Provenance: Private Collection, United Kingdom

The inscription To T E Donne Esq refers to Thomas Edward Donne who became secretary of the then newly established Department of Tourist and Health Resorts in 1901. He enthusiastically supported his Minister, Joseph Ward, in the promotion of tourism. Donne served as a member of the Scenery Preservation Board and Tongariro National Park Board. He wrote several important books, highly relevant in their time, on wide-ranging subjects, including The Maori - Past and Present, Game Animals of New Zealand and Fishing in New Zealand Waters. Donne went on to establish a nationwide accommodation network and oversaw the establishment of the scenic reserve network. Despite considerable efforts, tourist numbers grew less rapidly than anticipated. Donne left the department in 1909 and later worked in London for New Zealand's diplomatic representatives. He died there in 1945, aged 85.

Ref: New Zealand History Online www.nzhistory.net.nz

Research has yet to reveal information relating to an artist who signs J E Ward. This charming watercolour is a work of quality and in excellent condition. It has been suggested that the artist may have been a relative of Prime Minister Joseph G Ward (1856-1930).