Rae, Elsie Alice, 1911-2002: Western Hauraki Plains; its history

'History of the Western Hauraki Plains', compiled by Elsie Alice McDonald (later Mrs Rae), focusses on the geology, landscape, and social history of the Western Hauraki Plains in the Waikato Region.

McDonald's history has a preface and two parts: "Pt 1 The Maori" and "Pt 2 The Pakeha". In Part I subjects covered include pa sites and fortifications, burial sites and traditions, eeling, and conflict with other tribes, including Ngapuhi under Hongi Hika. Part II focusses on the development of the land for dairying and flax farming, the discovery of taonga during development, the building of houses, various personalities, and social events such as dances. Places specifically mentioned include: Kahurangi Pa, Torehape stream, Patetonga, and Mangawhero.

Illustrations attributed to Kenneth William Rae (later McDonald's husband). Includes pasted in photographs. See Illustrations field for further information.

Includes two commendations on the title page, one being from Duncan McFadyen Rae (principal of Auckland Training College and no relation) and the other from a person with the initials "F C L". Notes and remarks in pencil throughout the volume are in an unknown hand.

Source of title - Transcribed from item

Relationship complexity - Two spiral bound facsimiles of this item are held in the National Library's published collections: Wellington, New Zealand Pacific (PAM 993.327 MCD 2002) and Alexander Turnbull, New Zealand Pacific (P 993 MACD 2002).

Elsie Alice Rae grew up on a farm in Hauraki District before moving to Auckland to train as a teacher. She compiled 'History of the Western Hauraki Plains' when she was 17, during her first year at Auckland Teachers College.

Quantity: 1 volume(s). 0.01 Linear Metres.

Physical Description: Mss, watercolours, photographs

Illustrations are watercolours, unless otherwise specified, and all images are attributed to Kenneth William Rae. Photographs are taken circa 1920s. Illustration titles are as follows: 'Map of the Western Hauraki Plains' (including key); a stylised tiki; 'The disappearing stream, Torehape'; 'The Maori - Kahurangi' composite illustration of two images of Kahurangi pa captioned "conjecture" and "evidence", two pen drawings of carved wooden panels, and one photograph of the pa site captioned "truth"; 'The site of the Mission Station, Patetonga'; 'Patetonga's first house'; pen drawings 'The cream launch' and 'On the swamp land'; and two photographs 'The remains of the Patetonga Mill' and 'The hill above Mangawhero'.