Horatio Gordon Robley's (1840-1930) correspondence with John Cuthbert Adams (1854-1932)

Datec. 1923 to c.1929Reference NumberAms 261Collection SummaryScraps of letters: correspondence with John Cuthbert Adams, notes from book by J. Featon, sketches (including moko designs, plan of Tauranga pā). Robley was a remarkably prolific correspondent. He sent his many New Zealand friends a constant stream of letters, decorated envelopes, annotated sketches, illustrated postcards, newsclippings, photographs and miscellaneous items.DescriptionCollection comprises:

Ams 261/1: Notes, sketches and snippets of letters from Robley to J. C. Adams

Ams 261/2: Notes from Featon's book "The Waikato War 1868-4", anecdotes added by Robley

Ams 261/3: Letter from Lieutenant colonel C.L. Matthews, 68th Durham Light Infantry to Robley, 1929

Ams 261/4: Caption sketch of Gate Pā, 1864

Ams 261/5: Newspaper cutting, an explanation of 'Pataka' and history of Tama-te-kapua

Ams 261/6: Letter from Robley to J.C. Adams, c. 1920s

Ams 261/7: Letter to J.C. Adams from Robley c. 1920s

Horatio Gordon Robley lived 1840 to 1930. He was an artist, correspondent, collector, soldier, and one-time resident of New Zealand as a Lieutenant in the 68th Durham Light Infantry.
One of his letters is signed off with "Te Ropere", the Maori rendering of his name used by Hori Ngatai.

Correspondence with J.C. Adams includes:

sketches of moko and carving designs

a sketch of Pukehinahina (Gate Pā) with notes about changes made to the site when it became the Gate Pā military redoubt

anecdotes from Robley about his sketches

Letters discuss:

aspects of the Tauranga campaign

Robley's efforts to despatch his drawings via steamer to Auckland/London

reference is made to local Māori involved in the campaign

Robley's correspondents in New Zealand included Hori Ngatai, Gilbert Mair, and John C. Adams

Individuals mentioned in letters: Reweti, Rawiri's brother Te Kani [sic], Rauera Te Hiahia, Hamiora Tu, Captain Jenkins, Captain H. W. J. Trent, Hori Ngatai

Scraps of letters:
A peculiarity of Robley's correspondence in his retirement was that he usually wrote on scraps of paper torn off the bottoms of inward letters. Frequently he would decorate envelopes and enclosures with Māori designs. The six archival pages, written by Robley give an impression of the nature of his activities and concerns from the period between his retirement 1887 and his death, 1930.CreatorRobley, Horatio Gordon 1840-1930 Matthews, Claud Leonard 1877-1967LevelCollectionExtent1 folder containing 6 manuscripts, double-sidedSystem of ArrangementIt is believed that the arrangement reflects the order in which they were received.LanguageEnglishTe Reo MāoriSourceshttps://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/roble.....f thirty years and after.Transcripts

Archive Items

Notes, sketches and snippets of letters from Robley, H.G. to Adams, J.C.

Notes from Featon's book "The Waikato War 1868-4" with anecdotes added by Robley.

Letter of thanks from Lt.Col. C.L. Matthews of the 68th Durham Light Infantry to Major Genl H.G. Robley

Caption sketch of Gate Pā, 1864.

Small newspaper cutting attached to an explanation of 'Pataka' and a detailed history of Tama-te-kapua, who was the commander of the Te Arawa canoe.

Letter from Robley to J.C. Adams with reference to the publication of various illustrations of Robley's.

Letter from Robley to J.C. Adams giving an impression of the nature of his activities and concerns between his retirement and his death.

Sketch by Robley looking West from Eastern side of Gate Pa battleground

Asset Location

RoomClimate controlled room - offsite

Usage

Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightNo known copyrightAccess ConditionsNo access restrictions apply to this collection.

Relates To

PeopleAdams, John Cuthbert, 1854-1932 (Person)Robley, Horatio Gordon, 1840-1930Adams, John Cuthbert, 1854-1932PlacesTauranga (New Zealand)EventsBattle of Gate Pā (29 April 1864)Other Item(s)Scribbles and scratchings (Horatio Robley in Ams 261): The Past and the CuriousWalker, Tim. (1985) "Robley KeywordsHistory, Gate Pā (N.Z.), Battle of, 1864 Tattooing, Personal narratives - Manuscripts

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Horatio Gordon Robley's (1840-1930) correspondence with John Cuthbert Adams (1854-1932)