Panama, New Zealand and Australian Royal Mail Company

Date: 1866

By: Hall, John Vine, 1813-1892

Reference: B-041-015

Description: A headland dividing a bay from a harbour Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Tinted lithograph, image 254 x 457 mm on sheet 390 x 540 mm

Date: [Circa 1864 to 1869]

By: Wheeler, William Fox, 1845?-1896; Beere, Daniel Manders, 1833-1909; Morris, John Richard, 1831-1909; Tempsky, Gustavus Ferdinand von, 1828-1868

Reference: PA1-q-266

Description: Albumen prints of Fijian people, a photograph of Dunedin taken by J R Morris, and newspaper cuttings about the SS Mataura were inserted in the front pocket of the album. (The albumen prints have now been placed in protective sleeves and are housed in an envelope outside the album) Album of photographs, albumen prints of popular art works, maps, hand-written and illuminated programmes, and one hand-written poem, created by William Fox Wheeler between 1864 and 1869, during which he was purser on board the SS Mataura. Most of the art-works and hand-written and illustrated items were done by William Fox Wheeler himself. Items of unusual interest are listed below. A map "shewing mail services performed by the Panama, New Zealand & Australian Royal Mail Company, and lines connecting with the company's vessels at Panama" (between p. 46-47). Interspersed with albumen prints of popular art works such as "The Angel Gabriel", "Mother & child", "The Last farewell of Marie Antoinette", and "Fascination" are scenes of places visited by the SS Mataura in the 1860s. Numbers of images show scenes in New Zealand, many of which are unidentified. Several are small portraits of Maori men and women. The album contains a page with early New Zealand, German, Australian and United States postage stamps. A photograph of a painting by Gustavus Von Tempsky showing "`Waiari' scene of conflict with the rebel Maoris on the 11th February 1864" is on page 27. An ink and wash picture taken from Panama (p. 11) An albumen print of a painting of St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Sydney when on fire in 1866 (p. 38) Photograph of the Wellington Custom House with the time-ball on the roof was taken in 1866 (p. 40) Hand-written poem "Padre Bandelli proses to the Duke Ludovic Sforza about Leonardo da Vinci", with "Leonardo da Vinci poetises to the Duke in his own defence" (11 p. inserted between p. 47 & 48) Handwritten and illuminated "Programme of an evening's amusement on board the steamship "Mataura" given by her passengers while on their voyage between Panama and New Zealand in October 1867" with water-colour painting of the Mataura at head of item (p. 54-55) Another programme dated September 1868 (p. 56) Another programme entitled "Temperance Hall. Under the patronage of Capt. G.E. Bird, RMR, Sir George Grey, Bart. KCB" (beteen p. 58 & 59) Map of South America (between p. 60-61) Handwritten humourous item "Supreme Court, SS Mataura, in criminal jurisdiction" signed H W Humphries, initialled W.F.W. (p. 62) One photograph taken by Daniel Manders Beere shows King Matutaera's "Palace" (p. 30) Inscriptions: Album page - "W.F. Wheeler, P.N.Z. & A.R.M. Cos. SS "Mataura". R.H.N. 1869" (Hand-coloured in oval frame, with water-colour painting of the Mataura, 2 x 4 cm.) Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Album with patterned cover (in burgundy and black design), brown leather corners and spine, with torn outer cover of waxed cloth, sewn inside front cover creating a pocket; 29 x 24 cm Transfers: To Drawings & Prints Collection - Pencilled cartoon originally inserted in pocket inside front cover..

Date: 1854-[ca 1870]

By: Kennedy, Dugald Archibald, 1830-1908

Reference: MS-Papers-2786

Description: Incomplete reminiscences of a ship master, who arrived in Nelson in 1854, and who sailed on a number of ships between Australia, New Zealand and the Chatham Islands; was involved with the transport of Maori prisoners (including Te Kooti) to the Chatham Islands. Written sometime after 1893 Source of title - Supplied Accompanying material - Photocopy of letters outlining full career of Captain Kennedy from S M Christina Kennedy, 1981 & Lesta Kennedy, 1992. Typed transcript by Marsha Donaldson, June 2007 Quantity: 1 folder(s) (12 pages). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph