HOBSON’S CHOICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19108, 28 June 1930, Page 22 (Supplement)

HOBSON’S CHOICE.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —I have many times vondefr ed where the term “ Hobson’s Choice ” had its inception, and just to what it originally referred. As probably many of your readers may t>e interested, I beg to say that in William Pratt’s “Colonial Experiences” he explains the origin. He says: “It was a singular, but well attested fact, that the New Zealand Company’s settlements and the Canterbury settlement, had to struggle against the open hostility of a Government supposed to be established to promote, cherish and strengthen the colonisation of these Islands; and it was only by the strenuous efforts and patriotic devotion of a determined band of able, earnest men, of whom Featherston, Fox, Fitzherbert and Godley were conspicuous examples, that difficulties almost insuperable were met and overcome, and of the fruits of which we are now in the quiet enjoyment. Governor Ilobson, on arrival itt the Colony, fixed his seat of Government at such a remote corner, that the most frequent communication with it was by way of Sydney. The Canterhurv settlers had to complain of studied neglect, direct attacks &sd mischievous interference, and the annals testify that a vessel was actually sent from Auckland to Wellington to attract from it labourers imported by the New Zealand Company at great cost, by offering high wages and free passagers to Auckland. When Colonel Wakefield was apprised of the expedition starting under the charge of his brother. Captain Arthur Wakefield, to found the settlement of Nelson, at?d endeavoured to get him to proceed to Port Cooper Plains (having heard from whalers of the fine tract of level country there) Governor Hobson torily forbade Arthur Wakefield going south, and limited the choice for th« new settlement to the shores of Blind Bay. Hence Nelsoh has always beea called “Hobson’s Choice.”—l am, etc., OLD CANTERBU RIAN.