Nelson's First Magistrate
Article No. 2.

In The Nelson Historical Society Journal Volume 2, Number 3, something of the life story of H. A. Thompson, Nelson's first magistrate, was published. At the time the article was written it had not been possible to contact any descendants of Thompson but since then new information has emerged. A great-grandson from Australia while on a visit to Nelson called at the Provincial Museum and, in conversation with Mr A. S. Bagley, Museum Director, stated that he had letters and documents which he would be pleased to hand over to the Museum for inclusion in our historical library. These tell something of the man himself and are a welcome addition to our archives.

In writing up any record of Henry Augustus Thompson one is very conscious of the fact that he still appears to be referred to as F. A. Thompson—even in the best historical circles. Surely this must be one of those unusual quirks of English grammar where one spells Henry with a capital F. Unfortunately an error has been made at page 33some early stage and the mistake continues to be repeated. There is no doubt about Thompson's correct name in the letters and documents which have been preserved.

Three letters were from John Abel Smith, M.P., a banker and a director of the New Zealand Company, who was writing from London. One was a letter introducing Mr Augustus Thompson to Captain Arthur Wakefield in New Zealand dated July 19, 1841, and read: "My Dear Sir, This letter will be given to you by my particular friend, Mr Augustus Thompson, who sails in a few days for New Zealand with full intention of attaching himself to the fortunes of the second colony. Mr Thompson is a gentleman of eight years standing at the Bar, and of considerable general attainments and from long and intimate acquaintance I can speak with the undoubting confidence of his high and unsullied character and his generous and high minded feelings of independence. I believe he will be a valuable addition to your society……Mr Thompson's particular object at first will be to obtain some Magisterial or Judicial appointment in the Second Colony. He is provided with letters to Captain Hobson……"

A letter from Captain William Hobson, Governor, to Thompson, dated 1 June, 1842, gave details about the matter of making appointments at Nelson including Pilot and Harbourmaster, Postmaster, Magistrate and similar offices. He was also to consult with Captain Wakefield about the appointments. A further letter from J. A. Smith in London was dated May 24th, 1842: "My dear Thompson, This letter will be presented to you by Dr T. Renwick who is going out as surgeon to Nelson……"

Thompson was only 37 years ot age when appointed to Nelson, where amongst all his other official offices he was to be the Protector of Aboriginees, and be in charge of Native Reserves. He certainly appears to have been somewhat eccentric and was a man of impetuous and uncertain temper. Even Captain Arthur Wakefield saw fit to write to his brother Colonel William Wakefield, "Thompson's irritable temper is making him enemies……"

Thompson's Journal, which has been preserved, commenced on September 5, 1842, and continued until April 25, 1843. In this, official and business matters are intermixed with references to his farm property and similar undertakings. He and his wife were living in the town and he often walked over the hill to Penton farm (on the hillside at Tahunanui) to supervise the work of the men he was employing. On a few occasions he was taken round by boat. He refers to the purchase of fowls, of the turkey and her poults, of heifers and cows, and also the birth of a foal. A house was being built on the farm in December 1842 a man commenced plastering the building. In April 1843 500 bricks were sent to the building site and it is reasonable to assume that the house was still unoccupied when the journal ended in that month.

The Magistrate's official duties were many and varied, attending at the Bank, dispatching overseas mails and attending to Court business. On March 1, 1843, he assumed duties as County Judge page 34and made various official appointments. Mr McDonald became Honorary Sheriff and Mr Shepherd Clerk of the Court while Mr Nelson became Officer of Health, and Mr Cautley Deputy Postmaster. The Colonial Secretary, Lieutenant Willoughby Shortland, wrote on March 18, 1843, stating that it was not possible for Thompson to form a legal jury and that he was to confine his operations to civil cases. Shortland also suggested that prisoners should be sent to Victoria. There is nothing in the journal so suggest that any prisoners were sent away but there are many references to the building of a goal, and the appointment (and discharging) of several constables. It is interesting to reed that charges were brought against the captains of two ships in March and April for smuggling goods into Nelson.

Some interesting entries are made concerning his dealings with the Maori population. In September 1842 he went to Wauka Pa Wauka as two men had beers shot. Paremate was badly wounded but Thompson did not deem is necessary to make an arrest as Paremata had started the argument. There were some arguments over the ownership of land and as early as October 1842 there were some difficulties in Motueka when Maori people prevented settlers from building homes on the sections which they had been allocated. In the following January J. W. Barnicoat was drawing a plan of the Motueka and Moutere districts, colouring in the Maori reserves. Captain Wakefield provided the Deal boat and accompanied Thompson and three constables to Motueka with the idea of arresting Epoha. The situation was resolved psacably but some Maori folk visited Nelson with further complaints in April 1843.

Meanwhile problems had arisen at Motupipi. Early in November 1842 a letter was sent to Captain Arthur Wakefield concerning the fact that the Maori people were interrupting white people who were working coal. On November 15 the Magistrate and Captain Wakefield set out for Massacre Bay. There was Mr Tytler, three constables, three of the men who had been working the coal and a crew of eight men. All were well armed. (Mr Tod and Captain England were sitting at the Nelson Police office while Thompson was away). The party made no arrets as Thompson noted when he returned to Nelson on November 18, "Settled business very peacably." The show of force had effect and this probably led the Magisirate to believe that all differences could be handled in like manner. On March 10, 1843, it was recorded that "Raupero (Te Rauparaha) and son arrived in a canoe from Kapiti to make arrangements concerning new found land at Wairoo." At this stage it becomes very apparent that Thompson underestimated the Maori claim to the ownership of the Wairau lands and the subsequent events which led to the deaths of so many of the Nelson men at Tua Marina is a matter of history which need not be repeated here Thompson's hasty temper and lack of understanding of the Maori people were not the right ingredients to produce a peaceful settlement. The disaster on June 17. 1843, had far reaching consequences. Colonel W. Wakefield, in a letter to Mrs page 35Thompson, dated August 9, 1843, stated that he felt that it was best to leave the bodies in a common grave where they had been buried. Bishop G. A. Selwyn wrote a long letter tendering his condolences and offering Mrs Thompson hospitality at the Selwyn home at Waimate in North Auckland.

The document concerning probate with a copy of the will of H. A. Thompson is included in the preserved material. The will was dated March 11, 1843, Thompson's signature being witnessed by W. L. Shepherd and W. O. Cautley. Probate was declared on November 21, 1843. £200 was to be paid to a beneficiary in England and the residue was to go to his wife Elizabeth.

The coat of arms carrying the name of Hy. Augustus Thompson depicts three falcons on a shield.