Entire letter

Shared by Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

This item comes from a collection of letters, covers and other historical material which Te Papa has acquired from Gerald Ellott at various times since 2001. The collection includes items from as early as 1818, but most relate to the New Zealand Wars period (1845-1872) and particularly the 1860s.  Gerald is one of New Zealand’s foremost postal historians, and for nearly sixty years has been collecting, researching and exhibiting the early postal history of New Zealand. He was invited to sign the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1988, is a recipient of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie Research Medal, and was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to philately in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours. The New Zealand Wars collection includes letters written by soldiers serving in British regiments in New Zealand, as well as letters from members of colonial militia and volunteer units. The content and context of the letters provide a wealth of historical, social and military information about this period. The postal markings on the letters and envelopes are also informative, allowing us to track the movement of British troops and the opening up of post offices in their wake. Many items in the collection are mounted and annotated on archival pages. Gerald wrote the annotations for the purposes of display and storytelling. They reflect his views and the language of the time, and Te Papa has not reviewed them for accuracy. Transcript: [Cover] William Law Esqre Treasury Whitehall London England "Received 7th March 1846 / answered ditto", "3", "8" [datestamps] "KJ / 7 MR 7 / 1846", "PAID SHIP LETTER / OC 20 / 1845 / SYDNEY", and one illegible. [Letter] British [?] Bay of Islands Oct. 5th 1845. My dear Law I dear say this is the first letter you have received from this infernal place; we got here all safe yesterday after a trip of 14 days from Sydney. It is undecided yet whether we are to join our fellows at Waimate[?] or form a camp here, but [?] has not sent any orders yet, there are several ships here + I should think we should have some good boating if we [Page 2] Remain here. I am going this evening to march up to Waimate[?] with our Col + Page we shall have a pleasant tramp of 16 miles along a splendid New Zealand road up to our knees in mud We return on Tuesday. We expect to have another brush at these savages shortly a treaty is being made but it is most likely they will not accent[?] to any thing of the sort. The Country about the Bay of Islands is certainly pretty it resembles some parts of Scotland. All our fellows are hose heartly[?] sick of it + I am already, I wish I could have a quick drink[?] at the [Page 3] Rag + [?] with you. We get nothing but d-m hard biscuits + some starved chicken. Remember me to Rushworth + Parratt, the former said he had some friends out here in one of H.M. Ships, I have not met with any person yet, that has asked after him except the [?] in Sydney. You must excuse this my short epistle which was only written to let you know that I have not as yet been roasted + eaten by the Savages Ever believe me your affect. friend John Charles Petley. Auck to Sydney. And write please often.