Shand, Alexander, 1840-1910: Maori letter book relating to the Chatham Islands

Handwritten letter book mostly in Te Reo Maori relating to land, people and farming on the Chatham Islands. Some of the correspondence relates to boundaries and owners of the Wharekauri Block and Waiteki [Waitangi]. Some of the correspondents include Toenga Te Poki (Te Ati Awa), Te Hana (Maori for Shand), Wiremu Kingi, and Kawana Kerei (Governor Grey). There are handwritten notes and annotations at the front and the back of the book.

The letters are written in a ledger book. There are 28 pages of content in the front of the book, and 9 pages towards the back. There are two typed translations of two of the letters, both addressed to Governor Grey. One of these is by Toenga Te Poki, and was written from Waiteki [Waitangi], on the 5th April 1867. It names boundaries for land and includes a list of names. The other translated letter is also by Toenga Te Poki, written on 6th April 1867, from Waitangi which discusses land boundaries beginning at Motara.

Language - Mostly in Te Reo Maori, with some Moriori words

Language - Some notes and documents in English

Source of title - Supplied by Library. Creator's name supplied by donor.

Arrangement: Typed translations of two letters were tipped in towards the back of the volume. These are now in acid free paper in the front of the volume. They relate to letters which appear after the 'Y-Z' page of the letter book, dated 5 Aperira/5th April 1867, and 6 Aperira/6th April 1867 (both written at Waiteki/Waitangi).

Contextual notes tipped into the book and some annotations give some historical information including: "Henry Daymond. Diary of Toenga Te Poki. Containing copy of letter to the Govr Sir G Grey setting out the boundaries and owners of the Wharekauri Block, Chatham Islands. Papers of Henry Daymond, Chatham Islands c/- Morison, Spratt, Morison & Taylor. Solicitors. Wellington. Handed to us in conclusion with proposed further action re: interest of J & W Daymond in Wharekauri Block as affected by claim of descendants of Wi Te Tahuhu". Wi Tahuhu died in Oct 1897. Husband of Whakamae. See court case (Star, 1 Aug 1902, p4). Other notes say "This diary was being thrown out of a solicitor's office (Morison & Taylor Co.) as scrap on a shift was retrieved by me for personal reasons. Ralph Love (16/8/62)" and "To John Langdale. A Pitt Island Lang. at Whenua. Kia ora. Ralph Love. Aug 1972".

Quantity: 1 volume(s). 0.03 Linear Metres.

Physical Description: Leather bound album, 32.5cm x 22.5 cm

Provenance: Owned by Henry Daymond who handed it to Morison, Spratt, Morison & Taylor (Solicitors of Wellington) during a court case. Ralph Love (of Te Ati Awa descent) claimed it from Morison & Taylor Co when it was nearly disposed of during a shift in 1962. Love then passed it on to John Langdale in 1972.

Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Richard Langdale, Lower Hutt, 2014.