[Bates, Henry Stratton], 1836-1918 :Port Napier, N. Zealand 1854 [ie 1858 or 1859]

Shows the port area, Cassidy Wharf, and shipping with several houses and a long shed or warehouse at the foot of Bluff Hill. There is a sailing ship flying the Red Ensign in the sea in the right foreground

Attribution: Known to have been drawn by a member of the 65th Regiment. Appears to be by the same hand as A-434-022 (purchased with this work), and signed HSB, likely to be Henry Stratton Bates).

Dating: other drawings by Bates of the Napier area are dated 1858 or 1859.

"A detachment of the 65th Regiment was sent from Auckland in response to settlers' concerns about trouble between two local Maori chiefs. Arriving in Napier in February 1858, the troops came ashore at Onepoto Gully. A special issue of the Hawkes Bay Herald, dated 9 February 1858, states: "We have much pleasure in recording the arrival of the first detachment of a force of 300 military, to be stationed in Napier. We regard it as a great step in advance at once ensuring the peace and advancing the prosperity of the District. While on the one hand turbulent natives will now see that the British law must be respected, we trust that, on the other, no turbulent European will, under the supposition that he can do so with impunity, take occasion to offer insult to any of the other race ; and thereby justify the fears that were entertained by some writers and speakers, when the necessity for military being stationed here was first mooted. We trust to hear, by return of the steamer that the Provincial Government have taken prompt measures to provide barracks in Napier for the accommodation of this detachment". (Text on verso of watercolour)

The Merchant Shipping Act of 1853 included a provision stating that the Red Ensign was the appropriate flag for British merchant ships

Other Titles - New Zealand

Inscriptions: Mat recto - beneath image - [Title and incorrect date, 1854] Appears to have been added by another later hand; Verso - centre - Major Wyath [Wyeth, Wyatt?], Lieut Herries Feby 1858 with 2 companies of the 65th were sent here to stop the disturbances.; Verso - bottom centre - Ahurere

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour on paper, 122 x 169 mm; attached to card.