Papers of Henry Evans and Honor Courtney Maude
1904-1999
MSS 0003
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Biographical note
This collection comprises the extensive papers of Henry Evans
(Harry) Maude, a former British colonial administrator, head of the
Social Development section of the South Pacific Commission, and
Professor of Pacific History at the Australian National University,
and of his wife, fellow researcher and string figure expert, Honor
Maude.
Harry Maude as a young man had read and responded to the
timeless appeal of the novels of Herman Melville, Robert Louis
Stevenson, Charles Stoddard, Jack London and Louis Becke, and been
fired with a passion to experience the romance of the South Seas. In 1928 he
undertook an Honours year in Anthropology at Cambridge University
and on graduation nominated as his sole choice in his application
for a cadetship in the Colonial Administrative Service the remote
Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony - a widespread collection of
coral atolls and reef islands incorporating the Gilbert and Ellice
island groups, Fanning, Washington, Christmas and Ocean Island.
[the Phoenix group of islands were added in 1937] Thus began
what was to be a life-long association with the Pacific islands,
one he would share with Honor Maude (nee Courtney King),
whom he married in September 1929.
During their eighteen years in the Colony Maude served as
District Officer, Native Lands Commissioner and ultimately Resident
Commissioner, and undertook a range of special projects including a
scheme for the resettlement of Gilbert and Ellice islanders on the
uninhabited southern Phoenix islands of Gardner, Hull and Sydney
(1937-38), the reorganisation of the constitution, legal code and
system of government of Pitcairn Island (1940), negotiation of the
purchase of Rabi Island on behalf of the Banabans, and a report on
the reorganisation of the Tongan Civil Service. In 1943 he was
attached to the U.S. Naval Intelligence Centre at Pearl Harbour,
where he served as part of a group familiar with the Gilbert
Islands whose local knowledge would be essential during planning of
the amphibious offensives against Japanese-occupied Makin and
Tarawa. His services in the Colony, particularly in relation
to the Phoenix Islands Settlement Scheme, were recognised by the
award of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year's list of
1939.
Between 1949 and 1955 Maude was seconded to the newly formed
South Pacific Commission, initially as Deputy-Secretary General and
then as Member/Executive Officer for Social Development. In
this position he was able to promote literacy programs and local
agricultural and trading cooperatives and other programs for social
development. He initiated the South Pacific Literature Bureau to
provide secular reading material for island people and the South
Pacific Bulletin, a quarterly reading list of books and
articles relating to the social development field in the South
Pacific, to assist local island government and to inform anyone
interested in the region.
Throughout his years as a District Officer years Maude had spent
whatever free time he could on anthropological studies and had
published two articles on Gilbertese social organisation in the
Journal of the Polynesian Society. Later, influenced
by a growing recognition of the complexity of island societies and
the process of culture change, he would focus rather on island
history, and with Honor began to research and collect source
materials. At the South Pacific Commission he was able to utilize
and further this broad acquaintance with the literature (and his
growing belief in the need for a more island-oriented
historiography) with a program to locate and microfilm manuscripts,
and to publicise these in the Commissions’s Quarterly
Bulletin. From 1952 he began to publish the results of some of
his own earlier and continuing research, beginning with an account
of the Phoenix Islands settlement scheme that had first been
published as a confidential report in 1938.
While at the South Pacific Commission Maude was approached by
Professor Jim Davidson to join the recently created Research School
of Pacific Studies at the Australian National University.
Though initially rejecting the offer from financial considerations
and commitments to the Commission, he was more responsive to a
subsequent offer and was ultimately appointed Senior Research
Fellow in the Department of Pacific History on 1 January
1957. He was to spent the next 14 years there, publishing
widely, encouraging and assisting other researchers, and co-
founding with Davidson the Journal of Pacific History.
He was also responsible for the foundation of the Pacific Microfilm
Bureau, devoted to the location and filming of unique manuscripts
on the islands, and for the ANU Press Pacific Monographs series of
bibliographies of sources relevant to the study of Pacific
history.
During this period Honor Maude also continued her research and
publications on string figures, an intriguing and exacting field of
study to which she was first introduced by the book String
figures for beginners that she read on the voyage out to the
Gilbert islands as a new bride in 1929. In her early years in
the Colony she had collected over 100 figures and published on
these in a series of papers in the Journal of the Polynesian
Society between 1936 and 1938. Further collections were
made on visits to Nauru in 1937 and to New Caledonia and the
Loyalty Islands in 1950. These collections and those of other
anthropologists (including Raymond Firth, Gerd Koch, Pearl
Beaglehole and Camilla Wedgwood) were subsequently published in
more than a dozen monographs and articles, a number under the
imprint of Honor Maude's own Homa Press. A distinctive
feature of these publications is the examination of the influences
on the creation, modification and transfer of particular patterns
and the citation of the source of the figures, drawing on relevant
written and oral sources, in the Maude scholarly tradition.
Although Maude retired from the University in 1970 his research
and publishing output barely slowed. His important study of
the labour trade in Polynesia, Slavers in Paradise, was
published in 1981. Subsequently he and Honor
concentrated on publishing works on the oral traditions and
traditional stories of the Gilbertese (officially known as the
I-Kiribati from independence in 1979), based upon data collected by
themselves and others, particularly Sir Arthur Grimble, who had
served in the Colony from 1914 and was Resident Commissioner during
their early years there. Seven titles were published between 1977
and 1994, including a reprint of The evolution of the Gilbertese
boti, first published in 1963, Tungaru traditions, a
collection of Grimble’s writings on the atoll culture of the
Gilberts, and The book of Banaba, a work intended “to
provide the present and future generations of Rabi islanders with
all that has been recorded of their former way of life on Banaba
from the time their forbears first settled it over a thousand years
ago.”
These papers were received between 1985 and 1998, as described
below. The Library had already acquired the Maude's Pacific
Islands library, which comprises some 6000 books, journals and
pamphlets. The 1995 catalogue
Journeys through Pacific history contains further
details on the Library and on the Maudes: see also Susan Woodburn
Where our hearts still lie: Harry and Honor Maude in the Pacific
islands (2003).
Overview of the Papers of H.E. and
H.C. Maude
Part I Series A-J papers were received from
Professor H.E. Maude between February 1985 and March 1986, in the
listed order and accompanied by detailed series and file
descriptions. Series titles have been provided and some additional
description given where it was thought useful to identify
particular documents or to alert researchers to the existence of
significant reports and items of correspondence or to background
papers earlier or broader than the given dates or description might
suggest. The descriptive notes in italics are those supplied by
Professor Maude.
Series K and L and the accompanying descriptions were received
from Professor Maude in 1991 after his completion of Tungaru
Traditions. The two volumes added as Series M were received in
April 1994 and Series N and O in 1997-98.
A further extensive collection of papers was received between
August 1995 and January 1998. These papers were assigned group
numbers by Professor Maude, and some had their own detailed lists.
Given the duplication of numbers and the differing types of
material contained in this transfer it has been felt useful to
designate these papers as Part II,
Pacific islands history resources (original notes, copies of
documents, research files, photographs, etc) and Part III, Maude’s working/correspondence files
as a Pacific historian.
Papers received as part of this transfer and subsequently
without any series identification have been incorporated into the
series that seemed most appropriate.
A Contents List describes the main components of the collection.
This can be keyword-searched in its online version. Further special
lists to particular groups or series, created by Professor Maude,
are identified with the notes to those series and can be consulted
with the collection.
Access Restrictions
Access to the collections is by application to the Special
Collections Librarian on the Manuscript
Access form.
Series F 6-8, Series H (all) and Series J (from 1941) of Part I are
closed until the year 2010 except with the written authorisation of
Professor Maude [now exercised through the power of attorney of his
son, Dr Alaric Maude]. Copyright in the collection remains with
Professor Maude and copying and reproduction of any significant
portion of the collection also requires written authorization.
Contents Summary
Part I
A. Pitcairn Island
Papers relating to administrative visits by H.E.
Maude. 1940-41 and 1944, with extensive background papers
1904-45. 20 cm.
B. Holland Papers
Papers of F.G.L. Holland, principally re the war-time occupation
of Tarawa, Banaban affairs and the post-war administration of
Rabi. 1931-49. 8 cm.
see also Series F and
J
C. Slavers in Paradise
Correspondence, notes, drafts and copies of source documents of
H.E. Maude’s book Slavers in Paradise (published 1981).
1970-81 and source materials of earlier date. 50 cm. and 4
reels of microfilm.
see also Series I
D. Honor Maude
Papers
Draft text of publications by H.C. Maude on string figures, with
related notes, illustrations and correspondence; together with
general correspondence on string figures, articles on string
figures by others; and talks on the Gilbert Islands and
Nauru. c1946-98. 50 cm.
E. Phoenix Islands Settlement
Scheme
Papers relating to the establishment and progress of a scheme
for settlement of people from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in the
Phoenix Islands. 1936-40. 10 cm.
see also Series G45 and J
F. The
Banaban Action v The Crown
Record of proceedings of the court actions brought by the
Banaban Council of Elders, together with extensive correspondence,
contemporary press reports and copies of documents and notes
compiled by Maude and others in preparation for the case.
1975-79, with earlier background papers. 30
cm. PART RESTRICTED
see also Series G1, H10-12 and Part II section 6 files on Ocean
Island/Banaba and group F files, F2
(12) - (17)
G. Correspondence and Papers on Specific
Subjects
Files compiled by H.E. Maude on matters connected with his
employment with the Colonial Service, South Pacific Commission and
Australian National University; the Pacific Manuscript Bureau and
Journal of Pacific History; congresses and publications contributed
to; grant of doctorate by the University of the South Pacific;
notes on manuscript sources; death of Amelia Earhart.
1932-93. 60 cm.
H. Correspondence with Particular Persons
Correspondence with friends, colleagues, and research students:
J.W. Davidson, Ida Leeson, Edouard Stackpole, , Martin Silverman,
G.K. Roth, Phyllis Mander Jones, John Young, Ian Diamond, Margaret
Titcomb, David Lewis, Lester Gaynor, P.D. Macdonald, R.G. Crocombe,
Derek Freeman and Caroline Melville (Ralston). 1957-87.
30 cm.
see also Series J and
Part III
I. Publications
Copies of published articles and books, some with drafts and
related correspondence, notes and source documents; together with
some unpublished articles and addresses.
see also Series C and Part III
Working/correspondence files ‘G’
J. General/Personal Correspondence
Correspondence with family, friends, colleagues and other
researchers, and ‘letters home’ while in the islands.
1929-99. 2 metres
PART RESTRICTED
see also Series G and
H and Part
III
K. “Miscellaneous Personal
Relics” and Biographical material
Interviews, articles, autobiographical notes; Personal records
kept during early years in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony,
including household accounts, a divorce register and list of
official dinner guests; also passports, driver’s licences and
travel diaries. also biographical material (including curriculum vitae, copies of newspaper articles re Maude, lists of publications, etc), tapes and transcript of 1995 National Library interview by Peter Biskup, and tapes of interviews with Susan Woodburn 1997 and a collection of notes prepared in 1998 to assist in her preparation of the Maudes’ biography. 1927-98.
L. Field Notes of and Papers
relating to Sir Arthur Grimble
Reports, field notes, typescript and manuscript papers and
articles collected and compiled by Grimble during his service in
the GEIC Administrative Service between 1913 and 1932. 50
cm.
[for additional papers re Arthur Grimble see
Series J, I52; Part II, sections 3 and 12
; and Part III, Series
C/26]
M. Simmons papers
Traditional stories told to missionary Miss B.E. Simmons by Ten
Tiroba of Buariki (Tarawa), with a translation by Reid Cowell.
1920s and 1990. 2 v.
N. Macdonald
papers
Collection of unpublished stories/proposed articles by P.D.
Macdonald: ‘Tales from the Pacific’, ‘The Western Pacific High
Commission’, ‘The reluctant empire builders’ and ‘From the Gilbert
Islands to Guatemala and back’. undated [1980s] 4
cm.
[for additional papers re Paddy Macdonald see
Series H 10-12, J, and photographs in Part II]
O. Pateman
papers
Creation stories, genealogies, myths and legends of the Gilbert
Islands, collected by May Pateman of the London Missionary Society
on Beru c1926-27. 8 cm.
Part II
Resources for Central Pacific Islands history, particularly the
Gilbert and Ellice Islands, including original notebooks, research
and reference files, photographs and copies of source
documents.
Group “A” (ringbinders):
1-{44}
Manuscript and typescript notes on the GEIC, other islands,
trade, missions and source materials, from manuscripts, newspapers,
journals, books, official reports, etc. 1.3 metres
Group “B” (files):
A-F
Extracts from and photocopies of source materials, with notes
and cuttings, on the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Phoenix islands,
Line islands, other groups and islands, and the history of the
Central Pacific generally. 45 cm.
“F” (files): 1-8
Bibliographies and other source material, notes and articles on
the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Pitcairn, the Central Pacific and
Pacific History generally. 8 v.
Sections 1-5: Gilbert
and Ellice Islands
Files created by Maude while District Officer on Beru and
subsequently, including both administrative, land, anthropological
and historical information. 55 cm.
1. Old Beru Files 1-18, “classified by subject”
2. Gilbert and Ellice Islands Files 1-{19}
3. Gilbert and Ellice Islands notebooks 1-{16}
4. Un-numbered files and notebooks on Language and
culture
5. Un-numbered notebooks, diaries and files on Administrative
and Lands matters
6. Banaba/Ocean Island
papers
Bibliography, documents relating to Japanese administration,
notes and histories, etc. c1902-1996. 12 cm.
7. Nui Island
papers
Legends, traditions and genealogies, source materials and
typescripts re the history of Nui. 1867-1991 and
undated 4 cm.
8. Raine Island
papers
Correspondence re history and restoration of the Raine Island
Beacon and historical and contemporary sources and notes on the
Island’s history. 1988-89 [with sources of earlier date]
5 cm.
9. Newspaper cuttings of
articles on the Pacific and history generally (including
book reviews. 1930-80 [but principally around 1950]. 3
v.
10. Philately
magazines (various, general and on Gilbert Islands),
1935-1949 and stamp auction catalogues, 1947 and 1950. 5
cm.
11. Photographic and
microfilm copies of records and manuscripts collected as
source materials. 1 metre.
[Comprising a numbered and indexed collection relating to various
islands, particularly the Gilbert and Ellice islands and Pitcairn,
1805-1975 and undated, a further collection of un-numbered copies,
1788-1977 and undated and copies of maps, charts and
illustrations,1788-1861.
12. Photographs and glass and
paper negatives. c1908-96. 1.4 metres
Including Pemba (Zanzibar) 1936, Gilbert and Ellice islands 1929ff,
Tonga 1941, Pitcairn 1940-4, personal c1908-90s, miscellaneous
Pacific views, including postcards, Paddy Macdonald June 1977,
etc.
Part III
Working/correspondence files
B: Correspondence with
Booksellers. 1959-92. 15 cm.
Booksellers catalogues 1927-early1950s are also included
with this series.
C: Correspondence.
1959-95. 30 cm
Correspondence with and re students, Visitors to the University,
requests for references & testimonials, Barr Smith Library,
Gilbert Islands Independence Celebrations: Gilbert Islands
[includes Honor’s diary of the visit], Republic of Nauru Fund
Committee, Gilbert Islands: Cultural Affairs [includes comment on
Grimble as administrator and anthropologist], and University
Appointments
D: Requests for information and
advice. 1958-85. 45 cm.
E: Correspondence with
Societies. 1959-88. 6 cm.
Correspondence with the Polynesian Society, Société des
Océanistes and other Societies, principally re publications and
subscriptions.
G: Correspondence re
Publications. 1961-96. 12 cm.
Correspondence re publications (including reviews and
distribution) and re lectures and addresses.
Artefacts/material culture items.
Woven pandanus mat, fish-hook {from Banaba?}piece of sandalwood,
typewriter.
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