GIFT TO THE NATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1258, 13 October 1911, Page 5

GIFT TO THE NATION.

.THE BULLER COLLECTION. • ''GENEROUS AND PATRIOTIC OFFER." Tho late Sir Walter Bullcr'fl extremely valuable ''collection of specimens of tho arlfi and crafts of the ancient Maori has been presented by his son, Mr. W. Leo Buller, to tho Dominion of New Zealand, to l)o preserved in tho National Musoupi. I In a letter to tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) Mr. Duller states that his late father, in addition to his valuable history studies, took a deep interest m o the Nativo race of this country, and dur- \ ing throo quarters of a century lost no , opportunity of acquiring the best spcci- "" mens of tho work of tlio ancient Maori, in nil branches of industry. Ho spent o much timo and money in obtaining detailed information concerning the epeci.j mens, and this is on record in tho nianu- ' script catalogue which was intended to form the basis of a descriptive work on >• the collection, Photographs for this pure pose were taken, and tho negatives arc safely stored in England. Mr. Bullcr thinks the collection is probb ably the most important that has over :0 been brought together in Now Zealand, d He does not attach any conditions to tho >. gift, but he would wish to seo the collection properly installed in a proper buildi ing, and that it should be known as "The 16 Bullor Collection.." 10 "I believe," says Mr. Buller, concluding y his letter, "that in. giving tho collection n to Now Zealand 1 am carrying out tho wishes of my late father, and I also have , a patriotic desiro to benefit tho country a of my birth. I think that it will bo the means of attracting other collections, t- which may eventually form a uiusoura of tho arts and industries of tho Maori race, . which wiil bo renowned for all time to enne, not only in this hut in other. '■ lands." n Scope of the Collection, n The collection includes:— ;, A large and representative collection of valuable historical greenstones, including both personal ornaments and weapons. A number of houso carvings. The largo pataka To Takiuga, at Papaitonga. A largo carved war canoe, with all its ornamental iittiugs. A small beautifully-modelled light canoo, also at i'apaitonga. A collection of stono tools, adzes, etc., including tho largest and iinest stono adze *■ at present known. y A specially vaiuablo collection of Maori g garments, two of tho dog-skin cloaks in a perfect state of preservation, acquired. in IS3B. Weapons in stone, bone, and wood are II well represented, and includo many of is historical interest, and importance. Ail tho other branches of Maori work■s manship and crafts are represented by selected specimens. In addition, tho collection will bo completed by sending out :e to New Zealand tho specimens now in g tho Imperial Institute, in England, col- •- lected by tho lato Sir Walter Uuller. The Gift Accepted. ; . The Prime Minister, in reply, wrote to Mr. Buller:—"I cordially accept, on behalf of the Government and pcopio of tho 0 Dominion, your generous and patriotao offer of a collection which was gathered »- at so great a cost of labour and money. I personally appreciate very highly your action, which is worthy ot tho warmest , consideration. I shall use every endeav--1 our to have effect given to your wish that the collection be properly installed in a suitable building, and that it shall i bo known as "The Buller Collection." t Announced in Parliament. 0 Tho gift was announced in Parliament J by the Prime Minister at a lato hour 0 last night, and was received by members ? with expressions of very warm appreciation. " Mr. Massey suggostcd that tho thanks of Parliament should bo accorded to Mr. '1 Mr. G. M. Thomson said there should bo \ for tho House to deal with it. Mr. G. Thomson said thero should bo [1 no difficulty in the Houso voting a suffit cicnt sum of money for a suitable museum. All tho scientific societies would 0 approve. v I'ho Hon. A. T. Ngata suggested that 1 arrangements might bo inado for heir- .. looms still in. tho hands of the Maori s chiefs to bo lodged in tie now museum e —not as gifts, but as exhibits, which s could bo taken out when the chiefs re- - quired them for special occasions. The s Nativo members of tho Houso highly appreciated Mr. Culler's gift. Tho Prime- Minister said ho hoped effect would bo given to Mr. Ngata's suggestion, which ho highly appreciated. ' It was resolved to record the corrospondonco in tho Journal of tho House ="' • i