Case 17
- "Our Māori Bretheren"
Thomas Kendall. A Grammar and Vocabulary of the Language of New Zealand. London: Church Missionary Society, 1820.
These books represent just some of theMāori language material from Robert's library. Kendall compiledhis grammar and orthography under the guidance of Samuel Lee, Professor ofArabic at Cambridge. The work was issued in a fine paper edition and a roughpaper edition. The item shown here isan example of the coarse paper issue of the work, designed to withstand thewear and tear of travelling through the bush.
Thomas Kendall. A Grammar and Vocabulary of the Language of New Zealand. London: Church Missionary Society, 1820.
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William Williams. A Dictionary of the New Zealand Language, and a Concise Grammar; to which is added a Selection of Colloquial Sentences. 2nd edition. London: Williams and Norgate, 1852.
WilliamWilliams, first Bishop of Waiapu, compiled the first edition of his dictionaryof the New Zealand Language in 1844.This second edition was also compiled by William Williams. His son, William Leonard Williams, andgrandson Herbert William Williams edited further editions of what has becomepopularly known as Ôthe Williams Dictionary'.
William Williams. A Dictionary of the New Zealand Language, and a Concise Grammar; to which is added a Selection of Colloquial Sentences. 2nd edition. London: Williams and Norgate, 1852.
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Robert Maunsell. Grammar of the New Zealand Language. 2nd edition. Auckland: W. C. Wilson, 1862.
Maunsell's grammar was first written in 1841-42 and issued in four parts, the first three in 1842 and part four in 1843. This 2nd edition is substantially the same, but issued as one volume. It is shown open at the contents page to give an idea of the layout of the work.
Robert Maunsell. Grammar of the New Zealand Language. 2nd edition. Auckland: W. C. Wilson, 1862.
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Mary Joseph Aubert. New and Complete Manual of Maori Conversation: containing phrases and dialogues on a variety of useful and interesting topics together with a few general rules of grammar; and a comprehensive vocabulary. Wellington: Lyon and Blair, 18
SisterAubert's work is quite different to most of the Māori language tutors ofthe time, being arranged as a phrase book.Like the other Māori language items in Robert's collection it showsconsiderable wear and it is temptingto speculate that this and other Māori language books might haveaccompanied Robert as he travelled the country in his role as Minister ofLands. He would certainly haverequired a certain level of facility in the language to adequately fulfil thedemands of the role.
Mary Joseph Aubert. New and Complete Manual of Maori Conversation: containing phrases and dialogues on a variety of useful and interesting topics together with a few general rules of grammar; and a comprehensive vocabulary. Wellington: Lyon and Blair, 18
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