Villa Vailima (Samoa)

Date: [Circa 1880s, and 1920s]

By: Tattersall, Alfred James, 1866-1951; Summers, John Arthur Campbell, 1916-1993

Reference: PA1-o-484

Description: Album of photographs, postcards and newspaper cuttings relating to Samoa and Tonga, circa 1920s. Many of the photographs, and some of the newspaper cuttings have limited captions, or no identification at all. At the beginning of the album there is a signed Christmas card from George Spafford Richardson, with a photograph of him and another European standing in front of a fale with a large group of Samoan men. One image of Robert Louis Stevenson ([p 2]), is signed by him, and another one shows the tomb of Stevenson and his wife Frances Matilda (Aolele). There are a number of views of Vailima, Stevenson's home, one early view showing Stevenson on the verandah with a group of women and another man standing above looking over the balustrade. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album covered with tapa cloth, tan corners and spine; 23.5 x 33 .0 cm

Date: Early 1900s

From: AFCM :Six albums containing newspaper and magazine clippings, and some original photographs

Reference: PA1-f-126

Description: Album of newspaper & magazine cuttings, maps, and black & white photographs, with the title "Outer New Zealand". Includes information on various islands, including Auckland Islands, Kermadecs, Cook Islands, Niue, Rarotonga, Western Samoa, Makogai Island Leper Station, and areas of the Antarctic. On page 6, there are 2 photographs of Cook Islanders wearing traditional clothing, one group from Mangaia, and one group from Aitutaki. There are sections giving detailed information and illustrations showing various agricultural activities, including the growing of bananas, copra, breadfruit, rubber, taro, kava plants, cacao, coffee and cotton; and on page 21 are 3 images showing the construction of a fale (Samoan dwelling). One section (pages 24-25) has information and images of Robert Louis Stevenson, his wife, his house "Vailima" and his tomb. There are several pages of coloured illustrations of different breeds of Samoan fish (p 46-50). Page 27 shows a group of Faipule (members of the Samoan Native Council) who visited Wellington in May 1925.

Date: [between 1890 and 1894]

From: Lands and Survey Department: Photographs taken by Alfred James Tattersall relating to Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa

Reference: 1/2-002525-F

Description: Robert Louis Stevenson (back row, 4th from left) with family, and servants, at the house "Vailima", at Vailima, Samoa. Taken between 1890-1894. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film copy negative

Date: [Between 1905 and 1936]

From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa

By: Tattersall, Alfred James, 1866-1951; Crown Studios (Auckland, N.Z.)

Reference: PA1-o-445

Description: Photographs of Samoa taken between 1905 and 1936, some taken by Samoan photographer Alfred James Tattersall, many by unidentified photographers. One photograph is not related to the rest, showing two young women flautists from Highcliff School, Dunedin, winners of a Dunedin competition in 1918 (P 90) The earliest ones, taken in 1905, show the damage caused by a volcanic eruption, and show lava pouring into the sea. The rest of the images are related to Donald Alexander John Rutherford, headmaster at Ifi Ifi School (Leififi School) from 1919, becoming Superintendent of Schools from 1923 to 1936. There are many scenes which include his family, with his wife and four children (including Alexander Mathieson Rutherford). Many of the scenes show school activities, including the ceremonies surrounding the opening of the new school at Avele; the schools at Malifa, at Ifi Ifi, Poutasi, Aleipata and other districts; sports teams; school parades, including boy scouts linked with the schools; and groups of teachers, both European and Samoan. General views of Samoa include the construction of a fale, the interior of a fale; fishing; cocoa beans and their harvesting and drying; copra industry, with Solomon Island workers; and sowing cotton seed. Several images show the celebrations for George V's birthday; school breakup feasts; and the farewell flotilla of canoes when the Rutherford family left Samoa in 1936. Social activities of the Europeans in Samoa include tennis, large groups of bowlers, and garden parties at Vailima, the Governor's residence. Inscriptions: Album page - "The Rutherford Family, November 30th 1936 ... Sae-Tupe" Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with cover bound in tapa cloth, light brown cloth spine; 25 x 30 cm

Date: ca1923-ca1927

From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa

Reference: PA1-o-446

Description: Photographs of Samoa taken during the 1920s by unidentified photographers. Images include scenes of Samoan ceremonies, including the presentation of Fine Mats at Mulinu'u; an investiture; Anzac Day, placing wreaths on the graves of soldiers who died in samoa; scenes of the Faipule (this image with the inscription "Faipule. Samoan Parliament"); ceremonial welcoming canoes; Sir Charles Fergusson, and General George Spafford Richardson; and scenes at various schools, including group portraits of pupils and staff, and sporting teams. Another sequence shows the damage which occurred during a hurricane in 1925, including the grounding of the ship Lady Roberts, and destruction of plantations and buildings. Two photographs have an additional historical note: On page 72: "Visit to native village. `Historical photo. This indicates the rising of the organisation of the "Mau". General Richardson visits the biggest villages. Note the poor attendance and the disturbed countenance of the Chief'. General Richardson and party listening to the orator's speech" and, on page 77 "Visit of General Richardson to the village of Lufi Lufi (Note the poor attendance. General Richardson's disappointment)". Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with cover bound in tapa cloth, dark green cloth spine; 26 x 31 cm

Date: Between 1923 and 1930

From: Moore, Robert Percy, 1881-1948 :Panoramic photographs of New Zealand

Reference: Pan-2082-F

Description: Two small panoramic negatives. Taken by Robert Percy Moore in Samoa (A) A large number of girls and yound women are seated in groups on the ground in front of a large two-storeyed building with verandahs on both floors. Several other buildings with rolled-up blinds are on the right. Two cars are parked near the house and a group of about eight men and women are looking on. (B) View of the waterfront at Apia with a road along the waterfront on the right and the wreck of the German ship Adler on the far left. Looking through a row of trees to several buildings in front of a long line of palms on the far side of the harbour. One of a set originally labelled P76 to P82. This one P82. They all appeared to be part of a sequence of R P Moore panoramic negatives which fit between Pan-2075 and Pan-2083. Identified as Moore's from others taken in in similar locations or with marginal notes in his script. Quantity: 2 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Panoramic negatives 23.6 x 48.1 cm (A); 18.2 x 55.2 cm (B)

Date: 1977

From: Hancock, Kathleen Montagu, 1915-2004: Collection

Reference: PAColl-10670-131

Description: Colour and black and white photographic prints relating to Samoa, dated 1977. Also includes images of Sir Robert and Lady Rex at Niue Island being knighted by Governor General of New Zealand, Sir David Beattie; and Indian cane cutters harvesting sugar cane in Lautoka, Fiji. Some prints have caption information inscribed verso. Also includes photograph of 'Vailima' the former house of Robert Louis Stevenson near Apia. Title transcribed from original enclosure. Quantity: 18 b&w original photographic print(s). 4 colour original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Colour and black and white photographic prints. Transfers: Negatives originally enclosed with this group of prints at Library reference 35mm-109845 to 35mm-109853.. Processing information: Negatives were separated from prints and rehoused for reasons of preservation and storage.

Date: [Circa 1912]

From: Duncan, Miriam Darwin, 1893-1981 :Photographs relating to life and work of Dr James Malcolm Mason

Reference: PA1-q-066

Description: Photographs taken during a trip to Pacific Islands, including Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands and Niue. Views of daily life in the various places; views of the European group as they travel by ship, and scenes of activities arranged for them. Most of the people photographed are unidentified. Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Grey album with black spine and corners, 30 x 23 cm

Date: [1920s]

From: Rutherford, Alexander Mathieson, 1915-1998 :Photographs of Samoa

By: Armstrong, Charles Clark, -1946

Reference: PA1-o-447

Description: Photographs of Samoa, taken by unidentified photographers, most with no description. Identification for many of them from comparison with Rutherford albums 1 & 2 (PA1-o-445, PA1-o-446). One photograph, taken circa 1890s, taken in Dunedin by Armstrong Photographers, shows the Riddell family with Bessie and James Mathieson (grandparents of Donald Alexander John Rutherford?) Samoan scenes include damage caused by a hurricane in 1925; celebrations for Lord and Lady Bledisloe, with General Herbert Hart and his wife, and George Frederick Hufnagel-Betham. Schools shown include the London Missionary Society Boys' High School at Malua, Ifi Ifi School, Vaipouli School, the Apia Technical School, Avele School and Malifa School. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with cover bound in tapa cloth, light brown cloth spine; 25 x 30 cm

Date: 1921

From: Tate, Robert Ward, 1864-1933 :Photographs of Samoa

By: Tate, Robert Ward, 1864-1938

Reference: PA1-o-489

Description: Snapshots of Samoa, taken by an unidentified photographer. Minimal information in captions, with people named with only Christian names or surnames. There are several views of Villa Vailima, the home of Robert Louis Stevenson Some images show places like Rutherford's Fall, and Stevenson's Pool; also one of a group of men and women in "The Birdcage". Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Softbound with light brownish grey cover, entitled "Photo Snaps"; 15.5 x 18.0 cm

Date: 1895-1955

From: Connell, Marjorie Bertha, 1907-1995 : Seed family papers

Reference: Series-4188

Description: Letters written by Austin Strong to his friend Arthur Seed; letters to her son Austin from his mother Isobel (Teuila), while he was staying in Wellington with the Seed family and attending Wellington College, and to Arthur Seed and his mother, written from Vailima, Samoa, and later from California. Diary kept by Austin in 1897, and a short illustrated story. Papers relating to The Firm (which published `The Idle Talkative'), produced by Austin Strong, Arthur Seed and C E Kember, ca 1896-1897. Sketch books and loose sketches done by Austin have been transferred to Drawings and Prints Section. Photographs of Austin and Isobel have been transferred to Photographic Archive. Letters from Teuila to Arthur Seed (1895-1901, 1950) are in Series 2 (Folder 65)

Date: 1919

From: Tate, Robert Ward, 1864-1933 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-0264-38

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s) (2 pieces). Physical Description: Photocopy of typescript

Date: 1919

From: Tate, Robert Ward, 1864-1933 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-0264-37

Description: `Vailima' - a book consisting of the typescript and photographs bound in tapa cloth about Robert Louis Stephenson's home, compiled by R W Tate Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1923

From: Moore, Robert Percy, 1881-1948 :Panoramic photographs of New Zealand

Reference: Pan-2425-F

Description: Panoramic view Taken by Robert Percy Moore across an expansive lawn with a driveway leading from right to the large two-storeyed wooden Villa Vailima near Apia, Samoa. Central part with wings on either side, all with verandahs on both floors. Union Jack flying from a flagpole in the centre of the verandah upstairs. Two women are sitting on a garden seat at the foot of a tall tree centre left. Car parked outside the building on the right. Three men walking towards the camera on the right. Bush-clad hill on the far right, and trees and gardens on the far left. Tall palm tree near the building in the centre right of the image. The photograph was published in the 'Auckland Weekly News' on 28 June 1923 p.43. and credited as "New Zealand Government Publicity photo". Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Panoramic negatives 24.7 x 95.8 cm Processing information: Record updated 7 July 2023 with date and publication information supplied by a researcher.

Date: [ca 1890]

From: Lands and Survey Department: Photographs taken by Alfred James Tattersall relating to Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa

By: Andrew, Thomas, 1855-1939

Reference: 1/2-002519-F

Description: "Vailima", the home of Robert Louis Stevenson at Vailima, Samoa, circa 1890. Photograph taken by Thomas Andrew. Inscriptions: Photographer's title on negative - bottom right - "Vailima" - Andrew - Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film copy negative

Date: 1924

From: Tate, Robert Ward, 1864-1933 :Photographs of Samoa

By: Tattersall, Alfred James, 1866-1951

Reference: PAColl-0085-017

Description: General George Spafford Richardson, New Zealand Resident Commissioner for Western Samoa and H J Moors standing on the steps of Vailima, the official government residence. Photographed on the 26th of September, 1924, by Alfred James Tattersall. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: ca 1919-1923

From: Original photographic prints and postcards from file print collection, Box 15

By: Tattersall, Alfred James, 1866-1951

Reference: PAColl-7081-41

Description: Residence of the New Zealand administrator of Samoa, Robert Ward Tate, at Vailima, photographed by Alfred James Tattersall circa 1919-1923. This dwelling was formerly known as 'Vailima', and was the home of Robert Louis Stevenson. Inscriptions: Photographer's title on negative - bottom centre - Governor's Residence Vailima Samoa A T Photo Apia 8; Verso - This is where Colonel Tate, the Administrator lives. It is about three miles out of Apia. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 8.5 x 13.5 cm (postcard)

Date: 1951

From: Powles family : Papers

Reference: PA1-o-824-02

Description: Villa Vailema and its grounds, residence of the New Zealand administrator, Vailema Village, Samoa. Photographed by an unknown photographer in 1951. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 19.8 x 16.5 cm

Date: ca1956

From: Powles family : Papers

Reference: PA1-o-821

Description: Record of Sir Guy Powles New Zealand High Commissioner Western Samoa Also landscape, public works, and state ceremonials in Western Samoa Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).

Date: 1954

From: Powles family : Papers

Reference: PAColl-5268-2-2-28

Description: Samoan house staff at Villa Vailima, Vailima Village, Samoa, photographed by an unknown photographer in 1954. Inscriptions: Verso - (1) Arriving at the President's Palace (built for Viceroy's). Car is Government Cadillac used by Eisenhower & Kruschev. Troop of horse preceeded us as well as followed. In the 1950s Villa Vailima was the residence of the New Zealand Adminsitrator of Samoa. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 22.1 x 12 cm