Head Office – Wellington
- Inspector of Stores – Edward Gorton
- Clerk – George Simpson Lockie
Wellington Defence Stores -Mount Cook Depot, Buckle Street
- Storekeeper – Henry Elmhirst Reader
- Clerk – Alexander Crowe
- Armourer Edward Metcalf Smith
- Armourer – Edwin Henry Bradford
- Arms Cleaners
- William Warren
- John Shaw
- James Smith
- Walter Christie
- Magazine Keeper – William Corliss
Auckland Defence Stores – Albert Barracks
- StoreKeeper – William St Clair Tisdall
- Clerk – John Blomfield
- Clerk – John Price
- Armourer – George Evitt
- Arms Cleaners
- Thomas Gibbins
- Charles Phillips
- William Cook Rockley
- John Penligen
- Magazine Keeper – John Broughton
District Sub Storekeepers
District Sub Storekeepers at:[1]
- Hamilton
- Tauranga
- Opotiki
- Te Wairoa (Rotorua)
- Tauranga
- Napier
- Marton
- Wanganui
- Patea
- New Plymouth
- Blenheim
- Nelson
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Dunedin
- Invercargill
Defence Stores Stock Holdings
As of 17 August 1870, Small Arms, Ordnance and Ammunition in military use in New Zealand consisted of:[2]
In Store
Small Arms
- Snider (All Patterns) 2293
- Medium Hay Pattern 7726
- Enfield Pattern 1853 1460
- Rifle Breech Calisher & Terry 26
- Rifle Sword Short Enfield Pattern 1853 33
- Rifle Spencer 4
- Rifle Mont Storm 5
- Percussion Muskets Pattern 1839 222
- Carbine Breech Calisher & Terry 284
- Carbine Muzzle Enfield Artillery Carbine 67
- Carbine Revolver Colt 4
- Carbine Percussion Various Types 12
- Revolvers, Various types 215
- Swords Cavalry 153
Ordnance
- RBL 40 Pounder 2
- RBL 6 Pounder 2
- 24 Pounder Howitzer 3
- 42/5 inch Mortars 11
- 6 Pounder Carronade 1
- 3 Pounder Smooth Bore 1
Small Arms Ammunition
- Snider 470228
- Enfield 1804983
- BL Carbine 251324
- Revolver 287148
- Precussion Muisket 160152
Ordnance
- Cartridge 14145
- Shot/Shell 22806
On Issue
Small Arms
- Snider (All Patterns) 208
- Medium Hay Pattern 9263
- Enfields Pattern 1853 6473
- Rifle Breech Calisher & Terry 7
- Rifle Sword Short Enfield Pattern 1853 224
- Rifle Spencer 4
- Percussion Muskets Pattern 1839 1007
- Carbine Breech 1271
- Carbine Muzzle Enfield Artillery Carbine 218
- Carbine Revolver Colt 2
- Carbine Percussion Various Types 267
- Revolvers, Various types 934
- Swords Cavalry 903
Ordnance
- RBL 12 Pounder 6
- RBL 6 Pounder 4
- 6 Pounder Brass Gun 1
- 24 Pounder Howitzer 7
- 32 Pounder Iron Guns 3
- 24 Pounder Iron Guns 8
- 12 Pounder Iron Guns 5
By August 17, 1870, the inventory of Camp Equipment, Implements, and Saddlery utilised by the New Zealand Military comprised the following items:
In Store
- Tents, Circular 326
- Tents, Indian 30
- Tents, F.O Marquee 13
- Waterproof Sheets 523
- Blankets 647
- Axe Felling 166
- Axe Pick 1036
- Hook Fern 115
- Hook Bill 91
- Spade 1298
- Shovel 1214
- Wheel Barrow 413
- Mattocks 111
- Cross Cut Saw 41
- Saddle Riding 285
- Bridles 262
- Pack Saddles 101
On Issue
- Tents, Circular 130
- Tents, Indian 14
- Waterproof Sheets 58
- Blankets 275
- Axe Felling 235
- Axe Pick 239
- Hook Fern 90
- Hook Bill 35
- Spade 400
- Shovel 291
- Wheel Barrow 85
- Mattocks 18
- Cross Cut Saw 14
- Saddle Riding 48
- Bridles 48
- Pack Saddles 47[3]
Inspections
While not a comprehensive compilation, Gorton, in his role as Inspector of Stores, carried out inspections during the specified period at the following locations:
- July 1870, Auckland
- August 1870, Wanganui and Napier
- December 1870, Wanganui and Auckland
- April 1871, Christchurch
- May 1871, Dunedin
- June 1871, Auckland, Tauranga, Thames
Mount Albert Powder Magazine
In February of 1871, newspapers carried reports about a rumour circulating regarding the arrest of an individual suspected of attempting to ignite the powder magazine at Albert Barracks. These allegations’ accuracy remained uncertain, spurring a call to implement strict measures to safeguard the magazine from potential incidents. Interestingly, changes had occurred after the British Garrison’s departure; formerly, not even a lit pipe or cigar would have been permitted past the vigilant sentry at the gates. However, the entry regulations had since been relaxed, even allowing for firing rockets within the Barrack-square on multiple occasions. This alteration raised concerns about the decline in vigilance.[4]
Adding to the discomfort was the realisation that the amount of powder stored within the Albert Barrack magazine exceeded the quantity recorded in official documents. The concern stemmed from the potential for an explosion capable of causing catastrophic damage to Auckland, resulting in the loss of numerous lives across a wide area. Given the magazine’s central location within a densely populated city, urgent appeals were directed towards the authorities, urging them to exercise the utmost caution and explore the possibility of relocating the magazine to a safer site.. Satisfyin the demand of the local population, an announcement was made in March that the Powder Magazine was to be transferred from Albert Barrack to Mount Eden.[5] In May of 1871, the process of soliciting bids for the construction of a powder magazine at Mount Eden was initiated.[6]
Rifle Sights
After a thorough inspection of a batch of rifles by the armourers revealed unauthorised modifications to the sights, Gorton issued a directive in November 1870. This directive brought attention to the fact that specific rifles had been subject to unauthorised alterations to their back sights. Gorton’s instruction explicitly stated that any rifles found to have been altered should be immediately returned to the stores. Additionally, he warned that volunteers using the modified rifles during Government prize competitions would be disqualified.
Iron Sand Experiments
Armorurer and Artificer Edward Metcalf Smith had amassed several years of experience in the iron industry before commencing a gunsmith apprenticeship at the Royal Small Arms factories in London and Enfield, followed by a tenure at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. Arriving in New Zealand in 1861 as the Garrison Armorer, he progressed to the role of armourer for the Taranaki Militia and Taranaki Rifle Volunteers in 1864. While in Taranaki, he developed a keen interest in establishing a viable iron industry using Taranaki iron sands.[7]
By 1871, Smith had relocated to Wellington, assuming the position of Defence Armourer. Leveraging the resources of the Armourers shop, he persisted in refining his iron sand smelting process through experimentation and innovation.[8]
Notes
[1] District Sub Storekeepers roles encompassed dual responsibilities. These holders often held other functions, such as Militia Drill Instructors or Sub Storekeepers for the Public Works Department. In certain instances, Armed Constabulary Sub-Storekeepers also undertook the role of District Sub Storekeepers.
[2] Inspector of Stores Edward Gorton, Reporting on system of Store Accounts and with returns of Arms Ordnance Ammunition ans various Stores, Archives New Zealand Item ID R24174887, (Wellington: New Zealand Archives, 17 August, 1870).
[3] Edward Gorton, Reporting on system of Store Accounts and with returns of Arms Ordnance Ammunition ans various Stores.
[4] “The Power magazine “, New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2196 (Auckland), 8 February 1871, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18710208.2.11.
[5] “Local Epitome,” New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 22i8 (Auckland), 6 March 1871, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18710306.2.5.
[6] “The Power magazine “, New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2278 (Auckland), 15 May 1871, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18710515.2.14.
[7] “Edward Metcalf Smith,” NZETC.victoria.ac.nz. , 1993, accessed 9 April, 2023, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2s31/smith-edward-metcalf.
[8] “Experiments with Iron Sand,” Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4901, 27 May 1871, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DSC18710527.2.19.
