Places

Date: 1856 - 1866

By: Strutt, William, 1825-1915; Turnbull, Alexander Horsburgh, 1868-1918

Reference: G-637

Description: Bullock cart with Maori bringing canoe ashore. Background is a combination of the shoreline at Onehunga (Auckland) and south of New Plymouth (Taranaki), showing Paritutu volcanic peak and the off-shore Sugar Loaf Islands. Strutt described the group of Maori depicted as being at Onehunga, however. Extract from William Strutt's journal Part II, p. 210 (ed G. Mackaness): "before leaving Onehunga a pretty sight presented itself to us. The morning was lovely and the charming bay and beach were quite animated with a fleet of canoes, just arrived with all sorts of produce for the Auckland market. The picturesque canoes were beached to the lively song of the natives, their contents landed and the tribe gathered together to hear a short speech from a fine old chief, which done, the kits (native baskets) were shouldered, or strapped to the backs of the bearers, with the strong and handy slings, each generally as well carring a huge cum cum or pumpkin, while not a few drove fat pigs tied by one leg to the market." Strutt also labelled a photograph of this painting, many years later as "Maoris beaching their canoes and going off to market at Onehunga near Auckland". - information about photograph label from Heather Curnow, Strutt's biographer, see TL3/1/1 24 July 1974. Chief Librarian's office, 1st floor, National Library building, from June 2006 Other Titles - Maoris beaching their canoes and going off to market at Onehunga near Auckland 1856 Inscriptions: Recto - W. S. (artist's initials) A copy in Taranaki Museum bears the inscription: Puketapu fishing fleet. Quantity: 1 oil(s). Physical Description: Oil on canvas 410 x 830 mm Provenance: Collection of Alexander Turnbull?