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]

William Law Esqre

Treasury

Whitehall

London

No 4.

Answered 30 Nov. 1846

[Postmarks: "CI / 23 SP 23 / 1846", "NEW ZEALAND / AP 13 / 1846"]

[Handstamp: "PAID AT / AUCKLAND"]

[Letter]

Auckland

New Zealand

April 7^th 1846

My dear Law

Several months have passed I fear without my sending you a letter, so this mail shall not leave without a line. Every thing is very quiet about this place no rows of any kind to keep us alive. The Govt. is down at Wellington with a large force, and 3 ships of War. I expect things will be settled in that part without any fighting, I am sure I do not wish our fellows to be shot at any more by the d--d Mowries, our Regiment

[Page 2]

has suffered severely. We are to go back to New South Wales as soon as they come up from the South, the 65^th are daily expected here. H.M. Brig "Osprey" was wrecked the other day somewhat at the Southward at a place called Hookianga, the Capt. + Mate mistook the Bay + went into False Hookianga + ran on a reef of rocks, they sent her [?] over cut away her Masts but it was no go. She was the most perfect Craft of her sort I ever saw, in splendid order + a very nice set of men on board, the fellows we hear are all living under Canvass, near the wreck.

We gave a hop[?] here last week to all the

[Page 3]

rank + fashion (I fancy I see so laugh) of Auckland we muster about 25 young Ducks + I assure you some were pretty ones. The Capt. of the Engineers ^ Capt. Marlow has 3 nice ducks they came, it was I [?] their first, we did not break up until 6 o’clock next morning, we had all the rooms decorated with flags which we got from H.M.S. Racehorse + what with all our own colours + wreaths of roses it looked uncommonly pretty it was rather rich to see our Colours returning next morning to the Colonels house they were carried by 2 mess waiters who made sundry lurches across the road, which by the by was up their knees in mud. How is Parratt

[Page 4]

how very fortunate his brother has been to get his company so young. I am sorry I am not able to send you any sketches of the Country about here, but the fact is I have not had much time to myself since I have been in Auckland, as I am acting adjutant Mr L[?] is now Brigade Major down at Wellington.

We have 3 Companies here [?] two Flank companies + one other. We have a Major at Wellington + another at the Bay of islands, at the latter place old Kawitta the late rebel Chief has been paying a friendly visit Heki has also been there + is still [?] but does not seem inclined to Commence any more fighting.

[Page 5]

old Kawitta says he had a belly full of iron at Ruapekapua [Ruapekapeka?] (his last Pah) + does not want any more of it. I receive the Britania more regularly now + am sorry I requested you to stop them, will you be so Kind as to order the Man in Parliament St. to send them again to me. I hope my dear old friend this will find you in good health + spirits + with best wishes I remain as ever your attached friend.

John Charles Petley.

P.S. Remember me kindly to Parratt.

direct to Sydney please.