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Historical Records of New Zealand South

The Pork Trade

page 84

The Pork Trade

is made early mention of in New Zealand records. In a leter written by the celebrated Dr Bass, dated Sydney Cove, February 2, 1803, he says:—In a few hours I shall proceed again on another pork voyage, but it combines circumstances of another nature also.

November 7, 1824: The ship St. Michael (Beverage, master) enters in at Sydney from New Zealand with a cargo of pork. This seems to have been the second cargo from New Zealand during the year. A schooner named the Endeavour, in charge of one Dibbs, afterwards in charge of Dacre, makes sundry voyages this year in the New Zealand pork trade. Dibbs again makes his appearance as skipper of a colonial brig named Haweis, and, as late as January, 1826, we have him prosecuting a seal trade on the New Zealand coast.

June 10, 1826: Captain Lovett, of the schooner Sally, reports, as per Hobart Town Gazette of that date, that hogs were plentiful amongst the New Zealand natives, and could be bought cheap.

February 9, 1827: The Elizabeth (Kent, master) entered in at Sydney with 38 tons pork, besides a timber cargo.

Gregson's Trade List (Hobart Town publication), dated December 22, 1828, reports: 44,800lb of salt pork, valued at £588, had been exported during the year from New Zealand.

Sydney Gazette reports that, for the year ending July, 1831, 8000lb, valued at £200, were imported into Sydney from New Zealand. The entire quantity, as shown by the Customs records, was re-exported from Sydney to England. The brig Argo (Billing, master) entered in at Sydney, March 29, 1831, bringing 30 pigs and other cargo.

Writing in 1841, Governor Hobson reports, for the information of the Secretary of State:—The natives raise a considerable quantity of pork, potatoes, and maize, which, although it does not contribute much as a return for imports received from New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, provides the colonists with an ample supply of food, and, in fact, relieves them from the necessity of applying to their neighbours for articles of primary necessity.

In Committee of the House of Lords it was stated, incidentally, that in the year 1838 a large trade was carried on in pigs and potatoes, which the smaller crafts and trading vessels purchased in barter from the natives residing along the coast of the southern islands, and subsequently disposed of to the whalers and other large vessels visiting the bays and ports in quest of refreshments.