Historian explores Kāpiti's maritime past
Local historian Anthony Dreaver will be discussing Kāpiti’s coastal shipping, in the early days of colonisation, at an upcoming Kāpiti Historical Society meeting.
“When I wrote a history of Horowhenua County in 1985, it was reviewed by the late Gavin McLean, who was an enthusiastic historian of New Zealand’s shipping. He liked my book, but wondered why I had neglected the story of the ships that used to be a lifeline between Wellington, our coast and Whanganui. I now agree with him, and want to go a little way to restore the balance.”
Dreaver’s talk will focus on one little schooner, the Emma Jane, which sailed between Wellington and Waikanae from 1848 to 1852.
“Her master was William Brown, whose headstone can be seen beside the Waimea Lagoon at Waikanae Beach and which records that he was drowned in 1852.
“His brief story tells a lot about the contribution of the products of Kāpiti Māori farmers and flax producers to the survival of Wellington.”
Dreaver grew up in Balclutha, South Otago. Before retiring, he was a teacher of history, geography and social studies. Living in Horowhenua, Wellington and Kā piti since 1973, Dreaver became fascinated by the region’s past and wanted to share its story. He helped to set up Horowhenua Historical Society and wrote centennial histories of Horowhenua County (1985) and of Levin (2006). This interest led to a biography of Levin farmer and scientist Leslie Adkin (1997).
He edited Otaki ¯ Historical Society’s Historical Journal for many years and has been chairman of Paekākāriki Station Museum Trust. Since 2009 he has been active in Kāpiti US Marines Trust. He has frequently given talks or field trips about Kāpiti’s history.