Oxley & Lane of Nelson

Mr Oxley, a Professor of Photography from London, established a Photographic Gallery at Collins's Field, the Wood, Nelson in November 1858. In early 1859 a "Royal Photographic Gallery" opposite the Bank, Trafalgar-street, Nelson was operated by Messrs Oxley and Lane, from London and Cheltenham. By March 1859 they exhibited portraits of both ladies and gentlemen, including many Nelson celebrities. They took Portraits for Lockets, Brooches, and Views of Residences taken by the far-famed lenses of Ross and Voightlander. Wet or cloudy weather no impediment.

Colonist 20 Sep 1861 Photography

One of the most interesting photographs lately, in connexion with New Zealand, is now to be procured, on paper, at Mr Oxley’s, Trafalgar-street. The subject is a group of Maoris, four men and two women, most of whom are in the native dress, with weapons, ornaments &c., such as all wore before Europeans taught them to exchange the toilsomely wrought Maori mat for the blanket and cotton roundabout, their simple and regular mode of living for the alternating luxury and want common to them at the present time. The group chosen for this picture was connected with a case tried at the last sitting of the Supreme Court, Nelson, where Arapata, the centre figure sitting at a table, was indicted for killing another Maori named Manahi, at Motueka, and for which a nominal sentence was inflicted. The other male figures were witnesses in the case, and the one over against Mr Jenkins, the Interpreter, who is seated at the left of the picture, is a good specimen of the well-made head and noble physiognomy of the native race so frequently met with. The picture is altogether curious and interesting, and would form a most suitable present for English friends, who have lately read too much about, although otherwise than by the aid of the truthful photograph, can form but little idea of, the race that perhaps for a time only will share with the white man the land of our adoption.

Witnesses called during the Supreme Court trial: John D. Greenwood, magistrate residing at Motueka; Joseph Foorde Wilson, surgeon residing at Motueka; Rei Nganiho, Elizabeth Inwood, resident of Motueka; Hori te Ngai and Matiu