He Reta Ki Te Maunga - Letters to the Mountain: Maori Letters to the Editor 1898-1905

"In the nine years of its existence the Wairarapa-based newspaper Te Puki ki Hikurangi provided a lively forum for ideas and news among Maori up and down the country. This book samples 35 letters that were written to the editor between the years 1898 and 1905, in Maori with English translations. These documents offer a fascinating slice of Maori life from the turn of the twentieth century and an insight into the art of story telling. Included are tales of everyday life, recipes, farming and family gatherings, as wel as extraordinary events like a voyage to the Klondike goldfields, a tragic flood and a ceremony to mark Queen Victoria's death. The author has located and here includes many photos of the letter writers and places described" --Publisher's description.