Lot
158 
New Zealand, 1843 Wellington, New Zealand to Edgebaston, England, pre-paid folded letter with manuscript "6" and "8" rates totalling "1/2", reverse with light "Wellington, Se 4, 1843" oval origin date stamp, red London and Birmingham cds's and straight line "Ship Letter" handstamp, with lengthy letter datelined "Hawkeshead River, Hutt, N.Z., August 14, 1843" with content regarding the Wairau Affray (Massacre)…"Sometime ago a most dreadful massacre took place at Wairau a river some distance from Cloudy Bay. Captain Wakefield, the N.Z. agent at Nelson had tried to prevail of the chiefs Rangihaeata and Te Rauparatia to sell the land at Wairau, which they would not do, and some time after Mr. Patchat and Mr. Tuckett, surveyors and a party of men were sent to survey the land. These two chiefs burned down the huts and pulled up the staffs…a warrant was issued against the chiefs. Mr. Thompson, the Police Magistrate Captain Wakefield, Captain England and several other gentlemen accompanied them with a small party men. A musket went off by accident. nineteen in all were killed and three missing.", F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
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Realized: $1,000