Discover the gripping accounts of New Zealand's convicts in 'Cleansing The Colony' by Kristyn Harman. This compelling paperback, published by Otago University Press, delves into the mid-nineteenth century when over 110 Kiwi prisoners were transported to the infamous penal colony of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania). The book intricately portrays the extraordinary lives of ordinary individuals caught in the web of colonial justice, including William Phelps Pickering, a self-made entrepreneur turned criminal, and Margaret Reardon, a convicted perjurer with ties to a murder plot. Readers will also learn about Te Kumete, a M?ori warrior whose journey exemplifies the struggles faced by those branded by the British Empire. This invaluable historical examination not only reveals the harsh punishments imposed on criminals but also explores the societal responses to crime and punishment in colonial New Zealand. 'Cleansing The Colony' offers rich narratives that highlight the complex socio-political landscape of the era. With its 284 pages, this brand-new paperback book (150 x 230 mm) is essential for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in the intricate tales of transportation and penal servitude. Enjoy the convenience of local shipping with Smartfox NZ. Located in Auckland, we ensure you receive your product swiftly, free from unexpected import charges or customs duties, since our stock is based in NZ.

CONDITION: Brand New
Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm
Pages: 284
Bind: paperback
Author: Kristyn Harman Publisher: Otago University Press
Publication Date: 10-11-2017

Everyone knows Australia was once a penal colony, but few realise that New Zealander prisoners were sent there. During the mid-nineteenth century at least 110 people were transported from New Zealand to serve time as convict labourers in the penal colony of Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). Even more were sentenced by colonial judges to the harsh punishment of transportation, but somehow managed to avoid being sent across the Tasman Sea. In examining the remarkable experiences of unremarkable people, this fascinating book provides insights into the lives of people like William Phelps Pickering, a self-made entrepreneur turned criminal; Margaret Reardon, a potential accomplice to murder and convicted perjurer; and Te Kumete, a M?ori warrior transported as a rebel. Their stories, and others like them, reveal a complex society overseen by a governing class intent on cleansing the colony of what was considered to be a burgeoning criminal underclass. This lively book also offers insights into penal servitude in Van Diemen’s Land as revealed through the lived experiences of the men and sole woman transported from New Zealand. Whether M?ori men serving time for political infractions, white-collar criminals, labourers, vagrants or the soldiers sent to fight the empire’s wars, each convict’s experiences reveal something about the way in which the British Empire sought to discipline, punish and reform those who trespassed against it.

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