OLD NEW ZEALAND IN PICTURE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 258, 28 July 1936, Page 8

OLD NEW ZEALAND IN PICTURE

Dominion Museum Collection

GIFT OF WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD

Many phases of the early history of New Zealand arc illustrated in a series of pictures presented by the Wellington Harbour Board and hung In the Dominion Museum. They are the work of Mr. J. M. Johnston, of the museum staff, a considerable number of them being copies from originals in the Alexander Turnbull Library. Mr. Johnston had the full co-operation and assistance of the librarian, Mr. Johannes C. Andersen, in reproducing them. A gallery of figures noted iu the country includes Abel Tasman, from a drawing by J. McDonald; Tasman at Murderer’s Bay in 1642, when four Dutchmen were killed, and a facsimile of his log published in 1898; Sir Joseph Banks, who visited New Zealand in 1769 and 1770, wearing a Maori garment; Captain James Cook, from the engraving by Sherwin, based upon the painting by Nathaniel Dance, R.A.; James Busby, appointed British Resident in 1832; Captain William Hobson, and Edward Gibbon Wakefield. There is also a photograph of the first sheet of the Treaty of Waitangi, containing numbers of the signatures; and another after a painting by Augustus Earle, Illustrating the meeting between that English artist and Hongi Hlka, chief of the Ngapuhis, at the Bay of Islands in 1827. Famous Battle Scenes.

Battles famous in the Maori wars in the colony which are illustrated include views of the British camp before Ruapekapcka Pa, or the “Bat’s Nest,” taken by the British on Sunday, January 'll, 1846, after what was previously a stout resistance, when the Native forces went out into the bush for Divine service; the battle of Horokiwi Valley, 1846; the battle of St. John’s Wood, 1847; Major von Tempsky, at the attack on Te Putahi Pa, 1866.

A town which played a big part in New Zealand’s early days, Kororareka, is Illustrated as It was in 1827 and 1860, and again as Russell in 1860. Early views of Auckland Include one in 1848, from the eastern side of Fort Britomart, showing St. Paul’s Church, and three others in 1552, from steel engravings by P. J. Hogan. Gisborne is seen as it was in 1871; Napier in 1858, showing the military barracks; New Plymouth iu 1843; Masterton, a view of High Street, about 1879; and the town of Petre (Wanganui) in 1841. Two chiefs who took prominent parts in the sale of the Port Nicholson district to Colonel Wakefield In 1839, Honiana te Puni and Te Wharepourl, are included In the gallery of noted Maoris. Another is Te Rangihaeata, the fighting general of Te Rauparaha-

Pictures of Old Wellington,

Cuba, the pioneer ship which brought Captain William Mein Smith, R.A., and his surveying staff to Wellington in 1840, is seen riding at anchor off Barrett’s Reef. Other pictures of particular .Wellington interest are Watt’s Peninsula in 1841, later called Miramar; Wellington in 18-13 from Flagstaff Hill, showing the early settlement of Te Aro Flat; another in 1849 of columns of soldiers marching down Hawkestone Street; an 1848 picture illustrating the Wesleyan Mission House, Manners Street, later destroyed by earthquake; and a picture of the laying of the foundation stone of the Oddfellows Hall on the beach in 1859. Pictures of early buildiugs in Wellington include Government House in 1871; Parliament Buildings, 1873; the old Supreme Court building on Lambton Quay, 1875; the Colonial Museum, 1874; Parliament Buildings in 1878 (burnt iu 1907) ; and Lambton Quay in 1878, showing the Bank of New Zealand building. Of South Island cities and towns, there are pictures of Nelson Haven, 1841; Nelson in 1842, showing the surveyors at work; Nelson in 1852; Port Lyttelton in 1850, with the first four immigrant ships lying at anchor; Lyttelton in 1861; Christchurch in 1802, and three of Dunedin, the first being in 1849. . „ ' „ There are 80 pictures m all, work on reproducing which has engaged Mr. Johnston for the past year. More are yet to be done. The museum authorities are always glad to receive as gifts or on loan pictures, paintings and drawings, and articles of interest on New Zealand’s early history.