DAVIS, CHARLES OLIVER BOND (1817-87) was born in Sydney, the son of an Irish stonecutter with strong national sympathies. He was educated in Sydney and, having come into contact with Maori who were visiting there, he became interested in New Zealand. About 1830 he arrived in north Auckland, and while acting as tutor to the Wesleyan missionary children he taught himself Maori and gained a deep knowledge of the people, their traditions and customs. Davis attended the meeting held at Hokianga in connection with the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) and attracted attention by his competent interpretation. When the native office was established he was appointed an interpreter, and he later became chief translator to the government. For many years he acted in this capacity in delicate relations between the government and the Maori chiefs.

After he left the government service (1857) native chiefs continued to come to him for advice and at the time of the King movement he came under suspicion of having instigated it by some remarks he was reported to have made to Wiremu Tamihana te Waharoa (q.v.). Giving evidence before a select committee in 1860, Davis admitted having suggested, in answer to propositions put forward by them, that they should have a species of 'assembly' to manage native affairs. He attended the meeting at Ihumata to solicit subscriptions for the purchase of a printing press with which to produce books and a newspaper. It was to him also that Wi Tamihana came to ask advice when his application for money for a flourmill was rejected. Amongst Davis's friends were Taiporutu, Putini, Rewi, Ngapora and Te Wherowhero. In 1865 he was prosecuted by the government for publishing a seditious libel in the Maori language, the charge being based on the fact that he had been implicated in the printing of a Ngaiterangi satire upon the capture of Tupaea by Arawa. Amongst the witnesses were Archdeacon Maunsell and Bishop Selwyn. Davis was unanimously acquitted.

He was subsequently for some years in the employ of the Native Land Purchase Office (particularly in connection with the Arawa lands). His great ability as a Maori scholar is evidenced by his publications, which include: Maori Mementoes (1855), The Renowned Chief Kawiti and other New Zealand Warriors (1855), Temperance Songs for the Maori (1873), Maori Lesson Book (1874), The Life and Times of Patuone (1876). Davis contributed much to the Maori Messenger, of which he was for a time editor. In his later years he continued to act as a licensed interpreter, but was much occupied with work amongst the poor of Auckland and was attracted to the Salvation Army on this account. Davis died on 28 Jun 1887.

App. H.R. 1860; Davis, op. cit.; Southern Cross, 17 Apr 1865; N.Z. Herald, 30 Jun 1887.

Reference: Volume 1, page 114

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