THE FRENCH AT AKAROA

New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 302, 6 April 1945, Page 5

THE FRENCH AT AKAROA

Sir,-If "Marguerite" wishes to know the full story of the Nanto-Bordelaise ‘Company and the French Settlement, she should read The French at Akaroa, by T. Lindsay Buick. It is a most interesting book and the result of intensive research, British sovereignty over the South Island was proclaimed at Cloudy Bay in June, 1840, two months before the arrival of the French settlers. There was therefore no need for a race between the Aube and the Britomart. It is safe to assume that Captain Lavaud, of

the Aube, was told by Captain Hobson at the Bay of Islands that France had no hope of acquiring a new colony, and that the Britomart was sent to Akaroa only to assert British authority. A comparison of the voyages of the two: ships will show that Captain Lavaud, if he had wished, could have arrived in Akaroa before the Britomart. He chose to wait, and to allow the British magistrates to raise the flag at Akaroa before he entered the harbour. Captain Lavaud was in a most difficult position. He was now thrown on his own responsibility until he could receive fresh orders from France. He must tread most delicately in order not to come into conflict with the British, and, perhaps for this reason, and perhaps in order to avoid trouble among the French while he was waiting for his instructions, he kept the settlers in ignorance of the fact that they were not on French soil, nor were they aware of this until three years later.

RUTH FRANCE

(Lyttelton).