[Meade, Herbert (Lieutenant)], 1842-1868 :Pai Marire karakia, held by the Te Hau fanatics at Tataroa, New Zealand, to determine the fate of their prisoners. Jan[uar]y 27th, 1865.

Shows a group of Maori circling around a flagpole which flies three native flags (including a red flag representing the war god Riki). At the right two guards stand beside the seated and bound figures of Herbert Meade and his guide Hemipo, and there is a campfire in the right background. The whole is in a clearing circled by eight Maori dwellings, and there are trees and bush in the background. The participants who circle the flagpole, are waving long sticks above their heads.

The top flag on the pole is a long red triangular pennant with a red cross on it. The bottom one is also a red tringular pennant, but the white cross on it is diagonal. The centre flag is black on the left half and blue on the right, and there is a white cross (Christian?) in the left half.

Relates to the incident recounted by Herbert Meade in his "A ride through the disturbed districts of New Zealand ..." (London, 1870), pages 121 - 134, with illustration on page 128 very similar to this painting. The 23-year-old Meade and his guide Hemipo were captured by Hau Hau, and their fate decided at a karakia and runanga. In this Meade was lucky to be protected by a woman named Ahumai, who had survived the British bayonets at Orakau and was already known to Meade.

Backing board with handwritten title, stored in accompanying folder.

Other Titles - No 1 Hauhau

Inscriptions: Backing board recto - top centre - [Title]. The title is written on both the card backing and the wooden backing. The inscription on the wooden backing appears older, and perhaps by the artist (who however died very young).

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour, on sheet 188 x 388 mm.

Provenance: Previously owned by Maurice Norton, an Auckland lawyer. He acquired the drawing from his wife's cousin, a New Zealand dealer working in London. (Information from Maurice Norton, visited Library 18 Sept 2006). Sold by a private Auckland vendor, after acquisition from a London dealer.