OLD AORI DOCUMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23393, 7 January 1938, Page 10

OLD AORI DOCUMENTS

A Maori prayer book, printed In 1847, at the Bay of Islands, is in the possession of Mr Tamatea McDonnell, of Wanganui. Considered to be 'one'of the first books printed in New Zealand, this work was translated from the French. It is in splendid condition, and the leather covers appear as new. At the back is printed a list of the Popes of Rome, from St. Peter onwards. The first Maori prayer book was printed in Sydney in 1833, and contained parts of the Old and New Testaments. This work was done for the Church Missionary Society of New Zealand. ’Mr McDonnell highly prizes both these volumes, and states that they are practically irreplaceable. The books are interesting in view of the forthcoming Roman Catholic Centenary celebrating the arrival of Bishop Francois Pompallier. A number of original and very old Maori letters are also in the possession of Mr McDonnell. These are by noted chiefs of the last century, many of whom signed the Treaty of Waitangi. Some of the communications were addressed to Sir George Grey and others to Mr John White, who was magistrate at Wanganui between the years 1862 and 1864. Mr McDonnell considers these letters to form a valuable section of his library of rare Maori literature. Translating the letters is occupying Mr McDonnell at the present time. They reveal careful concentration by their authors