Letter

This item comes from a collection of letters, covers and other historical material which Te Papa has acquired from Gerald Ellott at various times since 2001. The collection includes items from as early as 1818, but most relate to the New Zealand Wars period (1845-1872) and particularly the 1860s. 

Gerald is one of New Zealand’s foremost postal historians, and for nearly sixty years has been collecting, researching and exhibiting the early postal history of New Zealand. He was invited to sign the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1988, is a recipient of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie Research Medal, and was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to philately in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The New Zealand Wars collection includes letters written by soldiers serving in British regiments in New Zealand, as well as letters from members of colonial militia and volunteer units. The content and context of the letters provide a wealth of historical, social and military information about this period. The postal markings on the letters and envelopes are also informative, allowing us to track the movement of British troops and the opening up of post offices in their wake.

Many items in the collection are mounted and annotated on archival pages. Gerald wrote the annotations for the purposes of display and storytelling. They reflect his views and the language of the time, and Te Papa has not reviewed them for accuracy.

Transcript:

[Cover]

[Manuscript 2 in red ink indicating prepaid twopence inland postage]

[Red stamp with crown at top: PAID AT RUSSELL NEW ZEALAND]

[Postmark: AUCKLAND / 1 APL / 1861 / C / NEW ZEALAND]

O.H.M.SH.C. Balneavis
Deputy Adjt. General
Auckland

[Reverse of cover]

[Postmark: RUSSELL / MR 30 / 1861 / A / NEW ZEALAND]

735

[Letter]

[In red ink: H/735 D.A.G.]

Russell Bay of Islands
30^th March 1861

Sir
I should be exceedinly thankfull if you would give me a little Information how I should proceed to Tarnaka as a volunteer, as I am very anxious to go. I should like to be under the Command of one of the old 58^th or I shall go as mounted volunteer I have been 9 years in the 5^th Ln. Guards Therefore I can do my duty as a Cavalry Man

Yours very respectfully
James Parker
Late Serjeant 58^th Regiment

To. H.C. Balneavis
Deputy Adjt. General

[In red ink: Written [illegible] 744
H.C. Balneavis
D.A.G.]