Lot 2729

Description

New Zealand, cheque No. 101, drawn on the Union Bank of Australia, Nelson, 18 December 1841 for fifty pounds, payer Arthur Wakefield, payee Mr. Charles Heaphy. Small hole in centre, very fine and a rare piece of New Zealand history.

Captain Arthur Wakefield was the second brother of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, founder of The New Zealand Company. He joined the New Zealand Company to lead the new settlement at Nelson. His task was to select a party of settlers, escort them to New Zealand and supervise the growth of the new town. They sailed on the "Whitby" and arrived in Nelson in November 1841. The settlement of Nelson got off to a good start with Capt. Wakefield doing everything he could to promote the orderly development of the colony. Although he seems to have been rather paternal in his attitude to the settlers, he seems also to have been respected and admired. Charles Heaphy was a New Zealand explorer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross. In 1841 he joined Arthur Wakefield on the expedition that lead to the founding of Nelson. From here he took part in several expeditions to explore the north west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Together with biographical notes on Capt. Arthur Wakefield and Major Charles Heaphy VC and a photograph of the latter.