Letter, to W.N. Searancke, Resident Magistrate

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]

[Headers stamped on cover in red ink:
“ON PUBLIC SERVICE ONLY.”;
Lower Waikato Resident Magistra[cy] / Port Waikato;”]

28.10.65 R.O. Stewart R.M.

W.N. Searancke Esqre
Resident Magistrate
Rangiriri.

[Letter]

Port Waikato
2. Novr. 1865

Dear Searancke;

I received your letter of the 20^th Octr. And sent an official (via Auckland) to you about the bank book of [W? ?] Makomako.
Another lot of potatoes 17 tons (in 270 bags) are here now in a barge for you. They came in the

[page 2]

cutter “Favorite” and are in even worse condition than the last – in fact that is not to be wondered at, at this season of the year.
They will probably go up this evening, towed by the Koheroa.
I am very well contented here and have no desire to change. Any time you have a fair wind and inclination I shall be happy if you will

[page 3]

pay us a visit down here.
I hope this weather will continue – it looks quite like summer, though rather late if coming.

 Remain dear Searancke
Yours sincerely
R.O. Stewart

W.N. Searancke Esqre.
Rangiriri.