Handsome Trunk

Captain Francis Liardet gave his left eye for New Plymouth. His brief stint as New Zealand Company Resident Agent came to an explosive end on 29 November 1841. Liardet had only been in town a few weeks when a four pound cannon from the ship Regina blew up in his face. He was badly wounded, lost an eye and was invalided home – but before he left he played a significant part in the establishment of the fledgling town.

Liardet came to New Plymouth after distinguished service around the world in the Royal Navy, but the rough state of New Plymouth, and its lack of safe anchorage was enough to fray his nerves. In a letter to Colonel William Wakefield on 13 October 1841 he remarked, “I never led such an anxious life as I do here. One is continually in fear of boats being upset, or vessels being blown off; I am obliged to become beach master myself, to prevent accidents, for I am quite determined to send boats off, very frequently when the men refuse from downright fear. In fact one should have iron nerves on purpose for this place.” 

When his handsome mahogany travel trunk, complete with brass fittings and nameplate, surfaced at an Auckland auction in early 2010, after being repatriated from England - it was an opportunity too good to miss. It was subsequently purchased for the Puke Ariki Heritage Collection.