Son of Colonel Thomas McDonnell and his first wife Rose (née von Dadelszen). After his mother died he was brought up by a Maori family in the Waikato, until he was 18 (up to this age he could only speak Maori). He became Private Secretary to Hori Kerei Taiaroa, MLC (an Otago Chief). Later married Taiaroa's daughter. He was a bookseller in Auckland and published the Maori newspaper, Te Manukura. In 1930 he moved from Hawke's Bay to Wanganui and entered into business as an interpreter and adviser to the Maori people. He was elected chairman of the Maori Welfare League, and was well known for his wide knowledge of Maori folklore.
McDonnell, Alexander Francis, 1866-1938
McDonnell, Tamatea, 1866-1938
There are 7 related items to this topic
Manuscript
Correspondence (McA-McR)
Date: 1920-1932
From: Alexander Turnbull Library (Wellington) : Correspondence files
Reference: MS-Papers-0181-057
Description: Correspondents not added to Name Field include: Constance McAdam; John McAlister; Eugene McCarthy; A C McClurg & Co (Chicago); J D McComish; Mrs C McCulloch (Hobart); J P McDavitt; J MacDonald; Jean Macdonald; Rev R L McDonald; Thomas C McDonald; M McDougall; Margaret McDowall; J B McEwan; A M Macfarlane; J C McGill-Nutt; W J McGlone; Frederick MacGregor; A H Maciver; George Mackaness (re William Bligh); Gozza Mackay; Kathleen McKay; Rosa McKay; S & W Mackay (booksellers); W McKay; T J McKee; D C McLachlan; A W McMillan; J McNaught; Ailsa J McPhee; D McRitchie. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Manuscript
McDonnell, Alexander Francis, 1866-1938 : Papers
Date: 1845-1938
By: McDonnell, Alexander Francis, 1866-1938
Reference: MS-Papers-0151
Description: The papers comprise Maori letters (1845-1931), and correspondence, newsclippings and papers relating to Maori organisations, (eg Ratana Movement), political affairs, translation services, land claims, legal disputes, and Maori publications, especially periodicals and newspapers. Also included is a manuscript account by Wiremu Toetoe and Te Hemara Rerehau of their visit to Vienna (1858-1859). Other - Some letters are accompanied by translations A F McDonnell (also known as Tamatea) was Private Secretary to the Otago Chief, Hori Kerei Taiaroa. He published the Māori newspaper 'Te Manukura' and after shifting to Wanganui in 1930 he worked as an interpreter. Quantity: 42 folder(s). 0.60 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs, mss, typescripts and printed matter Finding Aids: Inventory available. Processing information: No folder MS-Papers-0151-06 is held
Manuscript
Shortland, Edward, 1812-1893 : Fragment of a diary
Date: 1846
From: Early Maori Imprint Project : Items transferred from the Printed Collections
Reference: MS-Papers-6597-2
Description: Contains a few pages of the Maori almanac, `He Maramatakahaere' (1846) with notes for two days, presumably in Shortland's hand, `28th went on shore at Kororareka where Kawiti's natives were assembled - to Paihia in Evening & rec Heke; 29th Visit Kawiti at Otuihu' Source of title - Supplied by Phil Parkinson as part of the EMI project Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: For further information about this item, see Back file, Early Maori Imprint project. Provenance: Signed by A F McDonnell; has note, `Dr Shortland's papers' in the hand of Hocken, and appears to have been removed from the Maori Affairs Department library Processing information: Transferred from the Printed Collections, May 1999. No previous identifier information.
Group
Series 8 - Alexander Francis McDonnell papers
From: Maori Purposes Fund Board : Papers
Reference: Series-0142
Description: These papers consist largely of handwritten copies of published texts, including `Robinson Crusoe' and `Pilgrim's progress' (in Maori), the introduction to `Lore of the Whare Wananga', and obituaries from `Te Puke Ki Hikurangi'. Quantity: 12 folder(s).
Manuscript
McDonnell, Alexander Francis, 1866-1938 : Further papers
Date: [1850-1952]
By: McDonnell, Alexander Francis, 1866-1938
Reference: MS-Group-0915
Description: Comprises scrapbooks mostly relating to Maori issues, including Ratana, and political affairs Also miscellaneous folders of correspondence and papers Source of title - Supplied See also MS-Papers-0151 Quantity: 37 folder(s) folders/volumes. 0.20 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph, mss, typescripts and printed matter
Online
Image
Te Manukura (Maori recorder). Akarana Niu Tireni, Auckland N.Z. Specimen of Maori recor...
Date: 1916
From: [Ephemera of octavo size relating to Maori. 1900-1919]
By: McDonnell, Alexander Francis, 1866-1938
Reference: Eph-A-MAORI-1916-01
Description: A folded sheet of pink paper, with an ornate front page showing Maori carving and a nikau palm and toetoe. Text is in Maori and English, and proposes the publication of a new Maori newspaper. The paper was proposed to be published monthly from the Publishers at 355 Queen Street Auckland. Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s) on folded pamphlet. Physical Description: Letterpress on folded pamphlet, 235 x 165 mm.
Manuscript
A F McDonnell papers - History of early land claims on Maori records
Date: 1847-1893
From: Maori Purposes Fund Board : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0189-091
Description: Contains a narrative about early relations between Maori and Pakeha in New Zealand (1835-1870), including information about the Treaty of Waitangi, and disputes over land. Also comprises papers on the New Zealand Company's block-purchases of lands in the North and South Islands. Includes instructions from the British Government regarding the alienation by its agents of tribal lands. Also contains a transcript in Maori of Wi Parata vs the Bishop of Wellington and the Attorney General over the alienation of the Whitireia Block belonging to the Ngati Toa iwi. Finding Aids: Detailed inventory available.