IA 1 1856/2365
National Archives Wellington
Partial transcript.
see Register Room


1855 Sep 08	Circular Re: James MORRISON & Co.


1856 Jul 09	John MORRISON Auckland
		As to Messrs J. MORRISON & Co. becoming
		Agents for the New Zealand Government.


John MORRISON of Auckland "was requested by Messrs James
MORRISON & CO. of Philpot Lane, London to take steps in their
behalf for their appointment to the office of agents for the
colony of New Zealand.... to lay before you... an application
in writing... and in doing so I have only to regret that my
connection with these gentlemen has been so recent that I may
may not be so well qualified to speak of their circumstances
as others to whom they refer who have known them longer...

... Messrs MORRISON & Co. state that the New Zealand Government
have hitherto employed a gentleman of the name of RIDGEWAY to
transact their business for them, but they surmise that that
appointment is only temporary; and as it will be necessary to
transact the business of the General Government by a regularly
appointed mercantile agent they express their desire to obtain
such appointment, feeling themselves well qualified by position,
capital & character to accept it...

the present members of the firm... who are well known in Sydney,
Melbourne & Adelaide as well as in the several settlements of
New Zealand...

They are represented in:
Wellington by Messrs W. B. RHODES & Co.
Nelson by Danl. MOORE & Co.
New Plymouth by Geo. CURTIS
Auckland by myself [John MORRISON]

and as they have been for years interested in the New Zealand
trade they are perhaps as intimately acquainted with the general
bearing of affairs in this colony as any other house in London...

Their charges for purchasing are 2.5% and by their connection
with the banking interest they are prepared to negotiate for such
loans as those now contemplated by the General Government in
favourable terms...

Messrs J. MORRISON & Co. have communicated with Thos. BAITLEY
Esq., Auckland & Messrs W. B. RHODES & Co., Wellington on the
subject."