Case 13
- Impressions of the Antipodes
Samuel Charles Brees. Pictorial Illustrations of New Zealand. London: John Williams and Co., 1848.
In 1842, Samuel Brees (c.1809–65) was employed as Principal Engineer and surveyor to the New Zealand Company on a three year contract. Brees and his family were sent to Wellington; whilst there he spent his spare time sketching and painting scenes of areas he visited. He was responsible for the first surveys of Wanganui, Manawatu, as well as Karori Road and the hills around Wellington Harbour. When the New Zealand Company struck financial difficulties his contract was terminated six months early, so Brees devoted the remainder of his time in New Zealand to painting. On his return to London in 1845, Brees proceeded to publish his sketches which provide a record of life in the colony, along with glimpses of Māori life.
Samuel Charles Brees. Pictorial Illustrations of New Zealand. London: John Williams and Co., 1848.
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Mary Ann Parker. A Voyage Round the World, in the Gorgon Man of War: Captain John Parker. London: John Nichols, 1795.
From 1791till June 1792, Mary Parker (1765/6–1848) accompanied her husband Captain John Parker (1749?–1794) around the world on board the Gorgon, when he was sent to relieve the starving convict colony at Port Jackson, New South Wales. Soon after her husband's death in 1794, Parker published her account of the voyage to raise money to support herself and her children; a list of subscribers appears at the beginning of her book. As well as sections of her husband's log of the journey, and his comments on the abysmal conditions on board the convict transports, Parker gives her own account of the social life at the Gorgon's various ports of call and observations of local customs.
Mary Ann Parker. A Voyage Round the World, in the Gorgon Man of War: Captain John Parker. London: John Nichols, 1795.
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Daniel Puseley. The Rise, Progress and Present Condition of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand; with the Necessary Information for all Classes of Emigrants, From Authentic Sources and Personal Observation. 5th edition. London: Effingham Wilson, 1858.
Covertitle: Puseley's Hand Book to Australia,Tasmania and New Zealand.
DanielPuseley (1814–82) began his working life as a silk merchant, but leftthis trade to become a writer. He derived a modest income from writing as anovelist, poet, pamphleteer and lecturer. This title was his most successfulbook and it quickly went through five editions. Puseley presented himself as a'some time resident in these colonies,' although he only visited the southernhemisphere in 1854 and 1857 for the sake of his health. He intended to providea reference book with practical advice about the colonies that includedinformation about the commercial, social and moral habits of the colonists.Puseley's comments were strongly opinionated; see here his scathing descriptionof the social conditions of Dunedin.
Daniel Puseley. The Rise, Progress and Present Condition of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand; with the Necessary Information for all Classes of Emigrants, From Authentic Sources and Personal Observation. 5th edition. London: Effingham Wilson, 1858.
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