Travels in New Zealand, 1831-1837

Polack, Joel Samuel, New Zealand, being a Narrative of Travels and Adventures during a residence in that country between the years 1831 and 1837. (Richard Bentley, London 1838) - 2 Vols, pp.xii,403, vi,441. Complete with plates and folding map. Old half calf worn and split. Raised bands and gilt titles on spines, some wear. Joel Samuel Polack was among the very first Jewish settlers to arrive in New Zealand in 1831 (Cooper and Levy set up shop in 1829, and Joseph Barrow Montefiore arrived from Sydney in 1830). Before landing in New Zealand, he had been an artist in England, a gold miner in California, an ordinance officer in South Africa, and a ship's chandler in Australia. He returned to England in 1837, where his expertise led to his testifying before the select committee of the House of Lords regarding the colonization of New Zealand, where he advocated for planned colonization, fearful that unorganized European settlement would destroy Maori society.