1840 Early 1840 William Purves buys 2560 acres near Banks ...

holding up preparations. Langlois left us two days ago, having handed over
20,000 francs. Belligny left yesterday. Arnous Rivière is with us [ALG, A13].
28 Jan. Decazes writes to Lavaud, who is held up by unfavourable winds. Decazes is
anxious to have as many settlements as possible to assert French possession.
King Louis-Philippe and the Minister of the Interior are very keen to establish a
penal colony on the Chathams. Decazes expects a warship and two companies
of soldiers to be sent. The arguments with Langlois have been resolved [also
ALG, D23].
Soulange Bodin sends Decazes a list of N.Z. trees, drawn up by Hardy: their
seeds are to be sent back [ALG, A4]. Belligny to Balguerie & Co.: Make no
changes in the agreement you came to with Langlois, or you risk further
demands. He is still talking about his fifth share. I am doing my best to dissuade
him from this line of thought. I have told him of the new concessions made by
the Minister of War [ALG, A13]. Decazes sends to Bordeaux modifications to
his notes on the instructions to be given to Langlois [also ref: ALG, A13].
The French whaler Grétry, Captain Foulon, calls at Port Cooper [CC5 611].
29 Jan. Hobson arrives at the Bay of Islands.
30 Jan. Writing on board the Aube at Brest, Father Pezant says that Lavaud does not
think the French government’s plans (for a penal colony) will be successful and
that Lavaud will probably be replaced by Cécille in August 1841. Hobson
announces that he has assumed the office of Lieutenant-Governor and that all
land titles must be confirmed by, or derived from, the British Crown.
The French whaler Pauline, Captain Billard, arrives at Akaroa [CC5 611].
31 Jan. The Tablettes publishes an article by Sainte Croix de Pajol, criticising the N-B
venture: N.Z. is no Eldorado. A. Langlois to Balguerie & Co.: I enclose a list of
purchases I have made on the company’s behalf to the value of 1772.40 francs
with Lavaud’s approval [ALG, D12]. Balguerie & Co. to Decazes: In
accordance with your advice, we shall write to Soult about Lavaud’s
instructions. We have agreed with Arnous Rivière to keep the company capital
at 200,000 francs, with the possibility of raising it to 300,000. You still have
35,000 out of 80,000 francs set aside for your expenses. This may be raised to
100,000 if you like. As you suggest, we shall request payment of 50% of each
investor’s financial commitment. All our purchases have been paid in cash.
Thank you for your help with the Navy and Commerce ministeries [ALG,
A13]. The Nanto-Bordelaise Co. write to Soult, asking for information on the
instructions given to Lavaud. The French whaler Adèle, Captain Walch, anchors
at Peraki [CC5 611].
1 Feb. Balguerie & Co. to Decazes: We are thinking of charging colonists 50 centimes
per are, which is less than the £1 per acre that the British are charging in the
North Island. We will not kill the venture by keeping the capital at 200,000