Plan of proposed town, Waitara, Taranaki

An engraved topographic base map of the area from the River Mongaraka, off the Waiongona River, to the Waitara River, originally drawn by the cartographer, has been used to show the proposed town plan of Waitara, which he added at a later date. Cartographer was probably Frederic Carrington. Streets with sections are drawn in a grid-like pattern on both banks of the Waitara River. A pa site is prominently marked within the grid and four other pa sites are drawn. A proposed dock, railway terminus, racecourse, park, government reserve, a prison and cemeteries are marked. The road from New Plymouth, named as the Devon Line, links with other roads running into the town. The site of a bridge is shown linking the settlements on both riverbanks. High and low water marks are drawn and the highest points on the river to which the Neap and Spring tides reach.

In October 2020 this map was identified as being likely drawn by Frederic Carrington and the description was updated. The cartographer was previously unidentified.

Title transcribed from item.

Handwritten, unsigned note written along the top of the map: 'When I surveyed the Waitara River in 1842 I found that in no place was there less than 10 feet water, springtides, between the bar and the point where the Devon line intersects the river - at the bar there was 14 feet water. The dark spot on the west bank of the river is suggested as a good position for Post Office and Custom House. The large square in the middle of the Town, colored green, is reserved as a convenient, commanding & good position for Public buildings'.

Handwritten, unsigned note on bottom left of map: 'This document shows the position of the Waitara district which I surveyed and delineated in 1842. I had it engraved on my return to England. I have projected the proposed town upon it because the hills are accurately determined and I have thereby been enabled to lay out the streets and public reserves in a way which I consider advisable without making a fresh delincation of the ground. The town which I have projected is about the size of New Plymouth as originally laid out (2200 qr. acres). The majority of the blocks, i.e. all the regular parallelograms are made to contain 12 quarter acres each. The area of any portion of the Park or reserve ground may be readily and nearly estimated by comparing it with the sections shown in blck lines as originally laid out, each of which contain 50 acres.The place written Govt. Reserve, near the mouth of the river, was the plans made in 1842'.

Carrington wrote a statement on this map, at Library reference qMS-0399.

Quantity: 1 map(s) with manuscript annotations..

Physical Description: Ink and watercolour on paper, linen backed, coloured, 32.2 x 49.3 cm.

Edges of the map are bound with ribbon, hand sewn.

Alternative form available: Aperture card and colour transparency available