42 Transactions. 



I made inquiries as to Hongi's armour fiom Mr. Stowell (Hare Hongi), 

 a descendant of Hongi-nui, and by great good fortune was able to obtain 

 from him some documents which settle the question. The first document 

 is from Titore to King William IV : " Letter from Titore, Chief of Nga 

 Puhi, to King WiUiam IV." Undated, probably 1834. 



" King William, — Here am I, the friend of Captain Sadler. The ship 

 is full, and is now about to sail. I have heard that you, aforetime, were 

 the captain of a ship. Do you therefore examine the spars, whether they 

 are good or whether they are bad. Should you and the French quarrel, 

 here are some trees for your battleships. I am now beginning to think 

 about a ship for myself : a Native canoe is my vessel, and I have nothing 

 else. The Native canoes upset when they are filled with potatoes and 

 other matters for your people. I have put on board the ' Buffalo ' a mere 

 founamu and two garments : these are all the things which New-Zealanders 

 possess. If I had anything better, I would give it to Captain Sadler for 

 you. 



" This is all mine to you — mine, Titore, to William, King of England." 



[" True copy of translation. — Henry M. Stowell, 3 Sterling Street, 

 Berhampore. 7/12/08."] 



The following is the reply : — 



" The Earl of Aberdeen, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of 

 State, to His Highness Titore. 



" Friend and Brother, — 



" I have received the commands of my most gracious sovereign. 

 King William the Fourth, to thank you for your letter, brought to him 

 by the hands of Captain Sadler, commander of His Majesty's ship the 

 ' Buffalo,' and for the assistance which you rendered to him in obtaining 

 the articles for which that ship was expressly sent to your country. 



" King William will not forget this proof of your friendship, and he 

 trusts that such mutual good offices will continue to be interchanged between 

 His Majesty's subjects and the chiefs and people of New Zealand as may 

 cement the friendsliip already so happily existing between the two countries, 

 and advance the commercial interests and wealth of both. 



" The King, my master, further commands me to thank you for your 

 present, and in return he desires you will accept a suit of armour, such as 

 was worn in former times by his warriors, but which are now only used 

 by his own Body Guard. 



" This letter, as well as His Majesty's Royal present, will be conveyed 

 to you through James Busby, Esq., His Majesty's authorised Resident at 

 the Bay of Islands, whose esteem and friendship you will do well to culti- 

 vate, and who in his turn will do all in his power to promote your welfare, 

 and that of your countrymen. 



" I am your Friend and Brother, 

 " Aberdeen. 



" Colonial Office, London, 31st January, 1835." 



The armour is undoubtedly the suit presented to Titore as a recognition 

 of his services to the captain of the " Buffalo." Although not Hongi's 

 armour, it is still Nga Puhi, as will be seen from the following whakapapa 

 showing the relationship between Hongi and Titore. I am indebted for 

 this genealogy to Mr. Stowell (Hare Hongi). 



