E. E. V. Collocott - King Taufa, ca. 1930

PMB 1029

fonds

Canberra : Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, [19--]

441097

Microfilm : PMB 1029

microfilm reel 35 mm

The Reverend Collocott (1886-1970) served as a Methodist missionary in Tonga from 1911 until 1924, initially at Ha'apai and from 1915 as Principal of Tupou College. He wrote numerous papers on Tongan myths, legends, history, language, customs and astronomy

The typescript is not dated but it is thought to have been written after Collocott left Tonga, possibly between 1921 and 1930. The manuscript is a history of Tonga centred around King Taufa'ahu (George Tupou I) and his family. It contains stories of creation, myths, legends, songs, and family histories and, as the chapter headings denote, the more recent history and personalities associated with the coming of the Europeans (Cook, Bligh, Edwards, Moulton, the London Missionary Society etc.). A number of published works are named as reference sources. The manuscript appears to contain twenty-six chapters but from Chapter 13 onwards the arrangement is very confused. The detailed list of contents, at the beginning of the microfilm, also indicates the position of some additional pages in Collocott's handwriting. Annotations have been made at some time by an unknown researcher

PMB (Australian National University. Pacific Manuscripts Bureau) ; 1029
Associated materials: see PMB 28
Available for reference
Microfilm copy of originals held by Division of Pacific and Asian History, Research School of Pacific Studies
No part of the contents may be published or used in quotation without the written permission of the Rev. Dr. Sione Latukefu, c/- Pacific and Southeast Asian History, Division of Pacific and Asian History, Research School of Pacific Studies, ANU, GPO Box 4, Canberra ACT 2601