New Zealand Banknotes

Lot 3206    SESSION 12 (11.30AM THURSDAY 30TH MARCH)    New Zealand Banknotes

Estimate $140
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $420

THE UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA, Nelson, cheque no.68 dated April 20, 1842 for seven pounds fourteen shillings payable to James Cross and signed by Arthur Wakefield, with bank stamp and with two X marks across signature. Paper loss at top right edge, otherwise fine.

James Cross, Warden Pilot, arrived at Nelson on the Whitby on 4 November 1841 as a member of the advance party of the New Zealand Company sent to promote the systematic colonisation of New Zealand. In charge was the NZ Company agent for Nelson, Captain Arthur Wakefield who arrived on the same ship. Captain Wakefield was killed in 1843 at the Wairau Massacre which occurred as the result of an ongoing dispute with the Maori chief, Te Rauparaha, over British activity and a land dispute in the Wairau Plains area. This was the first serious clash between the Maori and British settlers after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the only one to occur on the South Island.