Andersen. — Mission of the " Britomart " at Akaroa. 81 



real object to wiiich I wish particularly to call your attention is to defeat the move- 

 ments of any foreign ship of war that may be engaged in establishing a settlement in 

 any part of the coast of New Zealand. 



There are various rumours current that Captain Lavaud, of the French corvette 

 " L'Aube," now at anchor in this port, is employed in the furtherance of designs such 

 as I have before mentioned. From some observations that fell from him, I discovered 

 that his, intention was to proceed to the southern islands, being under the impression 

 that the land about Akaroa and Banks Peninsula, in the Middle Island, is the property 

 of a French subject. These circumstances, combined with the tone in which Captain 

 Lavaud alluded to Akaroa and Banks Peninsula, excited, in my mind', a strong pre- 

 sumption tha,t he is charged with some mission in that quarter incompatible with the 

 Sovereign rights of Her Britannic Majesty, and wMch, as I have before observed, it will 

 be your study by every means to frustrate. 



If my suspicions prove correct, " L'Aube " will no doubt proceed direct to 

 Akaroa and Banks Peninsula, for which place I have earnestly to request that you will 

 at once depart with the utmost expedition, as it would be a point of the utmost con- 

 sideration that, on his arrival at that port, he may find you in occupation, so that it 

 wiU be out of his power to dislodge you without committing some direct act of hostility. 



Captain Lavaud may, however, anticipate you at Akaroa, or (should he- be 

 defeated in his movements) may endeavour to estabUsh himseK at some other point. 

 In the event of either contingency occurring, I have to request you will remonstrate 

 and protest in the most decided manner against such proceeding, and impress upon 

 him that such interference must be considered as an act of decided hostile invasion. 



You will perceive by the enclosed copy of Major Bunbury's declaration that 

 independent of the assumption of the sovereignty of the Middle and Southern Islands, 

 as announced by my proclamation of the 21st May last (a copy of which is also 

 enclosed), the principal chiefs have ceded their rights to Her Majesty through that 

 officer, who was fully authorised to treat with them for that purpose ; it will not, 

 therefore, be necessary for you to adopt any further proceedings. It will, however, 

 be advisable that some act of civil authority should be exercised on the islands, and 

 for that purpose the magistrates who accompany you will be instructed to hold a 

 court on their arrival at each port, and to have a record of their proceedings registered 

 and transmitted to me. 



You will by every opportunity which may offer forward intelligence of the French 

 squadron's movements, and should you deem it necessary, to the Secretary of State 

 for the Colonies through the Admiralty and to His Excellency Sir George Gipps, 

 Governor of New South Wales. 



Mr. Murphy and Mr. Robinson, the magistrates who accompany you, will receive 

 a memorandum of instructions' for their future guidance, which you will be pleased 

 to hand to them when you arrive at your destination. 



As your presence in these islands will be of the utmost importance to keep in check 

 any aggression on the part of foreign Powers, I have earnestly to request that, should 

 vou require any further supply of provisions the same may be procured, if possible, 

 at Port Nicholson, or at any of the ports on the coast, without returning to Sydney. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 



W. HOBSON. 



The instructions to the Magistrates are not copied by Rusden ; they 

 and the above were, however, discovered in the Public Records Office in 

 London by Mr. Guy H. Scholefield, London correspondent of the Press. 

 The instructions were addressed to Mr. Murphy, whose name appears first 

 in Stanley's instructions, he, not Robinson, being apparently the senior 

 officer. They were as follows : — 



Memo, of Instructions to be .attended to by Mr. Murphy. P.M. 



You will, at every port that H.M. sloop " Britomart " touches at, act in your 

 magisterial capacity, and, as it is requisite that the civil authority should be strictly 

 exercised, should no case be brought under your notice, you \vill adjourn from day to 

 day, and a careful record of your proceedings be registered, a copy of which you will 

 transmit to me. 



Under any circumstances that Captain Stanley may call upon you for assistance 

 you will, of course, render it, and co-operate generally vnth. him in the advancement of 

 any measures he mav think it expedient to adopt. 



Dated at Russell, 21st July, 1S40. 



