NRS-4555 | Papers relating to Norfolk Island

A miscellaneous collection of correspondence, accounts, invoices, receipts etc. dealing with such matters as the reduction of the penal establishment, the transfer of the Pitcairn Islanders to Norfolk, the ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the island and the establishment of a Melanesian School, various descriptions of the island's history and trade, governors' visits, laws and regulations, land grants and other land matters, health reports, the importation of skilled artisans, a survey made of the island, the Public Accounts, the island's investments with the Oriental Bank Corporation, the state of the buildings and agriculture, the supply of stores, and the payment of salaries. Some of the more important documents are: 4/1673 Report on the advantages of not having convicts on Norfolk and suggestions to reduce Penal Establishment, 8 June 1852; Report on the possibilities of the settlement on Norfolk of the Pitcairn Islanders and the evacuation of convicts, 8 June 1853; Correspondence between the Governor of New South Wales and the Secretary of State with reference to the settling of Pitcairn Islanders on Norfolk Island, 28 October 1857-8 September 1862 (Printed by order of House of Commons); Lieutenant Gregorie's Narrative, 11 June 1856. Account of the Voyage to Pitcairn and hence to Norfolk to convey emigrants; The question of the Bishopric and the establishment of a Melanesian School, 24 September 1857; voting by the Islanders, 3 October 1857; Draft of a speech by Sir William Denison c.October 1857 concerning Norfolk - its position and natural resources, the history of the present occupation, its trade, the Governor's visit, his instructions and advice to the community, land regulations, the state of the knowledge and education of the inhabitants, and their appearance; Enclosures in despatches to Rt. Hon. Henry Laboudiere dated 30 October 1857 - (Abstract from Journal relating to Governor's visit; List of Inhabitants according to their seniority, 30 September 1857; Alphabetical list of the resident families, 6 October 1857; Report on Surgeon Lawrence of "Iris" on health of inhabitants, 13 October 1857; Detailed account of the buildings on the island; Report of Land in cultivation October 1857; and, Instructions and advice addressed to the Chief Magistrate of Norfolk); Instructions to Sappers sent to Norfolk c.June 1858; Papers re agreement with Captain Wilson to take families back to Pitcairn Island; Papers relating to the small group of skilled artisans thought necessary by Denison to immigrate to Norfolk to teach islanders; Report of Survey by Corporal Thomas Kennedy and Sapper George Jamieson, Royal Engineers, 29 August 1859; General Instruction to Mr Rossiter as Storekeeper c.July 1859; Papers re Registration of Property, July-August 1859; Arrangements for keeping Meteorological Register on Norfolk, 27 June 1859; Arrangements for accommodation of skilled artisans and families, 27 June 1859; Reports from Thomas Rossiter, schoolmaster and storekeeper, 26 September 1859, 31 May and 26 October 1860; Correspondence from Rev. George H. Nobles to Governor on the success of the whaling and other matters; Papers setting out plans for the introduction of the numerical scheme of the Registration of Titles into New South Wales by Robert Kelly, Registrar of Deeds for the Province of Auckland, N.Z., August 1859; Proposed Regulations for regulating transfers and dealings in Land at Norfolk, October 1859 (printed); Supplement to the New South Wales Government Gazette re Laws and Regulations of Norfolk Island, 12 October 1860; Suggestions for products that could be grown on Norfolk Island (Japanese Wax plant, cork, cotton etc.). 4/1674 Letter to Earl of Belmore from Rev. G.H. Nobles, 5 February 1868, giving history of Norfolk Islanders; Returns of Births, Deaths and Marriages 1869; Medical reports of fever of 1868. The document dated 1 October 1880 (4/7641.7) is a petition re the building of moorings; the document dated 7 February 1893 (4/7641.8) announces the appointment of Stephen Christian to the position of Chief Magistrate1852-72 (4/1673-1674 part; microfilm copy SR Reel 1248), 1 Oct 1880 (4/7641.7 formerly ML An45/7), 7 Feb 1893 (4/7641.8 formerly ML An45/14). 2 vols (part), 2 bundles. Note:This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.