Just found an even earlier reference to Captain Austen in January 1853.
"The Bremen whaling ship "Republik," Capt. Austen arrived in harbour from the Fishing ground, on Saturday afternoon, having sailed from Honolulu on the 20th Nov. The Republik is a very fine ship of 500 tons register, built at New York ;— from which port, under her original appellation of "Phillip The First," she ran for some time as an English packet ship."
And there was this notice in the "Daily Southern Cross" newspaper:
SHIP REPUBLIK
CAPTAIN AUSTEN will not be responsible for any debts contracted by the Crew of the above vessel. Bain & ßurtt Agents:
And Captain Austen and the Republic took part in the Auckalnd Regatta in commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the colony on Saturday 29th January 1853.
The Captain of the Republik was not John Austen but a Captain S. Austen.
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