JOHN TURNBULL THOMSON - FIRST SURVEYOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND

by John Hall-Jones

This is the story of John Turnbull Thomson, the Chief Surveyor of Otago who became the first Surveyor-General of New Zealand after the abolition of provincial governments. It is also the story of the exploration and mapping of southern New Zealand as told by Thomson and illustrated with his own paintings.

When Thomson was appointed Chief Surveyor of Otago in 1856 only a coastal chart of the province was available. The rest of the map was a huge blank space labelled 'unexplored'. During 1856-58 Thomson covered this vast territory on horseback and foot in a series of sweeps that took him as far west as Fiordland and as far north as Mt Cook. He became the first surveyor to see the great Southern Lakes and the first European to approach Mt Cook. On his journeys he discovered and named the Lindis Pass, Mt Aspiring, Mt Earnslaw and many other prominent landmarks.

Fortunately Thomson kept a journal on his travels and executed a large number of water colour paintings. His journal is quoted throughout and his first hand descriptions lend both an immediacy and authenticity to the text. Thomson's paintings include the first of the Southern Lakes and the first of Mt Cook from the east.

Published by McIndoe Publishers in 1992

Large format hardcover (with dust jacket) - 114 pages

Like new condition

NOTE: This is a registered charity auction with proceeds being donated to worthy causes in the community