[Harris, Edwin] ca 1810-1895 :[New Plymouth, 3 August 1860. Troops of the 40th Regiment being ferried ashore by lighters from H. M. S. Victoria, early evening, with H. M. S. Airedale, Paddle steamer Tasmanian Maid, brigantine George Henderson and a schooner]

Shows arrival of 40th Regiment (from Australia) on the Victoria with, from left the Airedale (steam sloop), Tasmanian Maid (Paddle steamer), George Henderson (Brigantine), a Schooner (Emily Allison, Tyne, or Travellers Bride), the Victoria (H. M. Colonial steam sloop) a schooner. (This information conflicts with that on the original backing board identifying left to right: HMS Cordelia, HMS Niger, Packet ship Tasmanian Maid). The buoy in the left foreground is the New Zealand Company buoy. New Plymouth is shown in the distance with Mt Taranaki. Troops are being ferried ashore in two small lighters in the immediate foreground with others visible in the distance. (See AT 3/1/1, 13 June 1986)

Taranaki Museum has a very similar signed watercolour. Attribution and title based on this work.

McArthur's catalogue for 10 May 1985 suggests scene as Feb 1861, but Taranaki' Museum suggest arrival of 40th Regiment on board 'Victoria', 3 August 1860. See TL 3/1/1, 13 June 1986.

Exhibited in 'Wide-Eyed: Early Images of New Zealand' exhibition of works by settler artists, held at the National Library of New Zealand Gallery, 18 July - 9 November 1997.

Inscriptions: Backing board recto - Identification of ships & N.Z. Company buoy

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour on card image 305 x 495 mm on card 400 x 590 mm

Provenance: Purchased by Lawford at McArthur's auction, Auckland, May 1985, lot 100.

Processing information: Record updated on 17 October 2023 to remove incorrect reference to Victoria HMS (Ship : 1859-1893).