The first newspaper in New Zealand was New Zealand Gazette, which ironically was first published in London in 1839. By 1840, the printer had arrived in Wellington and the newspaper was published there. Gough and Goff entries appear in the earliest newspapers in New Zealand, a sampling of which follows:
Daily Southern Cross, 30 November 1844:
Published in Auckland, a regular feature was the “Shipping List.” Departures included “November 26. Government brig ‘Victoria,’ . . . . Passengers, – Goff, Esq., and Mr. Edward Shorthand.”
New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian, 28 December 1844
ARRIVALS: “December 24, ‘Victoria,’ Government brig, Richards, Master, from Auckland. Passengers, Messrs. Goff and Marshall.”
Lyttelton Times, 29 March 1851
Smith Howard “an experienced Grazier, having bought Gough’s Station, is prepared to take in Sheep at thirds; and hopes, by skilful [sic] attention to give satisfaction to those that may intrust their sheep to his care.”
Daily Southern Cross, 10 February 1857
This newspaper was published in Auckland. Jury List for 1857-8: “Gough Daniel, Albert street, brick layer”
Daily Southern Cross, 3 January 1860:
List of Unclaimed Letters for the Quarter ended 31st December 1859. . . . Goff, Charles.”
Press, 3 July 1863:
This newspaper was published in Christchurch. “Thomas Hayes was fined 20s. for drunkenness and disorderly conduct on Papanui Road. . . . He was also sentenced to one week’s imprisonment with hard labour, for assaulting Police Constable Goff in the execution of his duty.”
New Zealander, 10 September 1864
Newspaper was published in Auckland and his article describes court testimony of Alfred Goff related to two accused burglars he witnessed: “Alfred Goff, sworn, . . . said: I am a night-watchman, and my beat on the 11th of June included that part of Queen-street in which the Thistle Hotel is situate. About 2 o’clock in the morning, I was walking down Queen-street. . . . when I heard a noise like footsteps on fresh laid scoria. I crossed over, and fancied I saw two figures. The night was very stormy. . . . I walked down the passage, and discovered two men. I asked them ‘What they were at there.’ They made an excuse. I told them they had been some time at it, and had better move on. I stood there, and saw them go away.”