Dent family connections
The 375 ton barque the "Novelty" was built in 1862 in the shipyard of Henry Niccol (b.1819 Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland), the son of a shipbuilder from Clyde, who married Sarah McLarty in 1840 arrived in New Zealand aboard the "Jane Gifford" in October 1842. Henry and family were quickly established in shipbuilding, opening their first shipyard at Waiheke Island within a year of arrival in New Zealand. The yard was soon moved to a site in Auckland and, later, to Devonport.
The Novelty left Sydney, 25 February 1864, with eleven men of the 4th Waikato regiment and their families.
Report in The Southern Daily Cross, 7 March 1864.
"The number of settlers brought by the 'Alice Cameron' is 177, including men, women, and children. A further reinforcement of about 100 men were to follow in the 'Novelty' which vessel was expected to sail on the 27th, and may therefore be looked for hourly. Captain Steel, who is in command of the volunteers, is also expected by that vessel."