Pioneer Surveyors.

Captain Chaffers, of the “Tory,” surveyed the Port Nicholson Harbour in September, 1839, the following account of which is extracted from Wakefield's “Adventure in N.Z.,” p.p. 73-76:—

“Te Puni's eldest son. Te Whare, accompanied Captain Chaffers in a surveying expedition in one of the boats during the last week, of which an excellent chart of the harbour was the result. As soon as this was drawn, Colonel Wakefield proceeded to name the various points and bays. The south-western bay, where the most secure anchorage exists, and where the town was to be built, was named Lambton Harbour, in honour of the Earl of Durham, Governor of the Company. A piece of level ground, over which the town was to extend, was named Thorndon Flat, from Thorndon Hall in page 475 Essex, the residence of Lord Petre. The river Heretaunga received the name of Mr. William Hutt. The large island Matiu was christened Somes' Island, after Mr. Joseph Somes, the Deputy-Governor of the Company. The most remarkable headlands at the entrance were named after Mr. Francis Baring, Sir George Sinclair, and Pencarrow, the residence of Sir William Molesworth; and the names of other places were selected from among those likely to be respected and honoured by future inhabitants as memorials of the disinterested founders of the colony. Barrett's Reef must not be omitted in this list, as commemorating our worthy and honest co-operator.

Colonel Wakefield left with Wharepouri, Mr. Smith, with a stock of garden seeds and carpenter's tools, and a few goods with which to encourage the natives in the work of preparation for the arrival of the settlers. Wharepouri promised to put him in a new house at Ngauranga, and to take care of him till our return. We landed some pigs, and some boards, bearing the words: ‘New Zealand Land Company’ were put up in conspicuous places on the shores of the harbour.”

An extract is given in the Wellington Harbour Year Book, 1919, page 60, of Captain Chaffer's report, dated 8th Oct., 1839, as follows:—

“This port, which has been little known, ranks among one of the finest in the world. Its entrance is easy, the dangers all showing; and plenty of room to work in, with eleven fathoms in the narrowest part.”

In a brief covering note to his journal, dated October 10th, 1839, Colonel Wakefield remarks:—“My intention is to plant the first settlement at Port Nicholson, where I have ordered several houses to be built.”

The “N.Z. Journal.” London, Oct. 30, 1841, contains a list of the names of surveyors despatched by the “Brougham,” 2nd October, 1841, viz.:—Samuel Charles Brees, principal surveyor; Robert Sheppard, Frederick Sheppard, Arthur Wylie, A. Allom, Horace Charlton, George Hunt, Frederick Jollie, Edward Nicholson, Ed. Norman, Thos. H. Smith, W. N. Serianike, Henry Stokes, H. S. Tiffen, A. Whitehead, Sidney Scroggs, J. Tully and Arthur Wills, assistant surveyors and cadets.

The survey of the Hutt river now extended in a straight line from the beach, nearly 8 miles, and following the windings of the river 10 miles and a quarter. Persons could walk from this place to page 476 Porirua by road. (Letter from R. Stokes, Wellington. 13th April, 1841; “N.Z. Journal,” 4/9/41.)

Mr. Samuel Brees wrote the following instructions to Mr. Nankeville, Assistant Surveyor to the N.Z. Company, with reference to the attitude of some natives who were obstructing the surveys in the country district.

The letter was written from the Surveyor-General's office and dated 21st March, 1842:—

“I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your stoppage by the Maoris, which I forwarded to Captain Smith, who at present has charge of the district you are engaged in.

“Captain Smith having left Wellington this morning on the Company's service, I undertake to inform you of his instructions, which are ‘that you complete as many sections as possible, and then assist Messrs. Harrison and Kettle in cutting the beach line until further orders.’

Sgn. Samuel Charles Brees, Surveyor-General, N.Z. Company.”

Mr. Charles Henry Kettle, who assisted in the survey of Port Nicholson, Porirua and Upper Hutt, was born at Sandwich, Kent, in 1820. He was for a time a mathematical master at Mr. John Dean's school at Faversham. Induced to emigrate, he came to New Zealand by the “Oriental” and procured employment as clerk to the firm of Betts-Hopper, Moles-worth and Petre, until the firm dissolved partnership. He then joined the New Zealand Company's survey staff under Captain Mein-Smith.

Accompanied by Mr. Alfred Wills, he explored a considerable portion of the Rimutaka, Ruamanga, Wairarapa, and Manawatu districts, thus for the first time trodden by a European foot.

The party returned, after a month's absence, half starved, and having suffered great privations, but bringing back a glowing description of the magnificent, well-watered plains so suitable for further settlement. The earliest New Zealand “Gazettes” and the “Early Settlers' Journal,” Vol. I., Numbers 1, 2 and 3 give an interesting account of the expendition.

Mr. Kettle returned to England in the “Brougham” in 1843 and received an appointment with the N.Z. Company as assistant surveyor and engineer, returning to Wellington in 1846. During a fortnight's stay in Wellington, he made his plans for the survey of “New Edinburgh” (Otago or Otakou). He became Government Surveyor and Registrar of Deeds in 1851, and Member of the House of Representatives in 1860. He died at Littlebourne, 1862. (Extracts from Hocken's N.Z., p. 74.)

page 477

Surveyors-General of New Zealand. By courtesy Lands and Survey Dept.]