MAORI MANUSCRIPTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 968, 8 November 1910, Page 4

MAORI MANUSCRIPTS.

■ SOME TREASURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. The following letter from the Prime Minister was some time ago posted to roach the Hon. George Fowlds, who is .representing New Zealand at the opening ■of the Union Parliament of South Africa, at Cape Town:— "Some time ago some valuable old Maori manuscript was presented by Sir George Grey to the Cape Town Museum, and at a subsequent date the New Zealand Government approached the Cape Government with a view to having it transferred to this Dominion. The terms of the gift prevented the Cape Government from absolutely parting with the manuscript, but a Bill was_ introduced in which it was proposed to Rive the Now Zealand Government a perpetual loan. The Bill was,- however, thrown out in the Upper House, and, I believe, no further action has since been taken. It is now desired that if possible the manuscript be returned to the Dominion, and I shall be glad'if you-will cause inquiries to be made whilst in Cape Town with the object of ascertaining whether the transfer can be effected. The file of papers m connection with the matter has been mislaid, and consequently detailed particulars cannot be supplied.-" The following cable was also sent by Sir Joseph Ward to Mr.'Fowlds-.— "Sir George Grey manuscript, Cape Town Museum. Will be glad if can arrange transfer New Zealand. In reply, Mr. Fowlds cabled on November 5: ; . "Negotiating Grey ~ manuscript. _ Arranged meeting trustees before leaving."