AUCKLAND
13th October 1911

H.E. Partridge Esq,
AUCKLAND.

Dear Sir,

I have on various occasions had the pleasure of visiting your picture gallery and I consider the collection of Mr Lindauer's oil paintings of a number of the prominent and influential old Maori chiefs of the past, a work worthy of special recognition, it being I believe one of the best collections of this nature in the Dominion. The portraits of the old and fully tattooed chiefs are life like and perfect, and to us who knew the old men personally, the likenesses are strikingly real, and if preserved will help to keep in memory such men as Tamati Waka Nene, his brother Patuone, Meiha Rapata, Nahonui [Wahanui] and many others. In my opinion this valuable collection is worthy of a place in any Art Gallery. The paintings give a correct idea of the special features of tattooed Maori faces, heads indicating strong mental forces, and splendid physique generally.

You are I think to be highly congratulated on being possessed of the collection.

Yours faithfully,
William Gittos.