WAKEFIELD GRAVES

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 119, 23 May 1933, Page 5

WAKEFIELD GRAVES

SOUGHT BY VISITOES

POUNDERS OF NEW ZEALAND Many visitors to Wellington wish to sco the graves of those who played important parts in the founding of Wellington or in its early progress, and the most frequent requests are for direction to the Wakefleld graves. These wore completely renovated a year or so ago, but tho massive headstones are placed horizontally, and escape tho glance of the visitor "from tho paths. The graves lie on the Mowbray Street side of the Bolton Street Cemetery. They may be easily reached from either the Sydney Street or the Bolton Street. entrance. Following the path from Sydney Street one comes to a point where it dips steoply. Just at tho corner, plainly visible when approaching it, stands a big pine, with St. Andrew's Church in the distance. If one turns off to the left some twenty yards before reaching this pine the graves will be found rather nearer the fence than the path. If the entrance is made from Bolton Street, and one turns to the right after passing the church, the same tree will bo found at the top of the rise in the path, and by'proceeding twenty yards arid turning to the right, the graves will come into view. The graves are surrounded by a strong iron railing, but tho easiest part' of this memorial to the founders of- Wellington to notice is tho tablet, weatherworn and historically interesting, setting forth briefly the main facts of interest. Members of the Wakefleld family had more to do with tho future of New Zealand than most of the present generation realise. FIRST NEW ZEALAND PURCHASE. Colonel William Wakefiold and ►Edward Jerningham Wakefleld, his nephew and secretary, arrived in Wellington Harbour on September 20, 1839, in the pioneer ship Tory, of 400 tons, -which was piloted by Dicky Barrett. . The vessel was met by two canoes containing the two principal chiefs of the Maori tribes A living ashore, and, after negotiations, rand considerably greater than tho Wellington city and suburban area was purchased by Colonel Wakefleld as agent for the New Zealand Land Company for the following miscellaneous goods:—"100 red blankets, 100 muskets, two tierces of tobacco, 48 iron pots, 2 cases of soap, 15 fowling pieces, 21 kegs of gunpowder, 1 cask of ball cartridges, 1 keg of lead slabs, 100 cartouche boxes, 100 tomahawks, 40 pipe tomahawks, 1 case of pipes, 2 dozen spades, 50 steel axes, 1200 fishhooks, 12 bullet moulds, 12 dozen shirts, 20 jackets, 20 pairs of trousers, 60 red nightcaps, 300 yards of cotton duck, 200 yards of calico, 100 yards of check, 2 dozen pocket handkerchiefs, 2 dozen slates and 200 pencils, 10 dozen lookingglasses, 10 pocket knives, 10 dozen pairs of scissors, 1 dozen pairs of shoes, 1 dozen umbrellas, 1 dozen hats, 2 pounds of beads, 100 yards of ribbon, 1 gross of jew-s harps, 1 dqzen razors, 10 dozen dressing combs, 6 dozen hoes, 2 suits of supevUne clothes, 1 dozen shaving boxes and brushes, 2 dozen adzes, and 1 dozen sticks of sealing wax." Tho distribution was made on the decks of the Tory, and thus, on September 27,1839, did the New Zealand Land Company make its ' first purchase ' (Whanga-Nui-a-Tara, or Port Nicholson) in New Zealand, tho deed of settlement being prepared by Colonel Wakeiield, who ordered the New Zealand flag to be hoisted upon landing. "The same ■was done at the main of the Tory,' runs tho official narrative, "which saluted with twenty-one guns, to. the great delight of the Natives at the noise and smoke." Writing to his son in' England on . 'August 16, 1840, Mr. Francis Brady says: _" Colonel Wakefleld is decidedly one of the most kindheartedmen in the world, and "gives general satisfaction; lie is greatly .beloved. by the.Natives as well'as by his own countrymen, and no.man can be better qualified for so great an undertaking as the company's principal.agent in New Zealand." ■ During the ensuing years tho selection and possession of the lands taken up by settlers whose names have become household words passed through the : hand of' Colonel Wakefield, who issued the company's certificates of title. After taking a prominent part in the early troublous days, he died on September 23, 1848. Edward Gibbon Wakefield had a more widely varied and interesting career. He was in the'secret service in the1 days of Napoleon, and his statesmanlike influence later had much to do with the welfare of both Canada arid Australia, as well as of New Zealand. As a director of the New Zealand Company he played an outstanding part in the'struggle between the Colonial Office and the company, and he was actively concerned in the race to make New Zealand part of the British- possessions when it was known that there was a possibility of France attempting the same object. To his creation of the New Zealand Company, and its careful selection of colonists, New Zealand owes, much today. He died in Wellington ou May 16, 1862. His bust was placed in the Colonial Office. The wealth of historical facts with .which the Wakeflelds were associated would take much space to chronicle. Their, last..resting-place is visited by many of the travellers who pass through this city.