A SUIT OF ARMOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13938, 21 December 1908, Page 8

A SUIT OF ARMOUR.

LINK WITH THE PAST. • QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP. SOME INTERESTING- LETTERS. [BY- TELEGRAFH.—OWN fORRKSI'ONDKNT.] Wellington, Saturday. An article on a suit of armour which had been deposited in the Dominion Museum by. Dr. Pomare appeared recently in "(he New Zealand Herald. Mr. A. Hamilton, curator of the museum, has since been making investigation, as the result of which he finds that the statements previously made as. to the history of the armour can be challenged. These statements were, briefly, to the effect, that the armour belonged to Tuwhare, who had inherited it. from the famous chief Hongi. Tuwhare, it was supposed, gave it to. the Wanganuis as ransom for a prisoner named Tokiwhati, and it had been in the possession of the Wanganuis ever since. This. Tuwhare, says Mr. Hamilton, led a war party, which suffered a reverse, in which Tokiwhati was taken prisoner by the Wanganuis. The expedition returned to Hokianga about October, 1820, Tuwhare then being dead. He probably died in July or August of that year. Hongi sailed for England in March, 1820, and returned in July, 1821, with the armour and other presents from the King of England. Therefore, the armour which he brought back with him cannot have been given by him to a Maori who died in 1820. Hongi himself lived until 1828, and there are a number of other particulars available which relate to his armour. It was in all probability chain armour, and there was with it a helmet, or cap, which is shown in the sketch of Hongi done from life by Gilfillan. But Mr. Hamilton has something more than negative evidence as to the history of the armour. Through the kindness of Hare Hongi (Mr. H. M. Stowell) he has been able to procure copies of two very interesting letters, which he considers establish, in all probability, the identity of the interesting relic which has been placed under his care. They are reprinted below, but it is necessary to say, in explanation, that the ship Buffalo, under Captain Sadler, came to New Zealand in 1834 to procure kauri spars for the British navy. The first letter is from Titore, chief of the Ngapuhi, to King William IV. Mr. Stowell translates it as follows :-— King William.—Here am I, the friend cf Captain Sadler. The ship is full, and is now about,to sail. " I have heard that you aforetime were the captain of a ship. Do you, therefore, examine tho spars whether they aro good, or whether they are bad? Should you and the French quarrel here aro some trees for your battleships. lam now beginning to think about a ship for myself. A native canoe is my vessel. These canoes upset when filled with potatoes pud other matters for your peopic. I have put on board the Buffalo a "mere pounamu" and two garments. These aro all the things which New Zealanders possess. If I had anything better I would give it to Captain Sadler for you. This is all mine, to you— mine.—Titore. To William, King of England. , k .;'• . The second letter conveys the King's thanks to Titore," and mentions a present of armour. It is as follows: — The Earl -of Aberdeen, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, to His Highness Titore, ' friend and brother, —I have received the commands of my most gracious Sovereign, King William IV., to thank you for your letter, brought to him by tho hands of Captain Sadler, commander of His: Majesty's ship, the Buffalo, and for the assistance which you rendered to him in obtaining tho articles for which that ship was expressly sent to your country. King William will not forget this proof of your friendship,' and ,he trusts that such mutual good offices will continuo to be interchanged between His Majesty's subjects and the chiefs and people of. New Zealand, as may cement the friendship already so happily existing between the two countries, and advance the commercial, interests and wealth of both. The King, my master, further commands me to thank,you for your present, and in return he desires you will accept a suit of armour, such as was worn in former times by his warriors, but which is now only used by , his own body . guard. This letter, as well as His Majesty's Royal present, wili be conveyed to yon through James Busby, Esq.,, His Majesty's authorised resident at the Bay of Islands, whose esteem and friendship you will do well to cultivate, •and, who, in. his turn, will do all in his power, to-promote your welfare and that of 'your countrymen. lam your friend and brother.—(Signed) ABERDEEN, Colonial Office, London. January 31, 1835. The above is probably the first notice extant of the armour which has been presented by Dr. Pomare to the museum. The next reference dates from May, 1841, when there was a feast at Remuera, called the great Waikato feast. On that occasion Titore presented the armour to Te Wherowhero. , Angus, in his "Savage Life and Scenes," Vol. 2, p. 86, describes the passing of the" armour from Te Wherowhero to Taonui. He states: "The armour is old arid rusty, and is made of steel inlaid with brass.'-' • This exactly corresponds with the armour under discussion. k What Mr. Hamilton.now wants to know is the history of the armour after it came into the possession of Taonui. This Dr. Pomare has promised to try to find out. Mr. Hamilton has discussed the whole subject with Mr. Percy Smith, who is of the opinion that the, armour must be that of Titore. The cuirass is almost exactly like that of the Horse Guards of the present, day, and it therefore. answers to the description in Lord Aberdeen's letter. .