Early New Zealand books, 1840-1843

More writing on early New Zealand Books has been posted (read more). This time the period covered is 1840 to 1843. It is only a couple of years but it was at this time that there was a minor burst in publications, with some 15 or more books or pamphlets put out by London publishers, and one in Hobart (by a disaffected missionary, Wade).  This increase is largely due to the activities of the New Zealand Company, both in publishing pamphlets on emigration and the Company’s colonisation policy, and accounts of visits and colonisation by both Company men such as Heaphy and Dieffenbach (the latter a bit unwillingly so), and those closely associated with the Company such as Henry Petre, R G Jameson, Francis Dillon bell and William Fox.

It is at this time as well that the focus of the writing shifts from the Bay of Islands south to Port Nicholson and New Plymouth, where the Company was establishing it first settlements, and Auckland, with the move by Governor Hobson to set up his Government there, witnessed by writers such as Charles Terry (along with some great engravings of early Auckland scenes).

There is additional interest in the art in these books, not only by established artists such as Charles Heaphy, but most visitors and writers seemed to have a pencil and watercolours at hand, and just about all the books have plates of particularly interest, both artistic and historical. Its notable that many of the scenes have an English pastoral air, reflecting the nature of the artists, but also the desire of the New Zealand Company to be presenting a non-threatening image for prospective emigrants.

Māori personalities are also depicted, most being friends or admired chiefs, and the accompanying image here is that of Te Kauwau, Chief of the Nga Te Whatua in Tamaki Makaurau, a friend of Charles Terry in Auckland, and portrayed in his very fine, though rather neglected, book.