[Williams, Edward Arthur] 1824-1898 :Alexandra - Waikato military camp, Maori War 1863-64. [1864 or 1865].

Shows camp in a flat basin, with horse exercise yard and flagpole in left foreground, and other square fenced yards further off. In the middle distance are the main barracks, and scattered buildings of a small town behind. The Waipa River may be visible at left before it flows behind central rise separating the foreground from the background. Pirongia Mountain may be the hill at right, although Pirongia Mountain is twin-coned.

Artist attributed on grounds of style. The work was attributed to Williams prior to its acquisition. It is also stylistically similar to the work of Henry James Warre; however Warre is not known to have been in Pirongia. He was based in Taranaki.

Alexandra is the old name for Pirongia.

Members of the 2nd Waikato Regiment built a strong redoubt on a hill at the west side of the town, in about 1864. The long low building in the left background is the Alexandra West Redoubt, while the set of buildings on a low hill in the centre background is the Alexandra East Redoubt.

Other Titles - Alexandra and Waikato military camp. Redoubt. Warre

Inscriptions: Unsigned and undated.; Verso - centre - [Title]

The Library has a black and white copy of the painting at A-113-002, showing it before it was as faded as it now is and while it was in the possession of Mr Lennard. The copy may have been made in the 1960s. The title at the time was given as Alexandra (now Pirongia) ca 1870.

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour, 180 x 480 mm.

Provenance: Previously sold at Webb's auction, Auckland, March 1981. The Library has coloured photographs from this period showing the watercolour as quite faded. An earlier owner was Mr L. M. Lennard of Auckland.

Alternative form available: Photocopy of this work at A-113-002.