Captain Smith's Report.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1810, 22 March 1886, Page 3

Captain Smith's Report.

To the Editor of the Standard. Sot.—“ Where ii Captain bmitli's report t ” m lb# beading of a leading article which appeared in your paper a few days ago la tbe year 1855 ibe whole of the Provincial Government Offices were destroyed by fire, and the whole of tbe blue books and Provincial and Government Acts were destroyed to ibe beat of my recollection. Tbe cnly thing that was save 1 was an iron chest with some valuable papers in it, which was Itot out with great difficulty by Mr Sawvtr, long afterwards signal man 'on Mount Vic* tons Mr father, tbe late Bichard Wakelin, being elerk to tbs superintendent and emigration agent, and editor of the Independent newspaper at the time, and taking great interest in the Government of the colony, was able to s.cure for himaelf a copy of ill tbe blue books and Provincial Acts previous to the fire, and kept them up till tbe time of bia death. I, being left executor, had these books put in a box, and placed in a spare room, as my lather often told me to be sure and keep them as they were valuable, because ba believed he was tbe only person who bad a complete set Unfortunately. my boose was burnt dowa some time ago, and tbe box containing the books was destroyed, but tbe books being very closely packed, tbe fire did not destroy the middle portion of them, and I kept what portion was intact ani have them still, and you are quite welcome to look through them for any information you may require., I am, Ac., B. A. Wakelin. Qreytown North.