MANUSCRIPT
Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
- Date
- 1895-1985
- By
- Cowan, James, 1870-1943
- Reference
- MS-Group-2097
- Description
Cowan's papers consisting of research notes and drafts, correspondence, transcripts and clippings. Topics cover Cowan's research and writing interests including Maori, military and settler history, New Zealand Wars and tourism related topics.
See also James Cowan Papers MS-Papers-0039 for a previous acquisition of James Cowan papers; and ATL-Group-00003 for a collection purchased from the Cowan Family in 2015.
Arrangement: The folders are generally ordered as they were received from the auction house.
James Cowan was a writer, historian and journalist prominent in the first four decades of the twentieth century. He wrote over 30 books and hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines, mainly about New Zealand's ancient and recent past, its resources and scenic attractions. He made a significant contribution to the popular understanding of New Zealand history over this period. Cowan was a fluent Maori speaker and an early proponent of using oral histories to record historic evidence. He was married twice, the second time to Eileen Constance Stowell who was the daughter of the noted Maori scholar and translator Henry Stowell (Hare Hongi). Cowan died 6 Sep 1943 at Otaki Beach.
Quantity: 202 folder(s). 5 volume(s). 1.20 Linear Metres.
Transfers: Collection as a whole received into manuscripts; material transferred to other sections from here. - To Drawings & Prints Collection - A small pencil drawing on paper was transferred to DPP of MS Driver off Barrett's Hotel, Wellington, 1846 which came from box 58 in original listing see: A-389-008. - To Drawings & Prints Collection - Original painting titled on base 'Mauku - church military camp 1863. Signed and dated A H Messenger/22. Came from MS-Papers-11310-69 (25 in original listing), reference number now A-389-017. - To Drawings & Prints Collection - Six drawings were transferred from MS-Papers-11310-73 (three of unidentified women, one entitled 'Hinemoa surveys Mokoia,' one entitled 'Hinemoa and Tutanekai as they probably were' and one other that shows four Maori characters and a silhouette with two characters kissing. Artist unknown but two of them say 'after Linley Richardson' who was a well-known artist in New Zealand in the early 1900s. Some newspaper and magazine clippings were present with these drawings including nude images, that the artist may have used when drawing these drawings. Reference number now A-389-018-001/006. - To Drawings & Prints Collection - One small drawing of a Maori man in a taniko-bordered cloak, holding taiaha, standing in front of a whare. Taken from MS-Papers-11310-99. Now A-389-019. - To Ephemera Collection - Two promotional booklets for Cowan's books: 'Tales of the Maori Bush' and 'A Trader in Cannibal Land'. Taken from MS-Papers-11310-99. - To Drawings & Prints Collection - Sketch of James Cowan ca 1940. Artist unknown. DP-2013-047/A-459-009. - To Ephemera Collection - Four souvenir booklets for for Wellington's Mystery Train excursions in 1932, see Eph-B-RAIL-1932-Cowan..
Processing information: It is likely that these papers were originally from the same provenance as the earlier acquisition of James Cowan papers MS-Papers-0039 which came from the Cowan family. Because the exact provenance of this collection was uncertain they have been identified as a separate collection but it is likely they were originally from the same source as they are James Cowan's own research papers.
- Access restrictions
- No access restrictions
- Format
- 202 folder(s), 5 volume(s), 1.20 Linear Metres, Personal correspondence, Notes (Documents), Clippings, Manuscripts
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Copyright
Unknown
Research papers
Date: [1916-1934]
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-75
Description: Assorted research papers, drafts and clippings about New Zealand history. Includes articles about Te Teko Pa, and George 'Rowley' Hill and drafts of 'The inspector: A police force vignette' and 'At the rising of the moon' and postcard of the Maori carved pulpit at the Maori Mission Church [possibly Ohinemutu?] and a photograph with caption which says 'At the wood-carving school, Horohoro. The carving instructor and the boy who made this decorative "pare" for the top of the doorway.' Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Research papers relating to Tongariro National Park book
Date: [1844-1936]
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-89
Description: Research papers and drafts relating to Cowan's book on the Tongariro National Park. Includes Maori legends and waiata from the Taupo area. Arrangement: A part of bundle 10 in original listing. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Handwritten account by Heni Pore about her involvement in the NZ Wars
Date: [1844-1927]
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-141
Description: A handwritten account by Heni Pore of her upbringing and involvement in the New Zealand wars including her part in the Waikato Wars, Gate Pa and the Battle of Orakau. The document appears to be in at least two parts [numbered sequences] but with some pages missing. Has a MS inscription on a page near the back which appears to be written much later by Heni Pore [Jane Foley] saying 'more rubbish to burn for you to burn'. Also an envelope labelled by Cowan 'Jane Foley's Life (Heni Pore) Wairoa fighting 1863'. Arrangement: 29 in original listing Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Research papers, drafts and clippings
Date: [1929-1948]
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-132
Description: Research papers, drafts and clippings on Cowan's research and writing interests including the New Zealand environment and Maori culture. Includes handwritten waiata and karakia, particularly the karakia that was used to fell the tree for Te Arawa [?] and a Ngati Toa waiata which begins 'Kaore te mamae e wahi pu ana te tau of taku ate...'. Also a concert programme for a concert given by the National Orchestra of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, second season 1948 [13th March 1948], at the Wellington Town Hall. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Notebook relating to Maori history of Taupo area
Date: [1867-1900]
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MSX-9031
Description: Notebook containing research notes relating to Maori history (particularly food-gathering practices) from around the Taupo area. It seems that Cowan has used Maori Land Court minute books for his information as he attributes the information to land block names and case names, informant names and dates. Some of the people he mentions are: H Tumatara Pio of Te Teko (aged 77 in 1900), Te Waaka Tamaira (Rangatira block, 1884), Hitiri Te Paerata (mentioned several times), Tini Waata, Wineti Paranihi, Aperahama Werewere, Te Heueheu Tukino, and Te Rangitahau. The book also contains information given to him from Hare Hongi about Maori astronomy, makutu, and the moari [swing]. Contains whakapapa, karakia and waiata. Language - Some parts of the notebook are written in Maori. Arrangement: Item 11 in original listing Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Letter from H Fildes and clippings relating to Lady Grey
Date: [1926-1940]
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-119
Description: A handwritten letter from H Fildes and a six-page handwritten biography about Lady Grey [wife of Sir George Grey] also written by H Fildes, dated 1934. Also contains clippings relating to Lady Grey and Sir George Grey. Arrangement: 36 in original listing Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Laments and songs (lot 172ii)
Date: 1800-1922
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-04
Description: Contains a lament by Te Whakarato of Ngati Whakaue. Also a moteatea by Matangi Hauora of Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Toa `Takoto rawa iho ki te po'. This folder includes a lament from Tamarahi Tomairangi of Ngati Pikiao, composed by Rangi-Mamao of Rotoiti. Cowan writes that Tamarahi recited it to him when they were in camp at Rotoiti in 1896. Also includes a translation of Takitaki-hoe-waka, which Cowan describes as an `Arawa canoe song'. Also `Tangi - song for the Maori warriors killed in the battle of Orakau... from Hurae Puketapu, 1907'. A handwritten letter from Gilbert Mair which explains the meaning of `He waiata mo Te Mea' by Te Riutoto, also includes a copy of this waiata. Arrangement: Contents in this folder were in lot 172 in the auction where purchased Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0 Linear Metres.
The battle of Orakau papers (lot 173i)
Date: 1864-1922
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-05
Description: Newspaper clippings, many relating to the New Zealand Wars. Carbon copy of Orakau poem, written by Cowan's father-in-law, Henry Stowell (Hare Hongi) dated April, 1898. Arrangement: Contents of this folder were in lot 173 of the auction where purchased Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0 Linear Metres.
Correspondence and photographs from H D Bates
Date: 1923
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-112
Description: Two handwritten letters by H D Bates, a witness of the battle of Moutoa Island in 1864, both written in 1923. Also includes two photographs of a memorial [possibly of the Moutoa Island battle memorial which is mentioned in one of the letters] and one of Gilbert Mair [held by the ATL under the reference number PAColl-4306]. Also mentioned is Te Whiti and Parihaka. Arrangement: Bundle 39 in original listing Quantity: 1 folder(s).
The Tongariro National Park - Printer's proof (iii)
Date: 1927
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11310-32
Description: Incomplete printer's proof for The Tongariro National Park, also incomplete printer's proof for Travel in New Zealand (with annotations). Photographic print of Mount Ruapehu (possibly associated with The Tongariro National Park book). Photograph has inscription on back `Ruapehu from near Waihohonu hut' and is stamped with New Zealand and New Zealand Government Tourist Dept's Photo on back of print. Arrangement: Papers in this folder were a part of 45 in the preliminary list Quantity: 1 folder(s).