ALFRED DOMETT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 1 (Supplement)

ALFRED DOMETT

BY RONALD BUCHANAN

POET AND STATESMAN

I 'suppose that to most of the present generation of New Zealanders the name of Alfred Domett means little, if anything; and of tho many who pass through tho corridors of the Parliament Building in Wellington, where hangs a very fine collection of portraits of our Premiers and Prime Ministers, from Sewell to Forbes, probably few so'much as stop to read tho namo under tho keen, cheery, cultured face of tho man who led tho administration of the colony for a time in 18G2-3. Yet among tho many eminent men who managed the affairs of State in our earlier years —and there wore giants in those days —few arc more deserving of an honoured memory than Domett. Alfred Domett was born at Camberwell Grove, Surrey, in May, 1811. After four years at Cambridge ho seems to lived a comparatively easy life in London, varied by occasional trips to Europe and America. But ho was by no means idle, in 1833, the year he left Cambridge, he published his first volume of poems. This was followed six years later by a second volume, and meanwhile he had been much occupied in tho writing of verso for Blackwood's Magazine. Some time must have been devoted, also, to the study of law, for in 1841 he was called to the Bar. During this period his most intimate friend was Robert Browning, and when, in 1842, Domett ' sailed for New Zealand as ono of the pioneers of tho Nelson settlement, Browning wrote thus of his going in his poem, " Waring What's become of Waring Since he cave ub all the Blip, Chose land travel or sea faring. i_ Boots and chest, or staff and scrip, Rather than pace up and down • Any longer London town? The poem speculates playfully as to India, or Russia, or Spain? But throughout it all there runs a vein of high regard and warm affection, together with a faith that wherever tho lost star should riso again, it would be to a career of splendour.

The Colonist Life in Nelson in the early forties must have been a new and strange experience to this cultured man fresh from the literary associations of London. From the earliest days of the settlement difficulties in the shape of land problems and labour troubles were encountered, and in 1843 tho settlers were to experience, in tho Wairau massacre, the colony's first serious clash with the native race. In connection with this tragic affair Domett took a prominent part in representing the matter to the Government from the point of view of the Nelson settlers; and, in addition to " A Narrative of the Wairau Massacre," he wrote a glowing tribute to the fine character and devoted service of tho principal victim, Captain Arthur Wakefield. Early in its history Nelson seems to have taken a prominent part in colonial affairs, and Domett was one of the outstanding figures of the settlement. It was he who wrote the petition to the Queen praying for the recall of Governor Fitzroy (a step which, as it appeared later, had already been decided upon by the Imperial authorities) The petition has been described as a masterly document, "drawn with singular ability and industry, and giving a sound arid Aviso view of the past history and actual condition of the colony."

In 18-18 Domett was appointed Colonial Secretary for the Province of New Minister, arid threo years later lie became Civil Secretary for the whole colony, holding the two positions until tho coming into force of the Constitution Act. He was afterward Resident Magistrate and Commissioner of Crown Lands in Hawke's Bay, a combination of offices that gave him a largo metysuro of control in that district, which did not achieve tho status of a province until 1858. To Domett is duo the literary system of street names in use in Napier. In Nelson also he did valuable work as Commissioner of Crown Lands. His public positions, indeed, were many and varied, ami filled with distinction. The Statesman

Domett's entry into the general politics of the country is marked by his election, at the end of 1855, as a member of the House of Representatives for Nelson. The following year the House met in the second Parliament of Hhe colony, and for the first time the proceedings were conducted under a system' of responsible government. It was an assembly that boasted a fine selection of notable men, most of whom were later to attain high office in the government of the country.

The Constitution Act,, while it had brought many advantages, had produced also some disturbing problems. One of these, was the conflict of interest between the Provinces and the Central Government. Another was the divided control, as between the Government and the Colonial Office, in the matter of native affairs. It complicated very considerably the task of dealing with the native troubles that were ere long to occupy the attention of successive Governments almost to the exclusion of all else. In 1862 the second Fox Ministry resigned as the result of an even division on proposals it submitted on this question, and Domett undertook the formation of a Government. Domett's reign of fifteen months does not. seem to have been distinguished by any outstanding achievement, hut in view of the circumstances this is hardly surprising. It is probable, too, that he failed to find in the realm of party politics a suitable sphere for the play of the statesmanlike qualities he undoubtedly possessed. He resigned in October, 1863. From 1866 until his return to England in 187,1 he sat as a member of the Legislative Council. The Poet Jt is perhaps as . a poet that Domett will be best though it is 'doubtful if his work in this direction is as well known or as much appreciated as it deserves. His most noteworthy production is, of course, " Kanolf and Amoliia," published in England in 1872. Of this fine work the late W. Pember Peeves said: "It is the solitary New Zealand poem to which the English critics have awarded distinction." It describes with remarkable fullness and accuracy the scenery and natural history of New Zealand, and the life, customs and traditions of the Maori people, while at tho same time telling a charmingly romantic story of ,-tho lovo of tho sailor-student and the beautiful daughter of Tangi Moana. The poet's frequent excursions into philosophic speculation may prove a little wearisome to the ordinary reader, but they at least give ovidonco of tho high degree of scholarship and intellectual vigour that he brought to hid task. Five years later lie publishod "Flotsam and 'Jetsam —Rhymes Old and' New." This was dedicated to his old friend Browning, and appears to have been his last work of note. Ho died in November, 1887. Domett's name is preserved for us in a mountain peak in Otago, and in a little township in North Canterbury. The first, if remote and little known, will at least prove an enduring monument; as to the second, it may be said that it is not unfitting that it lies fan the road to Parnassus.