Port Nicholson, Sept 24th, 1839
Colonel Wakefield paced the deck of the Tory in growing frustration. No one was listening to him; again he repeated his instructions to the hapless sailors.
"Keep the muskets further back!" he yelled. "I told you, have the larger items placed to the rear and the smaller items near the front where they can be easily seen. Spread everything out so that it will appear there is more!"
Items of all description were arranged on the deck; there were dozens of shirts, pants and nightcaps. Tomahawks, axes, adzes, boxes of soap, wax, lead and shaving brushes were stacked in neat orderly rows. The New Zealand Company had brought from England cotton, calico, ribbon and handkerchiefs, all quality fabrics and now proudly displayed. Nor had they forgotten the much soug
