Description

By the 1870s the four major cites in New Zealand were experiencing rapid growth while surrounding forested areas were being felled, drained and turned into pasture. From the 1850s to early 1870s the European population climbed from just 30,000 to more than 250,000.

This painting shows how Wellington had substantially expanded since its beginnings in the 1840s. Economic expansion and development were also fuelled by the Colonial treasurer, Julius Vogel. He borrowed substantial amounts of money from Europe to assist settlement of New Zealand by Pakeha, but also to build up New Zealand’s infrastructure including; the telegraph, ports, bridges, railway tracks and roads.

Discussion

When was the telegraph introduced into New Zealand and how did it work?