PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND NUMBERED CIRCULAR DATESTAMPS 1 to

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1 PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND NUMBERED CIRCULAR DATESTAMPS 1 to Introduction T he Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand, in their publication Postage Stamps of New Zealand, Volume III, published in 1955, included a reference to these datestamps, Postal Datestamps, Part 3 Relief types Also included was a Facsimile of the Province of Auckland datestamp number 5. Volume VII, of the Postage Stamps of New Zealand 1, edited by Dr. K. J. McNaught, contained a comprehensive update in Chapter Eight, pages , relative to their use during their use during the Maori Wars Waikato campaigns, , which is now being updated in this publication. As far as I am aware, as at 1955, little was known about the use and distribution of these datestamps. The first real attempt to record details and to list these datestamps was in September 1959, when pioneer New Zealand Postal Historian, Robin M. Startup published privately his monograph entitled Province of Auckland Cancellations, consisting of 10 pages, with 50 copies issued gratis. Following this work, during 1959 to 2001, The Kiwi The Journal of The New Zealand Society of Great Britain, published updates and new information, many prominent collectors which included John D. Evans, Robin Startup, Douglas Edsall, Joe Stonehouse, etc., tried to solve the many unanswered questions. During the period of 1982 and 1986, short articles were published in The C.P. Newsletter the House Journal of Campbell Paterson Ltd., Stamp Dealers of Auckland NZ and Woking UK. New discoveries were recorded, together with an acetate sheet showing the different details of layout for six of the datestamps, making it possible for the first time, to identify with some certainty any datestamp, irrespective of whether or not the number was present. Due acknowledgement must be recorded for the great help and assistance so freely given by so many collectors, including Ken McNaught, Robin Startup, John White, George Branam, Jim Holdsworth, Major Dumas, Ross Marshall, Eric Gibbs, Harold Waite, Warwick Paterson, Joe and Brian Stonehouse, and many others, including dealers, David Holmes and Brian Rumsey etc. 1 RPSNZ Handbook published

2 Sanction for their use The Report by the Postmaster-General on the Postal Service of New Zealand 2, dated 4 June 1860, included the following information, under the heading; LOCAL POSTS. The Local Offices have as yet been unprovided with date-stamps. The consequence of which is that it is impossible in cases where delay had occurred in forwarding any letter, to trace the fault to the right source. As the number of Offices unprovided with date-stamps is now considerable, and as the expense of obtaining the required quantity would be therefore large, it is a matter of some importance to consider how this could be done most economically, and particularly how unnecessary expense can best be prevented. The removal of a Country Post Office, a matter of infrequent occurrence, would, for instance, if the date-stamps for these Offices were prepared on the ordinary model, be a source of much useless expense. The date-stamps, as is known, at present in use are distinguished by bearing the name of the particular locality cut upon them at which the Post Office is situated. It is evident, however, that in cases of removal the date-stamp of the original Office, specially adapted as it would be to one particular locality only, would become useless directly the Post Office was removed to a locality of another name, and therefore the expense incurred in providing it would be entirely thrown away, unless indeed the new Office were to retain the datestamp of the original one, a plan which would lead to great confusion. In order to avoid these inconveniences, it is proposed to provide a sufficient number of date-stamps and to designate the respective Post Offices not by the names of the places at which they are situated but by consecutive numbers. By this plan the removal of an Office would not involve the necessity of a new date-stamp, as the old one would be quite sufficient to identify the Office at which any letter may have been posted, or through which it may have passed. Whereas in the Provinces of Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Southland, issued Alpha-Numeral datestamps, the Auckland Province, issued purely numbered datestamps, together with the name of the Province. 2 Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives of New Zealand- Section D-No

3 Distribution and location of use Amazingly after 130 years since they were last used, and after over 50 years of intensive study and research, little is really known where these datestamps were actually used. Apart from over 50 surviving covers all numbered P of A 1 and used at Newcastle (Ngaruawahia) and all written by Quartermaster Robert Laver, 12th. Regiments of Foot, there are relatively very few other surviving covers. Only three of the original locations of use are so far known, being No. 1 at Newcastle, No. 2 at Te Awamutu, and No.4 at Hamilton. The datestamps, when reissued were used at the Thames Goldfields, Newton, Eden Terrace, and Wangarei Heads, and some unknown locations. Earliest recorded cover 30 December 1864 Latest recorded cover 16 December 1876 Post Office Circular 26/1877 dated at Wellington 15 May 1877, addressed to the Chief and Head Postmasters, requested that the use of dated stamps or Mail Seals with the word PROVINCE be discontinued. Identifying the Datestamps Seven different Auckland numbered datestamps have been positively identified, not eight as originally thought, and in the case of four of them, they also exist with changed numbers or letters. As the spacing of the letters PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND N.Z. varies, it is now possible to positively identify 3 both the datestamp as originally supplied, and also when they were reissued with original numbers changed, irrespective of whether the complete details of the datestamp are present. Typical datestamp supplied in Acetate sheet produced by Gerald J. Ellott and issued by Campbell Paterson Ltd

4 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 Used at Newcastle (Ngaruawahia) Province of Auckland cds No. 1 Description The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. During the period of its first use at Newcastle (Ngaruawahia), the earliest recorded use on cover, is 30 December 1864 and the latest is 20 February However an earlier date in November 1864 has been recorded on an adhesive, as well as a later date of 25 July May 1865 Newcastle (P of A cds No. 1 ) 18 May 1865 Auckland Letter from Quartermaster Robert Laver, 12 th Regiment. 4

5 Province of Auckland cds No June 1865 Newcastle (P of A No. 1 cds) 20 June 1865 Auckland Letter from Quartermaster Robert Laver, 12 th Regiment. 15 October 1865 Newcastle (P of A cds No. 1) 17 October 1865 Queen s Redoubt (NZ cds Type 1) Transit marking 17 October 1865 Auckland receiving unframed cds. Letter from Quartermaster Robert Laver, 12 th Regiment, stationed at Newcastle 5

6 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 There are four recorded Robert Laver covers, cancelled at Newcastle, and additionally cancelled in transit at the Queen s Redoubt Post Office, 17 March 1865, 21 September 1865, 15 October 1865, the above cover and 23 October October 1865 Newcastle (P of A cds No. 1). 24 October 1865 Queen s Redoubt (NEW ZEALAND cds Type 1). 24 October 1865 Auckland receiving unframed cds. This is the latest known Robert Laver cover from Newcastle. The Queen s Redoubt obliterator, together with the NEW ZEALAND Type I circular datestamp, is the latest recorded date of use as the Queen s Redoubt Post Office closed seven days later on the 31 October The Headquarters of the 12 th Regiment left Newcastle for Napier on 4 December 1865, leaving Auckland aboard HMS Esk on 9 December 1865, finally arriving on 11 December; the remainder of the battalion embarked at Auckland on the 15 December on board HMS Eclipse, and joined Headquarters two days later at Napier. On 31 January and 17 February 1866, detachments were sent to Wairoa and Tauranga. Quartermaster Robert Laver, 12 th Regiment of Foot. Robert Laver was commissioned Quartermaster of the 12 th Regiment on 21 April 1854, and embarked for Australia with the Headquarters of the Regiment on 1 July Robert Laver with the Headquarters left Sydney on 23 September 1863 aboard HMS Curacao, arriving at Auckland, New Zealand, on 2 October There are now over 50 covers 4 recorded, written by Quarter-Master Robert Laver, which have been cancelled with the Province of Auckland datestamp number 1, applied either on the adhesive or struck on the reverse. Robert Laver and the 12 th Regiment Headquarters was stationed at Newcastle (Ngaruawahia) from 31 October 1864, moving from Te Rore, until 4 December 1865, when the Regiment was transferred to Napier and later Tauranga. The dates of the recorded covers date from 14 February 1865 to 23 October A cover dated 12 December 1865 written at Sydney, addressed to Robert Laver at Ngaruawahia, which was after the Regiment had left, and it was redirected to Auckland 21 December and Napier 26 December See Appendix A for the complete list of recorded Robert Laver Covers, cancelled with the P of A cds No. 1 Datestamp 6

7 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 Details of other recorded covers era Apart from the Robert Laver covers, which date between 14 February 1865 and 23 October 1865, there are only three non-laver covers recorded, all as displayed below. Details are as follows: - 30 December November February December 1864 Province of Auckland cds No. 1, applied on reverse (Earliest recorded cover) Full rate letter from Private James Jarvie, 3 rd Waikato Private James Jarvie, No. 285, 3rd Waikato Militia Regiment. Private James Jarvie, born at Glasgow, joined up at Otahuhu, on 23 September 1863, and at the completion of his service was given a Cambridge Land Grant. Two other covers are recorded from Jarvie the first from Tauranga dated 15 July 1864, and the last one from Cambridge dated 29 June The Tauranga cover is cancelled with the Headquarters obliterator and the Cambridge cover with the Cambridge small coin circular datestamp, which was used after the Province of Auckland Datestamp, had been withdrawn. 7

8 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 1 November 1865 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 Letter from the wife of Captain Stack 1 st Waikato 1.5 Captain William Griffin Stack, 1 st Regiment Waikato Militia William Stack was commissioned Captain on 22 June 1863, promoted to Major 1 January Received The New Zealand medal; gazette 1871; 2088; AD 32/4189. Letter written by Anne Stack to Mrs. Brown, wife of Archdeacon Brown at Tauranga Contemporary Photograph of Ngaruawahia in

9 Province of Auckland cds No February 1866 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 Letter from the Lieutenant W. A. Smith, 1 st Waikato Lieutenant William Alfred Smith 1st. Waikato Militia Regiment William Smith, was recruited at Melbourne, commissioned a Lieutenant on 1 September 1863 and promoted to Captain on 2 February Received the NZ Medal, Te Ranga 21 June 1864, Gazette 1873; 2168; AD32/4167. Kihikihi situated three miles south-eastwards from Te Awamutu, was in the 1860s the headquarters of the Ngati-Maniapoto Tribe, after the fall of Rangiaowhia, February 1864, Kihikihi was sacked and garrisoned first by Imperial troops and later by members of the 1 st. Waikato Militia Regiment, Te Awamutu Post Office opened in March The 1 st Waikato Militia Regiment, provided 11 Officers and 311 Non-commissioned Officers and men to the Imperial Commissariat Transport Corps, and nearly all received The NZ Medal 5. The William Smith correspondence. The cover illustrated above is the only recorded cover cancelled at Newcastle, the four other covers were from Te Awamutu or Kihikihi, and cancelled with the Province of Auckland cds No. 2. There are four other recorded covers from William Smith, all addressed to Robert Kaye at Otago, cancelled with the Province of Auckland datestamp No. 2, dated 16 June 1865 endorsed in shorthand At Kihikihi, 15 March 1866, 15 July 1866 and also endorsed At Te Awamutu, and 23 July Richard Stowers The New Zealand Medal to Colonials, published By Richard Stowers, Hamilton NZ

10 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 List of recorded dates on adhesives era Details of adhesives with readable dates are as follows: - - November February July April July July November December 1865 In the original List prepared by Robin Startup 6 the earliest date of use was given as 25 March 1864, this was considered to be an error, and corrected to 3 February The above details have been extracted from various sources, needless to say there are a lot more unidentified and incomplete dated copies. Newcastle (Ngaruawahia) 26 November 1865 Situated 74 miles south of Auckland, on the junction of the Waipa and Waikato Rivers. The first King, Potatau, was formally invested here in 1858, and Ngaruawahia became the Maori capital. General Cameron occupied the abandoned Capital on 8 December Over 3000 British and Colonial Troops assembled, in readiness for the advance southwards further into the Waikato. The name of Ngaruawahia was changed in January 1864 to Newcastle. At sometime in the 1860s it was also known as Queenstown. The Post Office opened in January Lieutenant George Raynor, 2 nd Waikato Militia Regiment was appointed Postmaster, in March RM Startup Province of Auckland Cancellations Published by RM Startup 21 September 1859 at Masterton New Zealand, 50 copies printed and distributed gratis. 7 The NZ Society of GB, THE KIWI Volume 16.2 March 1967 page 23 10

11 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 Replacement of the Province of Auckland cds No. 1 The Post Office became a Money Order Office on 1 December 1865, at which time a named datestamp would have been required, although the earliest date recorded for the replacement small coin circular datestamp is 25 August examples of the NEWCASTLE Coin circular datestamp 11

12 Province of Auckland cds No. 1, reallocated and used at the Thames Goldfields Shortland The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. Introduction The latest recorded use of the datestamp at Newcastle was on 22 February 1866, however the earliest cover recorded at Shortland is 9 November Basically at this stage of use, whilst there was no change in the number, all the examples on cover are over inked Shortland Post Office The Post Office opened on 1 September 1867, and was made a Money Order Office on 1 May 1868, at which time a named datestamp would have been required. The earliest recorded named datestamp is 22 May The Post Office was moved and renamed Thames on 24 March Period of known use 9 November 1867 to 7 May 1868 List of recorded covers era 9 November November February 1868? 1 April May RPSNZ Handbook Volume VII 12

13 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 9 November 1867 Shortland (P of A cds No. 1), 11 November 1867 Auckland cds, 27 January 1868 London Paid cds, 27 January 1868 Chelmsford cds. Via Panama Per Rakaia out of Wellington 8 December 1867, Tyne and Douro. 1 April 1868 Shortland (P of A cds No. 1), - April 1868 Auckland cds, 28 May 1868 London Paid cds (red) via Panama per Rakaia 8 April 13

14 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 7 May 1868 Shortland (P of A cds No. 1), - 8 May 1868 Auckland cds, 29 July 1868 Barnsley, Sheffield, & Penistone cds, via Panama per Kaikoura 8 June The mails left Panama on 6 July 1868, the day after the Revolution which took place at Panama on the 5 July 1868? Tasmanian to Plymouth 9 Details of recorded covers era 26 November Addressed to Miss Agnes Mathews, Gourdie Hill, Errol, Scotland, and 6d Perforated 12.5 Chalon, adhesive cancelled with the P of A cds No.1, 27 January London Paid. Circular C.R.P.O. (red) Caledonian Railway Post Office mark on obverse, Backstamped 27 November 1868 Auckland cds, 28 January 1868 Errol cds. Via Panama 10 February 1868 Details unknown 9 Colin Tabeart Australia New Zealand UK Mails to page 280 published 2004 ISBN Details received from J.G. Stonehouse

15 Province of Auckland cds No. 1, reallocated and used at the Thames Goldfields Graham s Town The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. Introduction The latest recorded use of the datestamp at Shortland was on 7 May 1868, however the earliest cover recorded at Graham s Town is 4 January Basically at this stage of use, whilst there was no change in the number, all the examples on cover are poorly inked. Graham s Town Post Office The Post Office opened on 1 July 1868, and closed on 24 July 1869 when the Shortland Post Office moved. Period of use 4 January 1869 to 2 February 1869 List of recorded covers January February January 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1), - 5 January 1869 Auckland cds, 23 January 1869 Melbourne. 15

16 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 2 February 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1), 2 February 1869 Auckland cds, 3 February 1869 Otahuhu. A cover dated 3 March 1869, addressed to Mr. Baines at York, has been reported, but this has not been seen and no details have been provided, so it must remain meanwhile as a query. There is a marked difference in the inking and impression of the datestamp used at this Post Office. 16

17 Province of Auckland cds No.1, reallocated and used Without the Number (Blank) at the Thames Goldfields Graham s Town The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. Introduction The latest recorded use of the datestamp with the No. 1 used at Graham s Town was on 3 March 1869 (unproved), the earliest cover recorded without the number is dated 31 March 1869 (Proving cover). And the latest use is 21 June 1869 List of recorded covers March April 1869 (Two covers)* 28 April June 1869 * Both covers addressed to Alex Orr, ex Bett collection, currently in the National Library, Wellington. 17

18 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 (number removed) 31 March 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1 Blank), 1 April 1869 Auckland cds, Proving cover, endorsed on the reverse Graham s Town March 30 th 28 April 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1 Blank), 29 April 1869 Auckland cds, 29 April 1869 Onehunga cds. Address panel excised and reconstructed to recreate the original. 18

19 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 (number removed) 21 June 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1 Blank), 23 June 1869 Auckland cds, 13 September 1869 Birmingham cds 19

20 Province of Auckland cds No.1, reallocated and used With the Number changed to 3 Used at Graham s Town The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. Introduction It should be noted that this is NOT the original number 3 datestamp, which has an entirely different lettering layout, and whereas this is in a circle 23.5mm diameter, the original is 23mm. Details of recorded covers There is only one recorded cover with the Number 1 datestamp, converted to a No. 3, dated 24 March March 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1 changed to No. 3), 25 March 1869 Auckland cds, 25 March 1869 Onehunga cds Address panel excised and reconstructed to recreate the original THE ONLY RECORDED COVER 20

21 Province of Auckland cds No.1, reallocated and used With the Number changed to 4 Used at Graham s Town The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. Introduction It should be noted that this is NOT the original number 4 datestamp, which has an entirely different lettering layout, and whereas this is in a circle 23.5mm diameter, the original is 23mm. To date there have been no recorded covers with the No. 4 upright, although it is recorded on adhesives. All recorded covers have the number 4 placed sideways. Details of recorded covers There are only three recorded cover with the Number 1 Datestamp, converted to a No. 4, and they all have the number placed on its side. 12 April April 1869* 10 May 1869 * Date to be confirmed, Bett Collection National Library, Wellington. 12 April 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1 changed to No. 4 sideways), 13 April 1869 Auckland cds, 13 April 1869 Onehunga cds. 21

22 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 changed to number 4 placed sideways 27? April 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1 changed to No. 4 sideways)? April 1869 Auckland cds. Other details unknown. Bett collection National Library Wellington. 10 May 1869 Graham s Town (P of A cds No. 1 changed to No. 4 sideways) 12 May 1869 Auckland cds, 13 August 1869 York cds 22

23 Province of Auckland cds No. 1 Number changed to 4 sideways Details of the No. 1 cds, changed to No. 4 used on Adhesives 30 June August August 1869 upright 4 upright 4 upright 4 18 April 1872 Sideways 4 23

24 Province of Auckland cds No.1, reallocated and used with the number changed to A, Location unknown Introduction The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. This Datestamp original No. 1, with the letter A has only been recorded used on adhesives, and there are no known covers, and consequently its location of use is unknown. In view of the dates 10 March 1874 and 1 May 1877, they were definitely not used at Graham s Town, as the Post Office closed on 24 July Comment It is has been confirmed by the known surviving covers, that the original datestamp number 5 was relocated and later changed to the letter A. Dates of the three recorded covers are as follows: - 27 December January December 1875 All used at the NEWTON Post Office at Auckland. As there is some doubt in my mind that the two reported A examples are in fact the No.1 datestamp, personal identification is required before it can be definitely established that the original number 1 datestamp was converted to the letter A. 24

25 Province of Auckland cds No.1, reallocated and used with the Number changed to 5 - Unknown Location The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. Comment It has been recorded that the Number 1 datestamp was also converted to the number 5, dated 4 June 1869 on a pair of One Penny Chalon adhesives. In my opinion, personal identification is required before it can be definitely established that the original Number 1 datestamp was converted to the number 5, especially as the No.5 atestamp, in its original state when it was reallocated, and when it was converted to the letter A, both were used at the NEWTON Post Office. (see the number 5 datestamp details, page xxx) 25

26 Province of Auckland cds No.1, reallocated and used With the Number changed to a blank, nos. 3 and 4 upright and sideways Dates of all known covers used at Graham s Town As it appears most likely that the change of the number from 1 to various other numbers, does not indicate a change of location, but an all probability an indication of a change of Time the following details may provide the answer to the question, or may give an indication of why the change was made. Graham s Town Post Office opened 1 July 1868 closed 24 July 1869* Number Date 1869 Details 1 4 January Cover illustrated 1 2 February Cover illustrated 1 3 March reported cover? 3 24 March Cover illustrated Blank 31 March (Proving) Cover illustrated Blank 1 April Cover Bett collection Blank 1 April Cover ex Stanley Sideways 4 12 April Cover illustrated Sideways 4 18 April Adhesive illustrated Blank 23 April Cover illustrated Sideways 4 27? April Cover Bett, illustrated Sideways 4 10 May Cover illustrated Blank 21 June Cover illustrated Upright 4 30 June? Adhesive illustrated 1 5 July Adhesive (GJE) Upright 4 30 July * Adhesive reported Upright 4 2 August* Adhesive illustrated Upright 4 9 August* Adhesive illustrated Upright 4 29 August* Adhesive reported *The date given for the Post Office closure is subject to confirmation as records are virtually non-existent. As the above dates indicate there are four later dates, it is more than likely that the Post Office was still using the datestamp. There now appears that there has to be some conjecture where the upright 4 was used, compounded by the fact that four of the dates fall outside the closing date given for the Graham s Town Post Office, and the fact that there are no covers. The latest recorded cover known used at Shortland is 7 May There appears to have been no recorded covers since that date and the earliest recorded cover used at Graham s Town is dated 4 January

27 Province of Auckland cds No. 2, used at Te Awamutu Description The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. During the period of its first use at Te Awamutu, the earliest recorded use on cover is 14 September 1864 and the latest is 5 December 1867 However an earlier date 30 June 1864 has been recorded on an adhesive. Details of recorded covers era Nine covers have been recorded used at Te Awamutu, from the period 1864 to 1867, which has been extended a year longer than the era, used for the other originally issued Province of Auckland Numbered datestamps. The only known reallocation of this datestamp was when the number was changed from the number 2 to the number 3, recorded used in Whilst there would have been very little use made of the original datestamp after the departure of the military from Te Awamutu, there was not the need for a named datestamp until after 1 May 1874, when the Post Office was made a Money Order Office. Details are as follows: - 14 September 1864*, 26 September 1864, 12 April 1865, 16 June 1865, 15 March 1866, 15 July 1866, 23 July 1866, 8 May 1867, 5 Dec * The 14 September 1864 cover is addressed to Master John Marshall, son of Major Marshall, Paymaster of the 65 th Regiment, at Wellington, from Private Samuel Jenkinson, No. 230, 65 th Regiment at Camp Te Awamutu, adhesive removed. Private Samuel Jenkinson - Proving cover Samuel Jenkinson joined the 65 th Regiment at Kingston, at the age of 19 years and 3 months, he was born at Bramley Yorkshire, and his occupation was shown as sailor. Embarked aboard the Nugget out of Woolwich 2 March 1860, arriving at Auckland on 20 June 1860 he was discharged on payment at Otahuhu on 14 September He is recorded as joining the Wairoa Rifle Volunteers (Waverley) as a Corporal and took part in the fighting at Moturoa 7 November 1868, awarded The New Zealand Medal NZ Gazette 1872; 1216; AD32/3207. It had been reported that Charles Jewell, writing in The Philatelist 1948, page 16, recorded a Laver cover with both the Province of Auckland No.1 cds dated 14 April 1865 together with a No. 2 cds, dated 12 April I have personally not seen this cover, and question the probability of this, especially as there are Laver covers, postmarked at Newcastle, dated 12 and 13 April

28 Province of Auckland cds No September 1864 Te Awamutu (P of A cds No. 2), 1 October 1864 Auckland cds, 22 December 1864 cds Edinburgh. Mourning cover 15 July 1866 Te Awamutu (P of A cds No. 2), 24 July 1866 Auckland cds. 4 August 1866 Dunedin cds. Lieutenant William Smith Correspondence 28

29 Province of Auckland cds No July 1866 Te Awamutu (P of A cds No. 2), 31 July 1866 Auckland cds. 5 August 1866 Nelson cds. Lieutenant William Smith Correspondence. 8 May 1867 Te Awamutu (P of A cds No. 2), 11 May 1867 Auckland cds. 14 July 1867 St. Thomas cds. 14 August 1867 Quebec C. East cds 15 August 1867 Berlin C. West. Via Panama Trip No. 12. As will be seen one adhesive has been unfortunately removed! 29

30 Province of Auckland cds No December 1867 Te Awamutu (P of A cds No. 2), 7 December 1867 Auckland cds. 2 March 1868 Edinburgh TPO No. 4 List of recorded dates on adhesives era Details of adhesives with identifiable dates are as follows: June, 3 & 26 September, 20 & 31 October, 3, 12 & 27 November, 2, 3, 12 December January, 4 & 24 February, 24 & 31 March, 29 May, 6 June, 24 July, 4, 6 &25 October, 4 November September November. 40 th Regiment of Foot (2 nd Somersetshire) The Headquarters of the regiment was moved to Te Awamutu on 22 February 1864, on the 27 February 1864 the 40 th were sent to Kihikihi where they built a redoubt, returning to Te Awamutu on 22 March A camp Post Office was built at Te Awamutu during March Mansell Roe was appointed Postmaster from 24 March The 40 th regiment remained at Te Awamutu, until they were relieved in April 1866, and moved to Otahuhu preparatory to embarking for England in May and June Nearly 250 men were discharged in New Zealand 11 NZ Gazette 20 July

31 Province of Auckland cds No. 2. Soldiers One Penny Concession Rate Letters To date there have been no recorded existing concession rate covers posted from Te Awamutu, in spite of the fact that the Headquarters of the 40 th, 57 th, and 65 th Regiments were stationed there together with at one stage over 5000 men from the 40 th,57 th and 65 th as well as from the 18 th, 50 th and 70 th. The Colonial Defence Cavalry also had their Headquarters there plus the Naval Brigade, Commissariat, Mounted Royal Artillery, Forest Rangers and Transport Corps. Private George Tatler, 65 th Regiment was stationed at Te Awamutu, and seven of his letters survive, but no covers. These letters all written in 1864 were dated, 23 March, 20 April, 21 May, 26 August, 26 October, and finally Christmas Day 25 December. George mentions the incoming mail from home, arriving on the 22 nd of the month so that it cannot be answered until the month following. It would appear that all covers bearing adhesive stamps have had the stamps removed and the covers destroyed. Space for Tatler Letter 31

32 Te Awamutu Province of Auckland cds No. 2. Situated 18 miles southward by road from Hamilton and three and a half miles from Kihikihi and 9 miles to Pirongia (Alexandra). The name was originally Otawhao, and a Mission Station was built here in 1839 by Rev. B.Y. Ashwell, in 1841 he was succeeded by Rev. John Morgan. Morgan was appointed Postmaster on 23 September 1857, but left in 1863 when the Government Commissioner Sir John Eldon Gorst, replaced him. Gorst published a newspaper Te Pihoihoi Mokemoke to counteract the Kingite newspaper called Te Hokioi or The War Bird. Relations between the Maoris and the Government deteriorated and on 24 March 1863, the press, type and paper were seized, and Gorst was evicted from the district. 19 March 1863 OTAWHAO cds Struck on a pair of 6d value Pelure paper. (The Post Office was forcibly closed on 25 March 1863) 29 January 1863 OTAWHAO cds, 31 January 1863 AUCKLAND cds. (Comparatively rare as there are only two other recorded covers) 32

33 Enquiry Card addressed to the Maori King Newspaper Te Hokioi (O Nui Tireni) Waikato 7 November 1894 Panama cds, 1 December 1894 San Francisco cds, 3 January 1895 Mercer NZ cds,13 May 1895 Auckland cds struck in Mauve, UNCLAIMED Handstamp in purple, Endorsed in red Paper defunct since 1863 Rear side of the above card 16 May 1895 NZ DLO (Dead Letter Office), Unrecorded. June 1895 Boxed PO DEPARTMENT Dead Letter Office Foreign Division. National Postal Agency, Bureau, Panama, enquiry Post Card, signed by Agent, General George Eugene Bryson, on behalf of Colombia. 33

34 Te Pihoihoi Mokemoke Pro-Government Newspaper 2 February 1863 The first number of the pro-government paper. There were only four issues. 34

35 Province of Auckland cds No. 2, reallocated and changed to Number 3, used at Eden Terrace, Auckland The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23.5 mm diameter. Introduction The original allocation to Te Awamutu, of the number 2 Datestamp, has been positively confirmed and is known used there from 14 September 1864 to 5 December It does not appear to have been used elsewhere until it was converted to a number 3, and used at Eden Terrace. Two covers recorded; 20 December 1875 and 16 December Eden Terrace Post Office Situated 3 km South West Auckland Chief Post Office, (later Symonds Street.8km East). Opened 1 January 1867, closed 30 June The Sub-Postmaster in 1875 suggested that if the Post office was to be renamed it should be called simply Mount Eden Post Office. Post Office Enquiry Form sent to Eden Terrace (part) 35

36 Province of Auckland cds No. 2 changed to No. 3. reduced Official Reply Printed Form from the Auckland Chief Post Office Postmaster, Sent out to various Sub Postmasters, regarding a possible change of name. 36

37 Province of Auckland cds No. 2 changed to No December 1875 Auckland cds, 20 December 1875 Auckland cds and Eden Terrace (Province of Auckland No 2 converted to 3) cds 16 December 1876 Eden Terrace (Province of Auckland cds No. 2) converted to cds No December 1876 Auckland cds. 37

38 Province of Auckland cds No. 2 changed to No January 1877 San Francisco Paid All cds, and Straight Line PAID ALL As required by the 1870 USA NZ Postal Convention. Space for reverse side There are only two covers recorded with the Province of Auckland Number 2 Datestamp, converted to number 3 both used at Eden Terrace 20 December December

39 Number 3 cds, Probable Location Alexandria Description Province of Auckland cds No. 3 20mm diameter. The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23 mm diameter. Details of recorded covers era Only one cover has been recorded, cancelled with the Province of Auckland cds No. 3, and to date all efforts to ascertain the location of where it was used has been a failure. There has been conjecture that it was most likely used at either Alexandria (Pirongia) or Cambridge. There has been a strong case made for both locations; and although a positive identification has not so far been possible, in my opinion it is most likely to have been used at Alexandria. 3 February February 1865 P of A cds No. 3, 6 February 1865 Auckland cds, 12 April 1865 London. Province of Auckland cds on reverse as well as cancelling the adhesives. 39

40 Province of Auckland cds No. 3. The above cover is the only recorded cover, with no indication where it was posted, however it took four days to reach Auckland, the 3 February was a Thursday and the 6 February a Monday. Mail posted at the known locations of use in to reach Auckland was as follows: - Queen s Redoubt - same day, Newcastle - 2 days, Te Awamutu - 5 days, Hamilton - 6 days. List of recorded dates on adhesives era According to the latest list recorded in the Kiwi 12 there were six dates recorded in the era, the earliest 27 September 1864 and the latest 28 October 1865, however a later date was noted by A.B. Johnstone dated 2 July 1866, in the May 1979 Kiwi volume 28.3 page 55. Details of adhesives with readable dates are as follows: September, 30 October (Illustrated), 19 November (Illustrated), January (Illustrated), 28 October, January 1866, 2 July October November January 1865, Ex Royce Bowen collection. Provenance Corinphila Auction 1-6 April 1963, RL Auction 22 February 1989 ex Chalon collection 12 The Kiwi, Volume 31.2 January

41 Province of Auckland cds No. 2 changed to No. 3. I had hoped the actual day on which the adhesives previously illustrated were cancelled might give a clue as to where they were posted, but there appears to be no definite pattern, as they range almost from Monday to Sunday, only Wednesday and Friday missing. However based on the dates of the recorded No. 5 Datestamp, there is a strong possibility that the Number 3 Datestamp was used at Alexandra. The mails per the Waipa River only travelled on Tuesdays and Fridays 13. On the other days the mail for Alexandra, Te Rore and Kihikihi came on the Waikato River to Hamilton and Cambridge, and carried to the Waipa settlements (Whata Whata, and Alexandra) by Mounted Orderlies. To date there is no indication that the P of A number 3 Datestamp was reissued or the number converted. Space for a photo of Alexandria Redoubt 13 H.C.M. Norris Armed Settlers, Page 76, published by Paul s Book Arcade, Hamilton

42 Province of Auckland cds Number 4, used at Hamilton Description Province of Auckland cds No.4 The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23 mm diameter. Details of recorded covers era There is only one outer wrapper recorded, which fortunately contains the proof of location, from Thomas Lees, 4 Company, 4 th Waikato Militia, Hamilton. 16 December December 1866 Hamilton (P of A cds No. 4) 22 December 1866 Auckland cds. 42

43 Province of Auckland cds No. 4. Proof of location, written on the inner side of the wrapper List of recorded dates on adhesives era The list 14 published in The Kiwi for the era, shows the earliest and latest dates as? October 1865 and 16 December 1866, 4 examples, the latest date being the outer wrapper illustrated above. Details of adhesives with readable dates are as follows: -? October 1864, 7 October 1865, 16 December Hamilton The military settlement of Hamilton was founded in August 1864, by the 4 th Waikato Militia Regiment, as the Headquarters of the Waikato Militia. The Post Office was opened on 26 August 1864 with Sergeant Dominic Petty as Postmaster. Hamilton was named in honour of John C.F. Hamilton, Commander of HMS Esk, who was killed in action at the Battle of Gate Pa, and Tauranga on 29 April Whata Whata on the Waipa River and Hamilton on the Waikato River. 14 THE KIWI Volume 31.2 January 1982 page THE KIWI Volume 16.2 March 1867 page 23 43

44 Province of Auckland cds No. 4, converted to various new Numbers; 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 12 Locations unknown The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23 mm diameter. Province of Auckland cds No.4 converted to various numbers as above Details of recorded dates era As there are no known or recorded covers, it is impossible to ascertain where these converted Datestamps were used, they are currently only known used on adhesives. Another problem of identification is the fact that apart from the numbers 8 and 12, all the other converted numbers exist in the original allocation of Datestamps. Accurate identification is absolute and unless the item has been actually physically handled by me, it cannot be established with certainty that it is in fact what has been reported. 44

45 Province of Auckland cds No. 4. converted to various numbers Details of recorded dates era (continued) Converted Number date details 0 29 October 1872 not seen 0 1 October 1873 illustrated 1 3 December 1872 not seen 1 27 January 1873 illustrated 2* 8 February 1873 illustrated 3 1(4) March 1872/3? not seen, 4 is sideways 5 6/9? May 1873 not seen, 6 or 9 sideways 8 unknown no details 12* 10 September 1872 not seen 12* 24 December 1872 illustrated 12* 14 February 1873 not seen Note. The No. 12 is in fact the converted No. 2 Datestamp, with the figure 1 added in manuscript! Illustrations of the converted No 4 Datestamp. Number 0 Number 1 1 October January 1873 It is important to bear in mind that identification of these converted numbers and letters has to be carefully carried out, as similar numbers/letters occur on both the original issue and later conversions. In the case of the letter O, see also the converted number 7 cds, and the number 1 cds as originally issued and later relocated, as well as this conversion. 45

46 Province of Auckland cds No. 4 converted to various numbers Number 2 Number 12 8 February 1873 (enlarged) Possible Confusion 24 December 1872 Manuscript number 1 The original Number 2 cds was issued and is known used at Te Awamutu, up to December 1867, and in 1874 converted to No. 3, known used at Eden Terrace from In is original state it is not known used after The use of the manuscript number 1 is quite unique, and the example illustrated must have been the very last post of Christmas Eve! 46

47 Province of Auckland cds No. 5 Location probably Cambridge Description Province of Auckland cds No. 5. The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23 mm diameter. Details of recorded covers era There have been no recorded covers in this period. List of recorded dates on adhesives era The list 16 published in The Kiwi for the era, shows that there are 6 adhesives, with identified dates. Details of adhesives with readable dates are as follows: October, 30 November, 21 December (single also recorded - 2d Roulette ex CP Ltd.) June, 28 September December 1864 JMA Gregson Private Treaty sale 2000 (Yeroc Lot 465) 16 THE KIWI Volume 31.2 January 1982 page 35 47

48 Province of Auckland cds No. 5 Probable location of use era Cambridge The mails per the Waipa River only travelled on Tuesdays and Fridays 17. On the other days the mail for Alexandra, Te Rore and Kihikihi came on the Waikato River to Hamilton and Cambridge, and carried to the Waipa settlements (Whata Whata, and Alexandra) by Mounted Orderlies. Space for a picture of Cambridge 17 H.C.M. Norris Armed Settlers, Page 76, published by Paul s Book Arcade, Hamilton

49 Province of Auckland cds No. 5, Reallocated to Newton Post Office, Auckland No. 5 Datestamp Details of recorded covers era There are four covers recorded with the reallocated No. 5 Datestamp used at Newton, Auckland, and the earliest cover dated 23 Dec.1868 is addressed to Newton, 24 December (Proving cover) 24 December 1868 Illustrated 3 February 1869 Illustrated 2 September 1870 Illustrated 23 March 1872 Illustrated 23 December Onehunga cds and Auckland cds 24 December 1868 Newton (Province of Auckland No. 5 cds) on reverse Proving cover No. 5 cds applied as receiving mark 49

50 Province of Auckland cds No. 5, Reallocated to Newton Post Office, Auckland February 1869 Newton (Province of Auckland No. 5 cds) Adhesive cancelled at Auckland Chief Post Office With the barred oval obliterator number 1 3 February 1869 Newton (Province of Auckland cds No. 5) 3 February 1869 Auckland cds, Shortland (Thames Gold Fields) 4 February 1869 (Part of the reverse of cover illustrated above) The Post Office Regulations, required that the datestamp be applied to the cover and was not to be used to cancel the adhesives, which were to be cancelled with the obliterator only. 50

51 Province of Auckland cds No. 5, Reallocated to Newton Post Office, Auckland September 1870 Posted at Newton Post Office Postal markings on the reverse 2 September 1870 Newton (Province of Auckland cds No. 5) 2 September 1870 Auckland cds, 3 September 1870 Onehunga cds 51

52 Province of Auckland cds No. 5, Reallocated to Newton Post Office, Auckland March 1872, posted at Newton Post Office 23 March 1872 Newton (Province of Auckland cds No. 5) 23 March 1872 Auckland cds, 29 March 1872 Sydney Duplex ds. (reverse of cover illustrated above) Details of recorded dates era According to the list (The Kiwi January 1892) there were five dates known, the earliest being 23 December 1868, and the latest 2 September Details of the intervening dates not shown. Both the earliest and latest dates are those on cover illustrated above, if the 3 February 1869 is also included in the count, then there are two unknown dates, to be confirmed. There was a strike on an adhesive dated 1869, in the Robson Lowe Auction 8 November 1977, Lot 669, but I do not have any other details. 52

53 Province of Auckland cds No. 5, changed to a letter A Newton Post Office, Auckland Details of recorded covers era There are four known covers with the converted No. 5 Datestamp with the letter A December (Illustrated) January (Chalon SG 138 2d Vermilion, retouched Row 18 No. 3 Has been removed, ex Robin Startup, addressee as 27 December 10 January (Illustrated) December (Illustrated) 27 December 1873 Posted at Newton 27 December 1873 Newton )Province of Auckland cds No. 5, converted to Letter A, Auckland cds, 29 December 1873 Port Albert cds 53

54 Province of Auckland cds No. 5, changed to a letter A Newton Post Office, Auckland January 1874 Posted at Newton 1 January 1874 Newton (Province of Auckland No.5 Letter A ) 10 January 1874 Auckland cds. (reverse of the above cover) Whilst the Province of Auckland Datestamp used at Newton shows the date as 1 January 1874, the Auckland Datestamp shows the date as the 10 January One or the other is in all probability in error. Studying the envelope, it is quite conceivable that it contained a New Year message. (Note the fancy cut edges on the flap etc.) In which case, the card was in fact posted on 1 January

55 Province of Auckland cds No. 5, changed to a letter A Newton Post Office, Auckland 18 December 1875 Auckland cds Official reply Form, from the Chief Post Master Auckland Addressed to the Sub-Postmaster at Newton 31 December 1875 Newton (Province of Auckland cds A ) and Auckland cds 55

56 Province of Auckland cds No. 5, changed to a letter A Newton Post Office, Auckland Official reply Form, to the Chief Post Master Auckland Returned by the Sub-Postmaster at Newton Reply given by the Postmaster at Newton. Possible confusion between No. 1 cds and No. 5 cds conversions As there were two Datestamps converted to the letter O confusion of identification could have taken place when recording the dates. No. 1 to A No. 5 to A 10 March 1874, and 1 May 1877, (no covers known). 27 Dec. 1873, 3 Jan. 1874, 31 Dec. 1875, (known used at Newton) 56

57 Province of Auckland cds No. 6, probably Whatawhata Description Province of Auckland cds No. 6 The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23 mm diameter. Details of recorded covers era Only one cover has been recorded in this period, 27 February February 1867 Whatawhata (Province of Auckland No. 6 cds) 27 May 1867 London Paid cds. Via Panama Rakaia left Wellington 8 April February 1867 (Province of Auckland No. 6 cds) 6 March 1867 Auckland cds 27 May 1867 Stratford on Avon cds. 57

58 Province of Auckland cds No. 6, probably Whatawhata List of recorded dates on adhesives era The List 18 published in The Kiwi for the era, listed three adhesives, with identified dates. Details of adhesives with readable dates are as follows: March (Illustrated), 20 May, 3 July. 9 March 1865 EXTRA ITEM 4 April 1867 (previously unrecorded) 18 THE KIWI Volume 31.2 January 1982 page 35 58

59 Province of Auckland cds No. 6, reallocated to Wangarei Heads Details of recorded covers era Two covers have been recorded used at Wangarei Heads, including the Official Printed Form, sent by the Chief Postmaster at Auckland to the Sub-Postmaster at Wangarei Heads February (Part Newspaper Wrapper) December (Official Reply Form) February 1875 Wangarei Heads (Province of Auckland No. 6 cds) 59

60 Province of Auckland cds No. 6, reallocated to Wangarei Heads 16 December 1875 Auckland cds 21 December 1875 Wangarei Heads (Province of Auckland cds No. 6) 24 December 1875 Wangarei Heads (Province of Auckland cds No. 6) 60

61 Province of Auckland cds No. 6, reallocated to Wangarei Heads 23 December 1875 Reply from the Postmaster at Wangarei Heads, suggesting a name change to MANAIA Reduced 61

62 Province of Auckland cds No. 6, reallocated to Wangarei Heads List of recorded dates on adhesives era The List 19 published in The Kiwi for the era, listed three adhesives, with identified dates. Earliest Date 12 June 1868 (Illustrated), and the latest 24 December 1875 (see above Reply Form), also listed later in The Kiwi was a further dates; 20 October June 1868 (earliest date for this period) Details of adhesives with readable dates are as follows: - 12 June 1868 (Illustrated) 20 October December 1875 (Illustrated) additional item 24 December 1875 EXTRA ITEM 19 THE KIWI Volume 31.2 January 1982 page 35 62

63 Province of Auckland cds No. 7, probably Ngahinapouri Description Province of Auckland cds No. 7 The letters PROVINCE-OF-AUCKLAND N.Z. are 3mm high, within a circle 23 mm diameter. Details of recorded covers era There have been no recorded covers in this period. List of recorded dates on adhesives era The List 20 published in The Kiwi for the era shows that there are three adhesives, earliest date 30 December 1864 and latest date? October 1865, with an unidentified intermediate date. Details of adhesives with readable dates are as follows: - 30 December 1864 (Illustrated) 2 October 1865 (Illustrated) 7 December 1865 (Illustrated) The 7 December 1865 was reported after the List was published 2 October December 1864 (3 inverted) 7 December THE KIWI Volume 31.2 January 1982 page 35 63

64 Province of Auckland cds No.7 reallocated & converted to the Number 0 or Letter O. Probably Mangawai Province of Auckland cds No. 7 Converted to the letter O Details of recorded covers era There has only been one recorded cover in this period, letter dated 25 October 1872, but postmarked on the 30 October October 1872 (Province of Auckland cds No. O) location unknown, faint strike on 6d value Chalon adhesive cancelled at Auckland with the No. 1 Barred obliterator. 30 October 1872 (date 30 in manuscript Province of Auckland cds No. O, 30 October 1872 Auckland cds, 24 December 1872 Dublin cds on arrival in Ireland. 64

65 Province of Auckland cds No.7 reallocated & converted to the Number 0 or Letter O. Probably Mangawai Location of use - unknown The writer of the above letter appears to be the wife of Horatio De Courcey Martelli, who was a resident of Panmure , Eden Roll; Dwelling Panmure. He was also on the Electoral Roll for Marsden ; , living in Grafton Road but also owning land and a house at Mangawai in his occupation. Possible location of posting. Mangawai, (alternative name Molesworth), opened 17 January 1860, moved to Hakaru 1 March Manuscript cancels a possibility for the whole period. (Province of Auckland circular datestamp also possible). At one stage it was considered that given the date of the letter 25 th October 1872, that it could have been written and posted at Mangawai however although the strike of the datestamp is under inked and faint, it appears that the date has been added in manuscript, the date of posting appears now to be the same as the Auckland cds of 30 October Panmure, opened 3 February 1849, Manuscript cancels recorded; 1 July September 1866, earliest datestamp (Province of Auckland circular datestamp also possible). List of recorded dates on adhesives era According to the List 21 in The Kiwi, there are four dates known, the earliest 30 October 1872, and the latest There was an adhesive in the Ken McNaught collection with a partial strike, dated either 28 October or December Possible confusion between No. 4 cds and No. 7 cds conversions As there were two Datestamps converted to the letter O confusion of identification could have taken place when recording the dates. No. 4 cds (changed to letter O ) location of use unknown Known dates of use (no covers recorded) 29 October October 1873 No. 7 cds (changed to letter O ) location of use unknown Known dates of use (one cover recorded) 29 October 1872 (cover) & 28 December? THE KIWI Volume 31.2 January 1982 page 35 65

66 Appendix I Identification of the Datestamps Due to the irregular and different set out of the lettering of PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND, and the letters NZ, even if the Number is obscure or even missing it is still possible to identify the different datestamps, with the use of the Acetate sheet. Unfortunately it is only possible to identify the location of use, with covers and enclosed letters. Province of Auckland Datestamps Number 1 Number 2 Both the Number 1 and Number 2 datestamps are 23.5 mm Diameter Number 3 Number 4 Number 5 Number 6 Number 7 Numbers 3 to 7 datestamps are 23 mm Diameter 66