57174
Alister Matheson's research papers of the Spencer family
Date1904-1992Reference NumberAms 221Collection SummaryAlister Matheson's research (photocopies and newspaper clippings) into the lives of the Spencer family, at Maketū and Lake Tarawera in the second half of the 19th century.DescriptionCollection comprises of two envelopes:
Te Mu envelope:
Maketū envelope:
Focus on the Wharekahu Church Missionary Society Mission Station at Maketū and the activities of the Spencer family, especially Lettie Spencer. Some coverage of the period spent at Kariri Point at Lake Tarawera. Includes:
Alister published an article drawing on the research contained in the Maketū envelope – Matheson, A.H. (2002, November). Wharekahu CMS Mission Station, Maketū. Historical Review, 50(2), 64-75.
For Archive collections relating to:
For additional Alister Matheson collections see also: Ms 15, Ams 209, Ams 221, Ams 249, and Ams 405
CreatorMatheson, A. H. (Alister Hugh)LevelCollectionExtent2 envelopesLanguageEnglish
Te Mu envelope:
- Focus on Alister’s research into the ownership history of the land on which the mission station at Te Mu was sited. Includes:
- handwritten transcription of Lettie Spencers journal, April 1868-March 1869
- letter from Frances Kenny to to Alister Matheson re ownership history of Te Mu and location of "Wharekahu" and "Ivy Isle" at Maketū
- letter from Land information New Zealand (Ref: Request 141932) re Te Mu Mission land, Te Wairoa, Lake Tarawera
- letter to Alexy Simmons (NZHPT) from Alister Matheson regarding ownership history of Te Mu and reply dated January 2003
- reply from Māori Land Court to inquiry (Ref: E20020009164) from Alister Matheson re ownership or land status of the land on which Te Mu Mission station was sited
- photocopies of records re Spencer purchase of Te Mu block for Mission station
- letter from R. F. Keam requesting copy of legal description for Te Mu land belonging to Spencers
- letter from Don Stafford to Alister Matheson re research into ownership of Te Mu via Rotorua MLC Minute Book (MB#2 Mita Rawiri evidence 9/5/1882, MB#311/5/1882, Renata Ngahana evidence 5/6/1882, MB#13 Ihaka Marino evidence 2/7/1887, Mita Taupopoki evidence 14/7/1887)
- A2 photocopies of Title deeds relating to Te Mu covering original purchase by Spencer on 3/9/1879
- transfer of land to Emily Way (nee Spencer) and subsequent owners through to 1958 ; Letter from Rotorua Districft Council (File ref 08-09-503) re legal description of land at Te Mu and attached information re Kariri Point
- photocopy of pages from Supplement to NZ Gazette, No. 57 2nd October 1873 p.267 re extension of operation of the Native Land Act 1873.
Maketū envelope:
Focus on the Wharekahu Church Missionary Society Mission Station at Maketū and the activities of the Spencer family, especially Lettie Spencer. Some coverage of the period spent at Kariri Point at Lake Tarawera. Includes:
- "Items copied from a record book-cum-diary kept by Sub. Insp. H. Way and Emily Way",1874-1877
- handwritten transcription of extracts from Lettie Spencer's Maketū diary, September 1870 - January 1873
- letter to Alister Matheson from Frances Kenny re "Ivy Isle" home at Maketū
- correspondence between Mrs Monica? Holloway of Te Puke and Dorothy Purvis from Santa Cruz California re history of Spencer family at Kariri (Lake Tarawera) and at Wharekahu, includes details about the Church of St Thomas, Maketū
- miscellaneous research notes
- article from ‘New Zealand Herald’, 20 July 1968, “"Umbrella parson" rests in a unique mausoleum", with inscriptions from the Spencer mausoleum at Kariri Point at Lake Tarawera
- documents from Rotorua District Council archives: “Kariri Point (Māori for Galilee), Lake Tarawera which includes legal description and history of site, and also the "Spencer window" at St Faiths Church, Ōhinemutu.
Alister published an article drawing on the research contained in the Maketū envelope – Matheson, A.H. (2002, November). Wharekahu CMS Mission Station, Maketū. Historical Review, 50(2), 64-75.
For Archive collections relating to:
- S. M. Spencer, see also: Ams 209, and Ams 249
- S. M. Spencer's son Frank, see also: Ms 15, and Ms 23
- Charlotte (Lettie) Spencer's diaries, see also: Ms 89
For additional Alister Matheson collections see also: Ms 15, Ams 209, Ams 221, Ams 249, and Ams 405
CreatorMatheson, A. H. (Alister Hugh)LevelCollectionExtent2 envelopesLanguageEnglish
Asset Location
RoomClimate controlled room
Usage
Kaitiakitanga StatementPlease use taonga Māori materials provided by Te Ao Mārama: Tauranga City Libraries appropriately. This includes being respectful and mindful of the creator/s, as well as the mana and dignity of people, iwi and hapū group/s, and the environmental subjects depicted in the material.Access ConditionsNo access restrictions apply to this collectionAcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 221
Relates To
PeopleMatheson, Alister Hugh, 1925-2011 (Person)
Admin
Source of ContributionLibrary collection
Matheson, A. H. (Alister Hugh), Alister Matheson's research papers of the Spencer family (1904-1992). Pae Korokī, accessed 25/03/2026, https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/57174
