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Contributions to the Early History of New Zealand

Preface

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Preface.

The early history of the Australian Colonies is deeply interesting, and that of New Zealand especially so. The circumstances of its descry by Tasman and of its discovery by Cook, the study of its aboriginal inhabitants—foremost among the savage races of mankind—the introduction of Christianity and missionary labour by the venerated Samuel Marsden, and the story of its colonization under the scheme of that gifted man, Edward Gibbon Wakefield, form a fascinating study for the too few students, of whom the author enrols himself as one.

To him it has long seemed that many old events, to which he can add fresh incidents, should be retold, and that others which have never been told, or that have long passed into the limbo of oblivion, should be recorded. To this congenial task he has set himself in this volume and in one or two to follow. In selecting the subject for this volume there is undoubtedly a want of order; history earlier still should rightly have had the precedence. But the approaching jubilee of the Otago Province, with the incident that therein the author has passed the best and happiest of his days, determined the selection and vindicates his choice.

It is true that, of the numberless fascinating details of early New Zealand history, many of those now to be recounted are not the most absorbing; in several respects the "annals of a quiet neighbourhood" might prove more interesting; but the struggle into life against expectations never realised, hope disappointed, and the "insolence of office," deserves all mention and respect. But whilst it suffered in some degree, the settlement of Otago had not to contend against the same amount of neglect and hostility displayed by the Colonial Office to its elder sisters. Those days have long since passed by, and now the warmest sentiments of pride and affection exist between the great mother and her children, never again, let us page Viiidevoutly hope, to be disturbed. Woe to those disturbers of peace who would seek to loosen such ties!

To the private journals and letters of Sir Richard Nicholson, Captain Symonds, the Rev. J. F. H. Wöhlers, Messrs. Tuckett, Barnicoat, and others, the author is much indebted, and he refers with gratitude to information given by many "old identities," some of whom have departed, and whose number is rapidly lessening. Amongst them he would especially refer to Mesdames Bannerman, Livingston, Janet McKay, Monson, and Miss Taylor; Messrs. Allom, James Brown, James Elder Brown, Archibald Barr, the Ven. Archdeacon Fenton, H. F. Hardy, W. Martin, of Fairfield, Monson, of Port Chalmers, W. H. Pearson, the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, and W. Somerville. The book has been written under the difficulties of other avocations, and the author has therefore to thank his brother-in-law, Mr. James Buckland, of London, for revising its last portions. Heoi ano.

T. M. Hocken.

Moray Place, Dunedin. January 14th, 1898.