HISTORIC CANOE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 3, 28 September 1939, Page 8

HISTORIC CANOE

Used For Carriage Of

Mails In 1841

RELIC OF WELLINGTON’S FIRST POSTMASTER

Of particular interest during the centennial, a 100-year-old Maori canoe has been placed on exhibition at the Dominion Museum. It is of considerable historical importance, for it played an essential part in the early colonization of Wellington. This is the mail canoe used in 1841 by the Hon. W. B. D. Mantell, first postmaster at Wellington. It was used by him iu the early days for going out to meet the sailing ships on arrival, and taking ashore whatever mails they brought. It was also probably used for carrying mails between Wellington and Petone, before the Hutt Road was completed. Mr. Mantell came to New Zealand by the Oriental, which arrived at Port Nicholson iu January, 1840. He was then 20. After a few months at Wanganui, he returned to Wellington to be appointed postmaster and clerk, an office which he held for three years. It is Interesting to recall that later in his career, after a lapse of 20 years, he was again associated with the postal services, this time as Post-master-General in the Dommett administration.

Mr. Mantell was closely in sympathy with Native affairs, and was indeed Native Minister, and it is therefore fitting that this memorial of his first official position should be a Maori canoe.

The vessel is about 30 feet long, hewn from a single totara trunk. It has been presented to the Museum by Mrs. W. Mantell, Wellington, and is on view in the main Maori hall.