Places

Date: 2011

From: Temby, Dorothy, 1913-2009 : Reminiscence of childhood life in Millerton

Reference: MSDL-1354

Description: Collection comprises a childhood memoir complied by Temby at a later point in her life in England. The reminiscence recalls her family home in the West Coast mining town Millerton circa 1918; attending the Scottish Methodist Church on Sundays; childhood adventures in the sea and bush; Christmas at Mokanui; and a recollection of the day the Temby family left Millerton to return to England. Quantity: 1 Electronic document(s). 4 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s).

Date: 1890-1893

By: Ledger, James John, 1847-1907

Reference: MSX-9415

Description: Memoir written by James Ledger in Abbotsford, Australia between 1890 and 1893. The narrative primarily concerns Ledger's immigration to New Zealand in 1878, his four years in New Zealand and subsequent relocation to Melbourne, Australia in 1882. Some of the latter parts of the volume relate to events in Ledger's life up to 1893. In the first section of the memoir Ledger recalls his voyage of 119 days aboard the barque `Cape Finisterre' from London to Port Lyttelton, New Zealand. He provides a very detailed account of shipboard life, his fellow passengers, the weather patterns and activities of the crew, the islands and land masses the vessel passes by. At one point on the voyage an iceberg is sighted and a pen and gouache drawing by Ledger captures the likeness. With his travelling companion `Fred' they publish a weekly newspaper called "The Cape Finisterre Weekly News". Upon arriving in New Zealand Ledger gains employment with the gas works for seven months in Christchurch. Throughout the journal Ledger provides detailed accounts of the characters he observes and meets. There are many sketches in this work and his drawings often match the textual descriptions he provides. Ledger continues to record his work experiences over the next four years as he lives the life of an itinerant worker moving from place to place chasing work. He spent time as an engineer, worked as a lithographer and a labourer. Later Ledger spent time in the Waimakariri Gorge employed with a survey party laying out railway lines, and then as a farm hand in South Canterbury on the annual summer harvest. After working as a clerk in Timaru Ledger joined the South Canterbury Contingent of the Volunteer Corps that were recruited to march on Parihaka in western Taranaki in 1881. Ledger has a fascination with local Maori and he recounts his meetings with Maori throughout the occupation of Parihaka and Pungarehu. Ledger continues sketching during his involvement with the military campaign and depicts both Maori and Armed Constabulary subjects. Returning to Timaru via Opunake he recounts the fate of Mary Dobie who was killed by Tuhi while sketching at Te Namu and is buried at Opunake. After returning to the South Island Ledger visits Dunedin and sells his sketches of Parihaka and neighbour surrounds with depictions of Maori life to a publisher for fifty pounds. These sketches are reproduced by Fergusson and Mitchell as a set of 12 sketches in 1882. Ledger became disillusioned with New Zealand and left for Hobart in November 1882 aboard the `Ringarooma'. Passing through Bluff he narrates a chance encounter he had with the Maori King, Tukaroto Tawhiao. The last section of the memoir deals with Ledger's reminiscences of his life in Melbourne, and includes drawings and photographs. One image is of the Federal Coffee House building in Melbourne. Ledger finishes his narrative with his marriage to Mary Florence Lawerence, finding work as an architect and the purchase of two properties `Hinemoa Cottage' and `Bella Vista'. Included as an appendix to the volume is a section entitled "Colonial jottings" where Ledger refers to particular incidents throughout his travels. There is an inscription at the front of the volume to his godson John Bonsor Ledger, and the first stanza is quoted from the poem "To my sister" by the poet Adam Lindsay Gordon who emigrated to Australia from England in 1852 [poem written 4 August 1853]. Publication - Some of the sketches in this manuscript are based on earlier sketches in Ledger's published work `Pen and ink sketches of Parihaka and neighbourhood with scenes of Maori life, Dunedin, Fergusson & Mitchell, [1882?], 12 leaves of plates ; 24 x 31 cm. Source of title - Transcribed from item James (Jas) Ledger spent nearly four years in New Zealand from 1878 to 1882. He worked in many capacities including surveyor's hand, engineer, farm labourer and volunteer soldier with the South Canterbury Contingent at Parihaka in 1881. In 1882 he travelled to Melbourne, Australia and settled down to colonial life. He married Mary Florence Lawerence and worked as an architect living in Abbotsford. Quantity: 1 volume(s) (102 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (25.5 cm; half binding with green leather and marbled endpages) Memoir includes six black and white photographs; 35 sepia ink sketches.

Date: 24 Aug 1902

By: Hale, David Buckley, 1838?-1923

Reference: MS-Papers-11953

Description: Letter to his old sweetheart, Mrs Thomas B Bradley, of Fairfield, Connecticut, from Sydney, New South Wales, describing his life since leaving Connecticut. Describes his journey from England, working for the East India Company in Ceylon [Sri Lanka], trading in the South Seas and seeking refuge in Poverty Bay, New Zealand, from a possible attack by "Confederate cruisers" during the ongoing American Civil War. Describes his capture by "Hau Hau" Maori, cannibalism, his rescue by a British naval vessel and subsequent service with the colonial authorities in the militia, in return for the promise of a land grant. That promise not being fulfilled, he left for New South Wales in 1866. Gives an account of his life there and his eventual settlement in Sydney as a carpenter. As well as a brief account of his imprisonment and rescue, and of his service with the colonial authorities against the Hau Hau. Much of the letter is concerned with his life in, and impressions of, New South Wales. There is some discussion of the fortunes of mutual friends. Includes original envelope and anonymous typed transcription of letter [n.d.] Source of title - Supplied by Library Other - The vendor's title, "First-hand account of "Te Kooti's war", is inaccurate as Hale had returned to New South Wales in 1866, before Te Kooti was imprisoned on the Chatham Islands and subsequently escaped. David Buckley Hale, an American sailor from Connecticut, was captured by Maori while on a trading vessel at Poverty Bay in about 1862 or 1863. After he was rescued by a British ship, he served with the colonial forces until 1866 when he returned to New South Wales. Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, Holograph and Typescript