Born in Sapapli'i, Savaii, Samoa as the son of Malietoa Moli and Fa'alaituio Fuatino Su'a in 1841. Succeeded to title of Malietoa in 1880 on the death of Malietoa Talavou that year. Malietoa Laupepa was one of the players in the civil wars and power struggles in Samoa during the last 30 years of the 19th century variously backed by Germany, Britain, and America. Married Sisavai'i Malupo, a daughter of Niuva'ai of Palauli, Savaii. The children of this marriage were two sons called Tanumafili and Siliva'ai, and a daughter Fa'amuleutoivao. Laupepa later married a Rarotongan woman named Tui Ariki [Fa'asisina] of a chiefly Cook Islands family.
Malietoa Laupepa, King of Samoa, 1841-1898
Seddon album 1
Date: 1897
By: Morice, Louisa Jane Spotswood, 1873-1957
Reference: PA1-f-069
Description: Photographs, chiefly taken by Louie J Seddon in 1897 on a trip around the world on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. They include several photographs on the group's return, especially one of Parliament Buildings, and five views of a reception for Mr Crow (R J Seddon's private secretary) by Ministerial Secretaries celebrating his return. Beneath the main inscription inside the first page is further information in Louie Seddon's copper-plate writing which reads "Our party consisted of my Father (the Right Hon. R J Seddon; Mother; Sister (Mary); Myself and Mr W Crow (Father's private secretary). We left Wellington, 15th April 1897, went via San Francisco - New York route to London - and returned by the overland (to Naples) and Suez Canal route, arriving Wellington, 8th Sept. 1897". En route to England a number of photographs show shipboard life, and several of the party in Samoa, one with Bishop and Mrs Wallis, and King Malietoa. In England there is one photograph cut from an English paper showing R J Seddon at Hawarden Castle with the Right Hon. Sir Wilford Laurier, Rt Hon and Lady Carrington, Rt Hon and Mrs W E Gladstone, Rt Hon G H Reid and Sir Louis Davies, July 1897. Also a sequence of views of the "Agent General's River Excursion on the Thames". The group visited various British Seddon family members at Eccleston and Bickerstaffe; and they visited Scottish writer and philosopher Thomas Carlyle's birthplace and grave. Photographs take up 32 pages with the rest blank apart from two newspaper cuttings attached to page 53. One is about Lady Freyberg at the Linen Guild (Evening Post, August 11, 1948?); the other about the ship Janie Seddon which was about to be sold (September 1946). On page 009 is a newspaper article on "King Dick" (Richard John Seddon), written in 1951 "By one who knew him" 45 years after his death. Inscriptions: Album page - "A memento of our trip around the world on the occasion of the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, 1897" Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with red cover, red leather corners and spine, entitled "Louie J Seddon, 1897" in gold lettering; 27.5 x 39.5 cm
Royal Navy/New Zealand/ Samoan War album :Photographs
Date: 1887-1891
Reference: PA1-q-610
Description: There are three main themes in this album. 1. The Royal Navy, Australian Squadron, based at Sydney. Pictures of naval cadets and war ships, some of which are in dry dock. The creator of the album, or a relative, seems to have been associated with HMS Orlando. Many photos of this ship appear in the album. The Orlando served as the flagship of the Australian Squadron from July 1888 to December 1897. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 11th Feb 1889 that HMS Orlando and Dart were docked in Calliope Dock, Auckland, because Sydney facilities could not undertake the work. There are a number of Photographs of HMS Orlando in dock at Auckland in this album. Thus the photos of officers and naval cadets may also have associations with the Orlando. There are also 3 photos of a gun accident which occurred on the HMS Cordelia of the Australian Squadron. This happened on the 26 June 1891 while the Cordelia was on a cruize from Fiji to Noumea. During Gun Practice a gun burst killing 6 ratings and wounding 13 others. The photos show the broken gun casing littering the deck. 2. Of the New Zealand section much of it concentrates on the town of Lawrence. Many of the captions and photographs relate to the Anglican parsonage at Lawrence. This suggests the possibility of the album belonging to the Vicar or a member of his family. If this were the case, and given the period of the late 1880s-early 1890s, it may be associated with the Rev George Pice Beaumont vicar and archdeacon from 1872 to 1900. On the other hand the name of Beaumont does not appear anywhere in the album. 3. Samoan civil wars of the late 1880s and the hurricane of 1889 Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).
Samoan postcards
Date: 1889-1918
From: Hunt, Alice Suisana, 1925- : Papers relating to Arthur Aris King and James Baxter Fleck
By: Andrew, Thomas, 1855-1939; Tattersall, Alfred James, 1866-1951
Reference: MS-Papers-12198-1
Description: Folder of 48 postcards from Samoa with images photographed by Alfred Tattersall and Thomas Andrew. The postcards were all reproduced in the publication compiled by Alice Hunt 'Greetings from Samoa: Early Twentieth Century Postcards and a tribute to Alfred Tattersall' (Palmerston North: Manuia Books, 2016). The photographic postcards document Samoa, including historic events such as the cyclone of 1889, the volcanic eruption of 1905, and some are dated 1910. During this period Samoa was under German administration and consequently many of the postcards feature captions in the German language. Other subject matter depicted includes: - Volcanic activity, including lava running into the sea - Shipping, including naval vessels and fishing canoes - Shipwrecks of American and German naval vessels following cyclone of 1889 - Landscapes and scenery, including waterfalls - The build environment, including traditional and colonial buildings - Individual and group portraits of people, ranging from copra workers and to the king of Samoa, Malietoa Laupepa. - Natural history and indigenous costumes and adornments Some of the postcards bear the imprint of the "Deutsche Samoa-Gesellschaft, Berlin-Apia" Also two postcards not directly related to Samoa, one portraying two female subjects related to Women's Auxiliary Army Corps, and one depicting "The Mosque of Omar, at Jerusalem". These two postcards with inscribed messages from circa 1918, at the time of the Influenza Epidemic, by Olive Blanche King to her sisters Florence King and Amelia Cora King, describing the experience of severe illness suffered by the writer and her family, including mother Susana Key and brothers Edward and George. The postcards are mostly blank and not postally used, while some have messages and postal markings. Quantity: 1 folder(s) 48 postcards. Physical Description: Postcards.
Cusack Smith album 1
Date: 1886 - 1891
From: Cusack-Smith, Thomas Berry (Sir), 1859-1929 :Photographs of Samoa
By: Bowker, H W, active 1880s; Cusack-Smith, Thomas Berry (Sir), 1859-1929; Cutchey, C C, active 1890s; Samuells, W L (Colonel), active 1890
Reference: PA1-o-543
Description: Photographs taken in the district around Loughton (Essex, England), including wedding scenes of the marriage of Thomas Berry Cusack Smith and Winifred (nee Maitland) in 1896, and later, scenes with their young daughter Maia Wilhemina Cusack Smith. The latter part of the album includes images of life and events in colonial Samoa during the time T B Cusack Smith was posted there as British consul, with views of the consulate, general views of Samoa, and portraits of several Samoan dignitaries. Several scenes show various performers at the British consulate in a farce by John Maddison Morton. As well, one photograph shows the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria at the Legislative Council Buildings in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) in July 1890. At the end of the album there are a number of images of Cambridge and Dresden, circa 1889. Many of the photographs were taken by Thomas Berry Cusack Smith, but some are identified as being taken by professional photographer C C Cutchey (Loughton), and by friends in Samoa, H W Bowker, and Colonel W L Samuells. Inscriptions: Album page - "Winifred Cusack-Smith. Easter 1889. The Shaws" Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Dark blue album, 25 x 29.5 cm
Photographs of Samoa and New Guinea
Date: [ca 1889-1900]
From: Crawford, R J, fl 1961 :Photographs of Samoa and New Guinea
By: Davis, John, -1893; Lawes, William George, 1839-1907
Reference: PAColl-4310-1
Description: Contains photographs relating to the work of the London Missionary Society in Samoa and British New Guinea (Papua New Guinea). Taken by unknown photographers and by John Davis of Samoa and Missionary Reverend William George Lawes of Port Moresby between 1889 and 1900. Several of the prints taken by Lawes are embossed with 'Henry King Photo Sydney'. Photographs of: Malietoa Laupepa, also captioned "this is the father of the Malietoa who died recently"; "Tamasese the rebel chief"; the exterior of the new Malua Jubilee Hall opened on December 8th and 9th 1897; interior of the hall showing the vaulted wooden ceiling; boats of the visitors to the island anchored in the bay on the occasion of the opening of the hall; Hari Mamus chief of Murray Island pictured with his wife and child; and two which form one image of the interior of a church on Murray Island full to capacity with islanders on the occasion of the raising of an additional contribution to the London Missionary Society (accompanying hand-written historical note). The ones of the Malua Jubliee Hall were taken by John Davis. Photographs of: Rev A E Hunt, Mrs Hunt and Rev E Pryce Jones on the verandah of Hunt's house in Port Moresby; Rev F W Walker on the verandah of his house with New Guinean men, women and children standing in the garden; Dr W G Lawes house in Valurata; and a view of shelters next to the sea at Tupuseleia. Also includes views of Mrs W.G. Lawes, Rev H.M. Dauncey, and Suan mission house, an ocean going canoe under full sail (Lakatoi), villages of Gaile, Veibure, Matabaila, and the English church at Port Moresby. Source of descriptive information - Photographer identified by Library client Relationship complexity - copies of several prints taken by Lawes are also held in an album compiled by Photographer Henry King (see 'New Guinea/Rev. Lawes' PXE720 in The Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales). One print is also held in an album compiled by King held at the School of Oriental and Asian Studies, University of London (CWM/LMS/PNG Photos, file 4). Circa 1890 Sydney Photographer Henry King acquired negatives taken by Rev W.G. Lawes of British New Guinea in order to make prints for display at the 1893 World Exposition in Chicago. Quantity: 43 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin photoprints mounted on card
Cusack Smith album 2
Date: Between 1889 and 1891
From: Cusack-Smith, Thomas Berry (Sir), 1859-1929 :Photographs of Samoa
By: Davis, John, -1893
Reference: PA1-o-544
Description: Images of life and events in colonial Samoa, in part taken by John Davis, and also by Thomas Berry Cusack Smith. Images include Samoan Siva dancers led by Leata Lepetimoni; the German warship HIGMS Alexandrine saluting King Malietoa in 1890; consecrating a memorial to German sailors on 4th January 1891; the wedding of Blanche Yandall to Alfred John Tattersall; portraits of Cusack Smith's wife Winifred and daughter Maia; and general scenes in Samoa. Album compiled by Sir Thomas Berry Cusack Smith while posted as British Consul to Samoa between 1890 and 1898. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Black covered album, 25 x 29.5 cm
Cusack Smith album 4
Date: 1886-1897
From: Cusack-Smith, Thomas Berry (Sir), 1859-1929 :Photographs of Samoa
By: Andrew, Thomas, 1855-1939
Reference: PA1-o-545
Description: Album of photographs relating to life in Samoa, particularly associated with the British Consulate, in part taken by Thomas Andrew, and in part probably taken by Thomas Berry Cusack Smith, creator of this collection. Images include portraits of British men and women linked with the consulate (some in fancy dress at dances, or in theatrical performances), one of William Churchill (United States Consul-General in Samoa). Also portraits of Samoans, including several of young Samoan women, King Malietoa, and members of the Vaiala Polo Team (and the British Consulate Polo Team). Two group portraits at the end of the album include Richard John Seddon, his wife Louisa and two daughters, King Malietoa, and the Bishop of Wellington, Frederick Wallis and his wife Margaret. Other Titles - British Consulate, Samoa Thomas Berry Cusack Smith was British Consul in Samoa in the late 1880s until 1898. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Richard John Seddon, and his party left Wellington on 15th April, 1897, on the the RMSS Alameda to attend the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Their first port of call was Apia, Samoa. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Black covered album with gold lettering "British Consulate, Samoa", 25 x 32 cm
Smith album 2
Date: ca1880s-1890s
From: Smith, Stephenson Percy, 1840-1922 :Maori and Polynesian photographs
By: Andrew, Thomas, 1855-1939; Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.); Davis, John, -1893; Burton, Alfred Henry, 1834?-1914; A & W (Firm)
Reference: PA1-q-223
Description: Compiled by S Percy Smith. Album includes 42 pages of photographs of Samoan scenery, towns, buildings, and portraits. Photographers represented include Burton Brothers, Thomas Andrew, J Davis, and A & W. As well as Samoa, this album includes photographs of men and one woman in the Solomon Islands; their ceremonial dress, weapons, and a house with an ornately woven patterned wall, and thatched roof. The last two photographs show men with weapons, wearing masks. Several photographs show images relating to Robert Louis Stevenson. One (on page 32) shows "R L Stevenson & party". Stevenson and his wife with European and Samoan men and women are seen standing at the back of a large group on the steps of the verandah at Vailima. The verandah is draped with fern leaves. The group seated in front on the stairs includes Samoan men, mostly holding axes, and a group of sailors holding musical instruments. Other scenes relating to Stevenson show his house (Vailima), and his tomb on Mount Vaea. Inscriptions: Album page - "From Mr S. Percy Smith" Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with textured black cover, leather corners and spine; 37 x 28 cm
Pavitt, Thomas, fl 1873 : Annotated copy of Pacific Islands
Date: 1883
By: Pavitt, Thomas, active 1878
Reference: MSX-8047
Description: Annotated copy with Thomas Pavitt's signature of `Intercolonial Convention, Sydney, 1883', printed by Government Printer, Wellington, 1883. Volume also includes newspaper cuttings and a copy of a letter from King Malietoa of Samoa to W B Churchward (23 June 1885) which have been tipped onto the title page. The letter details King Malietoa's request for a treaty to be made between the Governments of Samoa and England like an existing treaty between the Governments of Samoa and Germany. The newspaper articles include a report of a visit to Samoa by Pavitt, `The Samoan Catastrophe' relating to German involvement in Samoa and `The true story of Bully Hayes' etc. Source of title - Supplied by Library Other Titles - Intercolonial Convention, Sydney, 1883. Report of the proceedings of the Intercolonial Convention, held in Sydney, in November and December, 1883. Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency. Quantity: 1 volume(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Printed matter with mss annotation. 136 pages, 32cm, bound with green boards. Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - From Published Collections, November 2007 Transfers: From Book Collections -. Newspaper illustrations tipped onto inside cover depict Apia and Pango-Pango Harbour
Miscellaneous government records - King Malietoa Laupepa
Date: 1881-1895, 1890s
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-08/1
Description: Mainly government business but include a few from Malietoa to Gurr on personal matters Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Samoan Government - Miscellaneous business including finance
Date: 1892-1899
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-03
Description: Includes notes by Gurr relating to the Supreme Court proceedings in which his salary claims were at issue - In English (b) E Schmidt, President of the Apia Municipal Council (1895) with appended copy of financial estimates - Covering letter in Samoa and estimates in both English and Samoan (c) Letter from the three Consuls to King Malietoa (1893) - A Samoan copy saying that they control the actions of the President of the Municipal Council (d) Notice issued by the Three Consuls proclaiming taxation and financial measures under Berlin Act (e) Treasury receipt signed by J B Hay in favour of R Chatfield, and countersigned by E Schmidt (1895), in English (f) Letter from Malietoa Tanumafili to John Davis, (1899) (h) Letter from Secretary General Post Office in Wellington to the Postmaster at Apia (1896) - English, enclosing statement of account and note written by Malietoa Laupepa (1896) - In Samoan concerning use of tobacco Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Miscellaneous papers relating to land
Date: 1894-1898
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-22
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Miscellaneous government documents and records - King Malietoa Laupepa
Date: 1881-1895
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-08/2
Description: Mainly financial records Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Samoan Government - Miscellaneous documents showing relations with the Great Powers
Date: 1883, 1894
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-02
Description: Includes, (a) Letter from Henry Waterhouse & Co to King Malietoa dated Liverpool, 7th May 1894 with press cuttings attached in English - (b) King Malietoa and members of the Samoan Government to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London, dated Mulinuu, 31st Dec 1894, a petition, English copy only - (c) Samoan government resolution accompanying "b" dated 24th Dec 1894, English copy with names and signatories - (d) Resolution "c", English copy without names of signatories - (e) Resolution "c", a Samoan original with signatures - (f) King Malietoa Laupepa to the German Emperor, dated Mulinuu, 2nd May 1883, a Samoan copy, incomplete. Malietoa's interpretation of the "Bismarck" agreement of 15th Dec 1879 with particular emphasis upon land problems and the means of conveying and securing land and (g) A Samoan draft of a document setting out, for the Samoans, the terms of the Berlin Act of 1889, unsigned and without date (condition poor) Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Statements - Samoan genealogies and customs
Date: 1894-1898
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-25
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Miscellaneous government documents
Date: 1890-1899
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-11
Description: Mainly papers on official matters Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Miscellaneous documents concerning lands and properties
Date: 1890, 1893, 1894, 1896
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-04
Description: Mainly documents in English and Samoan concerning lands and properties Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Papers - Warfare and war damage
Date: 1899
From: Gurr, Edwin William, 1862-1933 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0056-13
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.
2 Samoan Government Records, 1889-1899
Date: 1890-1898
From: Grattan, Frederick James Henry, 1909-1983 : Papers relating to his government service in Western Samoa
Reference: Series-0864
Description: The Treaty of Berlin of 1889 recognised Malietoa Laupepa as king of Samoa and he ruled until his death in 1898. This series covers the period 1890-1898 and comprises 26 folders. It contains papers relating to the government of Malietoa Laupepa. They include inward correspondence, drafts of outward correspondence, drafts of proclamations, regulations, ordanences and reports. Many of the papers are in Samoan with a number having English translations attached. Others are in English with a smaller number in German. The bulk of the correspondence is addressed to either the king, Malietoa Laupepa, or to the president of the Municipal Council of Apia who acted as an advisor to the King. The papers cover a variety of topics including the king's relations with the Three Consuls, security, judicial and police matters, public works, finance, and the workings of the Land Commission.
Correspondence
Date: 1891-1892, 1896
From: Grattan, Frederick James Henry, 1909-1983 : Papers relating to his government service in Western Samoa
Reference: MS-Papers-4879-010
Description: Correspondence relates to a range of topics including public and police ordinances, troubles in Tutuila, financial matters and road maintenance Also includes correspondence addressed to the Municipal President, Apia Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss and typescripts