Cleansing The Colony

Discover the untold stories of New Zealand's convicts in 'Cleansing the Colony'. This captivating book by Kristyn Harman explores the overlooked chapter of penal transportation to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). Delve into the lives of 110 individuals, including remarkable profiles like William Phelps Pickering, a self-made man turned criminal, and Margaret Reardon, a convicted perjurer with ties to murder. 'Cleansing the Colony' examines the harsh realities faced by those sentenced to convict labour and highlights the broader penal servitude system in 19th-century Australia. Gain insights into a period marked by colonial justice, societal cleansing, and the struggles of M?ori warriors subjected to foreign governance. With 284 pages of rich narratives, this paperback offers a thoughtful reflection on the intersection of crime and punishment within the British Empire. Perfect for history enthusiasts and those interested in social justice, this book reveals the complex dynamics of a society intent on regulating its underclass while weaving a tapestry of personal experiences that still resonate today. Enhance your historical collection and explore these powerful stories that illuminate New Zealand's connection to Australia's penal history.

Author: Kristyn Harman Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm
Pages: 284
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.