Henry Halse

FAREWELL DINNER AND DEPARTURE OF THE FIRST COLONISTS TO NEW PLYMOUTH.

The Plymouth Company of New Zealand having resolved on giving a farewell dinner to the cabin passengers of the Amelia Thompson, previous to her departure for her destination, the entertainment took place on Friday, 19th March., at Whiddow's Royal Hotel. The following Directors of the Plymouth Company were present:--Capt. Charles Bulkeley, of Stonehouse; Richard Fillis, Esq., of Plymouth; George Leach, of Stoke; and Dr. Thorburn, Princess-square, Plymouth. The cabin passengers present were:--Captain Henry King, R.N.; Captain L. H. Davy, late of the Bengal Army; James Webster, Esq.; William and Henry Halse, Esqrs, of St. James' Palace, London; George John Cooke, Esq., late of the 11th Regiment; Charles Brown, Esq., of Plymouth; Mr. John Wallace, of Birmingham; Messrs.

On the 25th March, 1841, the barque Amelia Thompson, 480 tons, Capt. Dawson, was despatched from Plymouth for New Plymouth, with the following persons--Capt. Henry King, R.N., Chief Commissioner of the New Plymouth Colony, his lady and son; Mr. Edwin Brown, lady and two children; Capt. Davy and son; Capt. Cooke; Mr. Webster, lady and three children; Miss Baker; Mr. Wallace and son; Mr. Merchant and lady; Messrs. C. Brown, junior; William and Henry Halse, Ibbotson, Goodall, Lewthwaite, St. George, Marshall, Mr. Evans, ship's surgeon; eight in the intermediate, and 156 in the steerage; total, 187 passengers.

HENRY HALSE (1820 - 1888) Grew up in St James Palace where his father was the State Page to King George IV and King William IV) He was born in the City of London; educated there and entered St George's Hospital to study medicine but, preferring an outdoor life, sailed in the Amelia Thompson with his brother William for New Zealand. Arriving at New Plymouth (1841), they first engaged unsuccessfully in farming. He married Mary Ann Shaw.

In 1846 Henry entered the civil service. In 1850 he was appointed as Sergeant Major of Police in New Plymouth. 1853 Henry was promoted to Sub Inspector Taranaki Provincial Police Force. In 1856 he was appointed Inspector of the Taranaki Native Police. In the same year he was appointed a Trustee of the New Plymouth Savings Bank. In 1858 he was appointed Commissioner of Native Reserves in Taranaki and in the following year Magistrate and Commissioner of Police. In 1958 he was appointed Resident Magistrate and Assistant Native Secretary in New Plymouth. As Assistant Native Secretary, he reported the murder of Katatore.

In 1959 he moved to Auckland as a JP and Magistrate in that city. In 1861 he became Acting Under Secretary of the Native Dept and then in 1871 he became the Assistant Under Secretary Native Dept. In 1875 Halse became a Judge of the Native Land Court a position he held until 1880, when he retired. It was reported at the time that he was given a pension of £400 per annum.

He was a fine Maori scholar and linguist and a capable, conscientious judge. On his retirement a petition was sent to he Government signed by the Maori Chief Wi Pere and 64 natives asking for his reinstatement.

Henry Halse died on 5 Jun 1888, at his residence at 129B Tinakori Rd, Thorndon, Wellington. •1pp. H.R., 1867 A4; Wells; N.Z. Times, 7 Jun 1888.

There are many documents written by Henry in the course of his work, held on the Nat Library of NZ's website.