Peter Wilson 'Diary of a journey from New Plymouth to Whanganui in 1853', 31 January -13 February 1853, with an annotation, 1855, and newscuttings, 1854 and no date

MLMSS 4409

fonds

1853-1855

931184

1 box of textual material - manuscript, newscuttings

Peter Wilson, physician, was born at Dunbar, Scotland in 1791. With his wife and son, he arrived at Wellington, New Zealand in January 1841 on the ship Slaines Castle. He proceeded to Wanganui and took up land in the district. The family moved to New Plymouth in December 1847 and in 1848 Wilson was appointed Colonial Surgeon to the Taranaki Settlement, which position he held till his death on 18 December 1863

Diary from 31 January to 6 February is in the form of newscuttings from the Taranaki Herald

Account of a 150 mile journey on horseback from New Plymouth to Wanganui. Wilson describes the maoris, the landscape, conditions of travel, and the economic viability of the district. He recommends the improvement and extension of roads and steps to meliorate the navigability of the Wanganui river and its bar. Pasted into the diary are newscuttings of his letters to the editor relating to the celebration of the anniversary of the Taranaki Settlement, 1854, and the need for a Mechanics' Institute at New Plymouth

Information transferred from Manuscripts Leaf Catalogue No. 1 (6-685 C) as part of the eRecords Project, 2010-2011

Keyword subject:
Mechanics' institutes