Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4900, 31 July 1877, Page 4

EARLY COLONIAL UECOKDS. Tun sinking of the White Swan in ISC'2, ou her way to Wellington, deprived the country of a large number of the documents connected with the early history of tho colony. Many documents have gone amiasiug from other causes. There is no doubt many are

still in private hands, though there is no doubt many have been lost and destroyed before the disaster to the White Swan. A few of these scattered papers may yet bo gathered together in our museums and public libraries, but a blank hai been made which can never be filled up. The other day Mr. Justice Gillies presented to the Auckland Institute a large quantity of memoranda relating to tho early days of Biitish settlement in Xciv Zealaud, but these were not as a rule original official documents. In the Aucklaud Museum are no , .',' to be found several of thuftjfrliest public documents connected with tho history of the colon}'.

Subjoined is a copy of the tir.sfc State paper connected with Xew Zealand as a British colony. The original, in Governor llobson's own handwriting, was presented to tho Auckland Institute on the 12th Mav, IS7I, by tlie Hon. Dr. Pollen. The subject of the paper is Governor Hobson's reply to the aclilress of welcome given him by the settlers at the Bay of Islands on his arrival there early in 18-10, to assume the Government of the colony, i.nd is as follows :— "Gentlemen, —I received with unfeigned satisfaction your very loyal and patriotic address, and I most sincerely thank you for your kind congratulation on my safe arrival on these shores. In undertaking the highly responsible dutios of my office, it strengthens my eonlidenne to (iud that you so fully appreciate the fostering kindness ind watchful care of our Moit Gracious Sovereign, who is ever ready to promote the best interests of her subjects, has taken measures for extendin;,' to this highly gifted land the protecting influence of British laws and British iusti- i tutions, and it is nattering to my feelings that you, gentlemen, consider that he whom ] Her Majesty has been pleased to select for carrying into effect the benign institutions is not unworthy of the trust. Gentlemen, the pledge of support you so freely and so cheerfull}' accord in me, leaves no doubt on my mind that the peace and order of your society will be preserved, and that tho temporary inconvenience resulting from the immature state of Government arrangements will be unfelt. Once more, gentlemen, allow me to thank yon for the sentiments you have been good enough to express, and for the honour you have done me in presenting this address.—W. Hobson, Lt.-Governor.— Kororarica, Day of Islands, February 3, 1540."

A few days ago Mr. John Gordon, of Otahuhu, presented to the Museum the original manuscript proclamation (the fourth that had been made since Now Zealand bcca*"io a British colony), issued by Gos-ernor Hobson, against the Association formed at Port Nicholson (Wellington), which had for its object the upsetting of the Government of the colony. The Governor in those days had to be contented with a written proclamation, there being no printing press in the colony. The proclamation bears Governor Si'obson's signature, am' that of the then Colonial Secretary, Willouguby Shortland, and reads as folio ive :— " Proclamation*. "Whereas, certain persons residing at Port Nicholson, New Zealand, part of the Dominion of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, have formed themselves into an illegal association, under the titlo of a ' Council' and in contempt of Her Majesty's authority, have assumed and attempted to usurp the powers rested in me by Her Majesty's letters patent for the Government of the said Colony, to the manifest injury and detriment of all Her Majesty's liego subjects in Xew Zealand. Now, therefore, 1, William Nobson, Lieutenauc-Govcruor of Xew Zealand, com maud all person:) connected with such illegal association immediately to withdraw there from, and I call upon all persons resident, at Port Nicholson, or elsewhere within the limits of this Government, upon the allegiance tlioy owe to Her .Majesty Queen Victoria, to submit to the proper authorities in. New Zealand legally appointed, and to aid and assist them in the discharge of their respective duties. Given uuder my hand at Government House,.Russell, Bay of lslauds, this 23nl day of May, in the year of our Lord ISlO.—>V. Hobsos, Lieutenant Governor. By command of his Excellency ihe Lieutenant Governor, Willoughby Shortir.iid, Colonial Secretary. God Save the Quueu ! ! !

Those win have original valuable doeunients in their possession, should place them in the Museum, now that tho Auckland Institute has a safe place for keeping them, so that they may bo available to those who may wish to make use of them.