Port Molyneux : the story of Maori and pakeha in South Otago : a centennial history : commemorating the landing of George Willsher and his companions at Willsher Bay, June 28, 1840 : with a programme for the unveiling of the centennial cairn, erected by the Clutha County Council, June 28, 1940
A Confused Study Of Signatures
A Confused Study Of Signatures.
A study of these signatures gives rise to some doubts. From other sources we know that Tuhawaiki (Towack) and Karetai (Jackey White) and three other subordinate chiefs left the Bluff on January 10 and arrived in Sydney on the 27th, visiting Governor Gipps in Sydney on January 31, 1840.
The three minor chiefs would be Kaikoarare (Kaikoraira), Taikawa (Tuckawa), and Pokène (Bogener).
This raises the question as to whether or not Tuhawaiki signed twice—once as “Towack” for the mainland and a second time as “Tohowack” for Ruapuke. As “Tohowack'” name comes before that of Topi Patuki (Patuckie or Tobie), this is most likely.
A close examination of the moko signatures of Towack and Tohowack only gave me a headache.