JOHN RUTHERFORD: The White Chief. A Story of Adventure in New Zealand, edited by James Drummond
This narrative is built around the extraordinary, much debated tale of John Rutherford, an early 19th century sailor who claimed to have lived for years among Maori after being captured near the Bay of Plenty.
Drummond presents his descriptions of tribal life, warfare, customs, and his rise to the status of “white chief.” The book blends adventure, ethnographic detail, and historical uncertainty, offering both a colourful personal story and a window into early contact period New Zealand as filtered through Rutherford’s dramatic, sometimes contested recollections.
Small hardcover with gilt lettering Published: Whitcombe and Tombs 1908, 1st edition Size (mm): 140 w x 200 h x 30 d Pages: 234 Includes monochrome images and illustrations.