Later life Horatio Gordon Robley

robley mokomokai collection (1895)

continuing writing after retirement, returned interest in tattoos , wrote 2 books relating time in new zealand, moko or maori tattooing in 1896 , pounamu: notes on new zealand greenstone. in first book, demonstrating , explaining art of māori tattooing, wrote chapters on dried tattooed heads or mokomokai. robley decided acquire many examples of mokomokai possible, , @ length built unique collection of 35 heads. in 1908 offered them new zealand government £1,000; offer, however, refused. later, exception of 5 best examples robley retained, collection purchased american museum of natural history, new york, equivalent of £1,250.

robley collected māori antiquities. of collection purchased collector william ockelford oldman collection purchased new zealand government in 1948.

robley maintained lively correspondence number of new zealanders , maintained close links new zealand house during lifetime. died in london on 29 october 1930.