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AN ACCOUNT OF
THE SETTLEMENTS
OF THE
NEW ZEALAND COMPANY,
FROM PERSONAL OBSERVATION DURING
A RESIDENCE THERE.
BY
THE HONBLE. HENRY WILLIAM PETRE.
FIFTH EDITION.
LONDON:
SMITH, ELDER AND CO. 65, CORNHILL.
1842.
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REPRINT PUBLISHED BY
CAPPER PRESS
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND 1971
Printed offset by The Caxton Press, Christchurch
London: Printed by Stewart and MurraY, Old Bailey.
[CONTENTS]
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CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION ....... 7
CHAPTER I.
EXPEDITION AND SETTLEMENT OF THE FIRST COLONY ....... 9
CHAPTER II.
RECENT PROGRESS OF THE COMPANY'S SETTLEMENTS ....... 19
CHAPTER III.
DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME BY THE COLONISTS ....... 33
CHAPTER IV.
SOIL, CLIMATE, AND PRODUCTIONS ....... 48
CHAPTER V.
PROSPECTS OF THE COLONY ....... 85
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[INTRODUCTION]
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SETTLEMENTS
OF THE
NEW ZEALAND COMPANY.
INTRODUCTION.
Having formed one of the party called the "First Colony of New Zealand," consisting of about 1200 persons, who emigrated from England in the Autumn of 1839, under the direction of the New Zealand Company, and having recently returned to this country, I receive so many applications for information respecting New Zealand and the Company's Settlements, that it is quite impossible for me to comply with them separately; and I have therefore determined to publish the following brief sketch of what came under my own observation, and what I could gather from authentic sources, during my residence there. I do not undertake even this humble task without diffidence and embarrassment. The only readers, however, of the following pages will probably be persons having a deep interest in learning the
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truth respecting the new Colony. These, I may trust, will make indulgent allowance for my deficiencies as an author, in consideration of the accuracy of my statements. Upon the latter point I venture to speak with confidence. With respect to my very favourable opinion of New Zealand as a field of emigration, I have to offer as a proof of at least my own sincerity, the statement, that I have revisited this country merely for the purpose of making arrangements required for carrying out my plans of settlement in New Zealand, whither I am about to return as a colonist.
