A Pakeha Maori [Frederick Edward Maning] — Old New Zealand

London, Smith, Elder & Co. 1863 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition of this detailed account of the customs and history of New Zealand, from the viewpoint of "A Pakeha Maori", Frederick Edward Maning, an irishman who settled in a Maori community and adopted their lifestyle. First edition. Bound in the publisher's brown blind-stamped cloth. Scarce work. Written by "A Pakeha Maori", a term used to describe Europeans who lived among Maori in early New Zealand, often traders or ex-convicts who adopted Maori lifestyles. In this instance, "A Pakeha Maori" refers to Frederick Edward Maning, an early settler who hailed from Ireland before moving to New Zealand and becoming a judge of the Native Land Court. Notably, Maning acted as a translator at meetings about the Treaty of Waitangi, advising the local Maori not to sign. 'Old New Zealand' was the first of two books written by the author on the subject, with this work documenting his arrival in New Zealand as a young man and his time learning about and living within the Maori community. Maning's work is in part a lament for the lost freedom of the Maori people, taken by European rule. With the notes of a previous owner to the front endpaper. Bound in the publisher's cloth. Externally, sound, with light bumping to the extremities. Rubbing and a little loss to the backstrip head and tail. Tears to the joints, more significant to the rear. Horizontal tear to the backstrip, with the backstrip head lifting. Hinges are strained, tender to the front, with the front endpaper a little strained. Ink inscription to the front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright, with light spotting, mainly to the first and last pages. Good Only . Ill.: None. Good Only .