New Zealand & Maori Wars , c.1863-72 Album Up For Auction Tue, 04 Mar 2008
Further information relating to Lot 31 in the 19 March Important, Early & Rare Auction. This unique and early photographic album offers a rare insight into the lives of important European and Maori historical figures during a particularly tumultuous period of New Zealand history. Twenty eight images of military officers, including Captain Wilson of the 50th Regiment, Captain Jackson a Forest Ranger, and friend of Von Tempsky, Captain Messenger who battled at Puketakauere and Captain Ross, saved in battle by Von Tempsky. Regiments represented include the 40th with Colonel Blyth, 65th with Lieutenant H S Bates, 88th and the 103rd and an album photo of the 18th Royal Irish Guards. In addition to these, there are a number of photos of their associates, including New Zealand sea captains, Brind and Stokes. Dr Heath and Officer/Surgeon(?) G W Peake, are also portrayed along with the first Bishop of New Zealand, Bishop Selwyn and Sir George Grey.
There are 18 photos relating to Maori life, 9 of which feature Chiefs. Namely, Chief Wiremu Te Whareiro of the Ngati Pukenga tribe, who in 1877 petitioned for the return of their Tauranga land, Chief Aini Kukutai of Ngati Tipa, a great chief of the lower Waikato and a signatory of the Treaty of Waitangj, Chief William Thompson founder of the King movement known as the greatest man in the Waikato. Others include Chief Mohi Te Ngu of Auckland, Chief Moses of Whangaruru along with a photo of a wounded Maori warrior leaning on a musket and a Chief showing off his armoury.
A rare image of the Maori Kings Marae, Ngaruawahia, considered at the time to be the Maori capital, is represented in a well executed carte de visite sized watercolour. Due to the tapu nature of this property photography was forbidden. Some rare location photos feature. One such unique image is of a Marae located in the middle of a military camp. Another is of the Orestes, sister ship to the tragic Orpheus lost in 1863 off the Manukau Heads. The sinking of the Orpheus was a crucial blow to New Zealand's war effort. It is assumed that at the time no image of the Orpheus was available. This explains the album inclusion of the identical Orestes. The photo was published in Melbourne. Other images include The Tomb of James Tarrant Ring who was killed in action at Orakau in 1864, an historic view of Freemans Bay looking across the Waitemata towards North Head. Endearing photos of officers wive's, children, pets and associates feature throughout the album.
The important, early and rare entry warrants further research.
