EARLY NEW ZEALAND

Northern Advocate, 3 May 1933, Page 3

EARLY NEW ZEALAND

EIRST SPAT OP GOVERNMENT. (By XY.E.D.) In solitude, even its existence almost forgotten, rests Okiato, the Maori name of the place which Governor Hobson, in .1840, selected as the most appropriate site for the first seat of Government, named it Russell (after Lord Russell) and took up his residence there a few months after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The location is across the water

about a mile from Opua wharf, and

from a distance there are no indications that this was the first capital in the Dominion—not a building, nor even a, ruin, as a connecting link with the past, only ground markings indicating what existed in the past. Full scope is therefore given the imaginative mind in wandering over this historical spot. Landing on the beach at Okiato Bay, which is on the far side from Opua, there are a few wooden poles to be seen at low water which indicate where the wharf ran out into deep water.

Nestled in a cave on the bank is a fisherman’s cottage, with roses everywhere, fishing nets drying in the breeze and on enquiring at. the cottage you will be shown some relics of the past, including old copper coins that have been dug up in the garden alongside.

I On the loft you ran see indications of a driveway that loads up to the plateau on which Government House stood, both sides being - dotted with old rose bushes. When yon have reached the brow of the hill, look back over ninety years and picture an avenue of roses bordering a gravelled driveway patterned after those at. Home. On the left and right are ground markings of circular flower beds with rose bushes still claiming their right to recall the past, and fifty yards further on stood Government House, the residence of Governor Hobson. While there are no definite indications of oven the foundations, one is compensated by the magnificent panoramic view of- the inner harbour of the Bay of Islands, with Waitangi in the distance. To the historian and artist, it is a meeca. , There arc the two places, Waitangi and the first seat of Government, in one scene, with dotted islands, landlocked miniature bays and wooded hills as a background. Keeping to the left, you can still follow the driveway to the second plateau, the old water well being at the side .of the drive with a rough wire fence guarding it. Adjacent are ground markings of extensive kitchen gardens. Now swing to the right, following the brow of the hill, and, on. coming to the border of the bush, here is where the flag .was hoisted proclaiming Bussell as the first seat of Government.

Where the flagstaff stood there is a hole throe feet, deep, and equally set off some twenty feet are to be seen indentations where the four guy-posts were driven in.

•We now travel along the coast-lino towards Opua, still keeping to the high land, and we come to the military camp site that guarded the seat of Government.

Only by ground marking can one pick out where the bell tents were pitched, and, lower down the hill, in what is now called Cable Bay, are to be soon indications of the officers’ quarters. Surrounding the camp are numerous old excavations and mounds, but there is no definite history to them. This' completes what one can today see of Bussell, the first capital, resting in solitude, almost forgotten. Wandering over this historical site, you can make your own picture—naval officers and men at the wharf, the rosccovered driveway winding up to Government House, where the Governor, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, proceeded to establish law and order from this residence. Picture his wife tending the rose gardens, the children playing on the lawns. Then visualise the sterner side—officers and men diligently carrying out their official duties. Is there any necessity to interfere with its solitude? Let it rest on tli \ hill overlooking Waitangi in the distance, only a- few bronze tablets to be erected here and there. Those interested would make winding pathways from tablet to tablet, picturing for themselves what was Bussell over ninety years ago.

There is no place in the Bay of Islands so alluring. It leaves a desire to visit it again and again. We wandered over in daylight and wondered if a visit at night, would require courage—ghosts might be soon.