New Zealand journals / Dudley Alexander

A journal kept by Ranfurly's chief aide-de-camp, Dudley Alexander. Most of the journal comprises his illustrated letters to his sister Alice. This give detailed descriptions of places, various events and travels, people met and observed, historical anecdotes and more as Alexander accompanies the Governor, the Governor's family, politicians and others around New Zealand. The accounts are profusely illustrated with artworks, photographs, newspaper clippings and other mementoes of Alexander's travels.

The events and adventures described are:

A cruise on the Government steamer `Hinemoa' to New Zealand's sub-antarctic islands, 27 December 1900 to 21 January 1900. Included are sketches by Alexander, plant specimens, newspaper clippings and a photograph of the `Hinemoa'.

A March 1901 tour on the Governor's train through the central North Island to Lake Taupo.

A April 1901 tour by horse and train from Auckland to Wellington via Tauranga, Kati Kati, Paeroa, Te Kuiti, Mokau, New Plymouth, Opunake and Hawera, with accompanying map and photographs.

A December 1901-January 1902 second visit to the sub-antarctic islands on the "SS Tutanekai". On this visit Ranfurly was accompanied by his wife and by the artist C N Worsley. Accompanying the account are sketch maps by Alexander, watercolours by Lady Ranfurly and Worsley, a sketch of an seabird by Dr Wilson of the Antarctic `Discovery' expedition, and a photograph of Alexander and Lady Ranfurly shooting seabirds.

An account of a excursion on the Tasman Glacier, 12-16 February with Lady Ranfurly, with a watercolour sketch of Alexander by Lady Ranfurly, sketch maps and photographs.

A March 1902 excursion to Mount Cook through central Otago, where Alexander describes the gold fields at length, Alexandra and Dunedin, illustrated with sketches, photographs, a map, and a small gold nugget.

A railway journey on the lines south of Auckland, through Waingaro and Cambridge and on to Rotorua and surrounding districts, through the King Country and back to Auckland, accompanied by photographs and newspaper clippings.

A drive through inland Victoria, Australia, in November 1902.

A fishing expedition to the Opihi River near Timaru.

A April-March 1903 expedition on the Tasman Glacier with photographs.

Clippings relating to the Antarctic `Discovery' expedition of 1901-1903, with a sketch map by Alexander and a 23 March letter from Edward Evans of the expedition.

A May 1903 railway journey to Rotorua from Auckland, with sketches and photographs of Tarawera and thermal areas, and on to Te Aroha and then to Te Kuiti, Waimarino and surrounding areas. Their are extensive photographs of and sketches of the party, the thermal areas and of a Maori whare inspected at Te Kuiti.

A February excursion on the `Hinemoa' to Collingwood, Karamea, Westport, Greymouth, and back to Nelson.

A journey through the Urewera ranges to Ruatoki to talk with Tuhoe leaders, with extensive photographs of the expedition. This expedition is also covered in a photograph album.

Quantity: 1 volume(s).

Physical Description: Mss, typescripts, printed matter