February 10th, 1873, Armed Constabulary Depot, Mount Cook, 0600 hours.

The sun was rising across Lambton Harbour, peeking over the distant shadowed hills of Wainuiomata. As Wellingtonians awoke, they were greeted not only by the sun's early rays, but also by the symphony of birdcalls: the expressively vocal Tui, the clear pure tones of the Korimako and the not so romantic cries of scavenging seagulls. Other birds joined in chorus, each kind with its own distinct ...