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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Fresh Fields on Tuesday 08 January 19 21:31 GMT (UK)
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Hello.
Yesterday I was sent copies of correspondence from our Wellington National Archives. Most of which I can clearly read and or understand, but the clerk's [?] notation on the back there of I'm struggling with.
The first notation; Greeting note and two lines.
Suggestions appreciated. Thanks.
Alan.
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Xxxxxxx. (This is identical on one of the other notes. Is it J MacClain? I thought Minister first, But definitely a dot over second to last letter, but also a dot further forward consistent to both occurrences so maybe not MacClain.)
Xxxxx (Pass?)this to the Surveyor General for his xxxxxx
Upon the xxxxxxxxx of the rent offered
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Refer this to the Surveyor General for his report
Upon the ?business of the rent offered
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I did wonder if it was Surgeon General , but I think the long down stroke fits better in a Y position than a G position
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Gee that was quick.
I'm not the only one struggling to be sure. More academic than any thing tho. The actual terms and conditions of the lease offered, is available on other documents; the deed; and in brief form, in gazette and press notices of the period. Quite a number of RESERVED LANDS titles throughout Auckland, were leased to provide funds for the first hospital.
The Archives provide a fantastic service. By saving those first letters, to the first civil administration of NZ, one can see how the young men from Scotland, with no prospect on the land there, were slowly able to work their way up to land ownership in New Zealand.
Arrived NZ newly married with a few chosen hand tools and a single barrelled shotgun 1842. Leased land 1850 - 1871. Bought 200 acres further south 1868, and in the process also hosted other later arriving relatives. The making of NZ farming stock.
Thank's.
Alan.
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Surveyor General would be correct.
Would the name be A or H Sinclair?
'Refer this letter (to the) S G upon the business of the rent offered.'
This would probably be the SG for the province of Auckland as it is prior to the 1870s when land leasing arrangements, except for some endowments moved to a central Department of Lands & Survey.
NZETC might be useful or a history of land tenure in early NZ. The names of the staff should be able to be found.
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I think you are correct
Perhaps Dr. As in Dear Sinclair
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Thank you muchly.
As soon as I saw Sinclair it rang bells. In the first instance I had been looking for an anser with two "i"
However PaperstPast quickly proves your point with many hits.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ACNZC18440110.2.5?query=Dr%20Sinclair&sort_by=byDA&items_per_page=100&phrase=2&start_date=01-01-1839&end_date=31-12-1852&snippet=true
COMPLETED.
Alan.