No. 11.
Proclamation by His Excellency William Hobson, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of the British
Settlements in progress in New Zealand, &c., &c.

Whereas Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, has been graciously pleased to direct that measures shall be taken for the establishment of a settled form of civil government over those of Her Majesty's subjects who are already settled in New Zealand, or who may hereafter resort hither: and whereas Her Majesty has also been graciously pleased to direct letters patent to be issued, under the Great Seal of the said United Kingdom, bearing date the 15th day of June, in the year 1839, by which the former boundaries of the Colony of New South Wales are so extended as to comprehend any part of New Zealand that is or may be acquired in sovereignty by Her Majesty, her heirs or successors: And whereas Her Majesty has been further pleased, by a commission under her Royal Signet and Sign-manual, bearing date the 30th day of July, 1839, to appoint me, William Hobson, Esq., Captain in Her Majesty's navy, to be Lieutenant-Governor in and over any territory which is or may be acquired in sovereignty by Her Majesty, her heirs or successors, within that group of islands in the Pacific Ocean commonly called New Zealand, and lying between the latitude 34° 30' and 47° 10' S., and 166° 5' and 179° E. longitude, from the meridian of Greenwich: Now therefore, I, the said William Hobson, do hereby declare and proclaim that I did, on the 14th day of January page 23 instant, before His Excellency Sir George Gipps, Knight, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over the territory of New South Wales and its dependencies, and the Executive Council thereof, take the accustomed oaths of office as Lieutenant-Governor aforesaid. And I do hereby farther proclaim and declare, that I have this day opened and published the two commissions aforesaid, that is to say, the commission under the Great Seal extending the boundaries of the Government of New South Wales, and the commission under the Royal Sign-manual appointing me Lieutenants-Governor as aforesaid. And I do hereby further proclaim and declare, that I have this day entered on the duties of my said office as Lieutenant-Governor as aforesaid, and I do call upon all Her Majesty's subjects to be aiding and assisting me in the execution thereof.

Given under my hand and seal, at Kororareka, this 30th day of January, 1840, and in the third year of Her Majesty's reign.