Acheron Out letterbook, 19 September 1849-02 December 1851

Component identifier:

File 13

Content Summary:

Copies of Stokes' letters (Acheron, Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, Bay of Plenty, Otago, Havannah, Portsmouth) reporting proceedings of the ship.

Addressees include: Hydrographer; Captain Erskine; Admiralty; Colonial Secretary, Auckland; Sir George Grey; John Lee; William Fox; Maori Chiefs.

Subjects include: coaling; survey of Taranakia; Queen Charlotte Sound; Cape Farewell; deserters; wreck of Albert; Maori attitude to survey ship; dispute between John Lee and William Thomas; Otago Block; erection of Beacons at Nelson; death of Mr Burnett; survey of Cook's Strait; 'no interruption has been experienced from the Aboriginal inhabitants - It is most gratifying to observe their increasing fondness for agricultural industry - and their eagerness to possess farming stock - a taste which must speedily eradicate their warlike propensities and promote their adoption of the peaceful arts.'; sale of Maori lands south of Molyneaux River; coal and wood reserves; suitability of Stewart's Island for a penal settlement; dispute between Robert Lowry and Maori Ederatu; discovery of gold at Bathurst 'all men flocking thither'; survey of Newcastle and Hunter River; survey of Chatham Islands on Havannah's voyage to England.

(170p.)

Processing information:

M3052

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