspondence was from “Bovis,” on stack propagation and “Qvis.” The latter is worth Wing: “Sir.—lt is with gn»t satisfaction that I witness the improvements commerced by a foothpath leading horn the barracks. I trust that the authorities will prohibit from running at large a number of pigs as they will do serious damage and make great destruction to the improvements now being carried on.” I think we may suspect the editor also of being "Bovis” and “Civis.” The No. 5 is dated September 14, 1867. This carried “foreign” news, an account of a Hauhau engagement from Opotiki on August 31, 1867, a small supplement on white paper, “Yesterday being the birthday of Lieutenant E. Tucker, officer commanding at Chatham Islands, the British Ensign was hoisted at the redoubt, and the hearty well wishes of the guard were demonstrated with true soldierly feeling.” As the imprint on each reads “Published every Saturday at Waitangi, Chatham Island, New Zealand," one would expect more than five numbers. The museum librarian would like to hear of other copies in existence in the hope of making up a complete set. —R.J.S.