H. J. Moors - The Tokanoa a plain tale of some strange adventures in the Gilberts

PMB 10

fonds

440564

Microfilm : PMB 10

ne microfilm reel 35 mm

Harry J. Moors was born in Detroit in 1854 and died in Apia, Western Samoa, in 1926. As an agent for the Hawaiian Board of Immigration, he made several voyages to the Gilbert and Marshall Islands around 1880 to recruit labourers for Hawaii's sugar plantations. In 1883, he settled in Apia, Western Samoa, and became a successful trader and planter. Moors was closely associated with Robert Louis Stevenson during the novelist's five years (1889-1894) in Samoa, and in 1910 he published a book of reminiscences entitled With Stevenson in Samoa. Moors stated in that book that Stevenson had once urged him to write down some of the wonderful stories' he had related to Stevenson about his early career. Moors acted on this encouragement, and after Stevenson died, he wrote two novels, of which The Tokanoa: a plain tale of some strange adventures in the Gilberts is one. Neither of the novels was published. (For further details on this subject, see: Pambu, the monthly newsletter of the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, for September, 1968)

The novel ca. 1880 is based on Moors' experiences in the Gilbert Islands as a labour recruiter for the Hawaiian Board of Immigration. The title page states that it is compiled from the diary of John T. Bradley, labor agent'

PMB (Australian National University. Pacific Manuscripts Bureau) ; 10
Available for reference
Guide to collections of manuscripts relating to Australia B782
Microfilm copy of original held in private ownership