TREATY OF WAITANGI.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1926, Page 3

TREATY OF WAITANGI.

NIBBLED, BUT NUT DESTROYED. WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. To-morrow is the BGth anniversary of the signing of the 'treaty of Waitangi. lit a letter published m a Wellington newspaper a correspoiid-nit. quoting another writer, stated that tiie original document of tho Treaty ot Waitnugi ' had been stored in tin* Dominion Museum and had been destroyed by rats. Enquiry made to-day shows that this is not tlie case. The original Treaty is now stored in the strong-room of the Government Buildings, l.ambton quay. The facts are that when the late Dr Hocken, of Dunedin, was .searching for material for his historical notes on New Zealand he obtained permission to examine tlie documents stored in the basement of the Government Buildings, and among the papers was the original Treaty. It was found that some of the sheets had been damaged, mainly on the edges, evidently nibbled by rats. Prior to tlie storing of the document a facsimile bad been made. M lien it was discovered that some of the sheets had been damaged, the document was sent to the late Mr A. Hamilton, then Director of the* Dominion Museum, and. the original papers were remounted by .Mr J. .McDonald, at present Assistant Director, on specially selected canvas, which will ensure their preservation lor all time. The original historical document is contained in a strong zinc ease. There are six or seven sheets, containing the signatures of the principal Maori chiefs in different parts of the country. Two of these sheets had been rather nibbled by rats, but with the aid of the facsimile the original lias been practically restored to tlie state when it was signed. Under the heading, “District of Txapiti, Otaki. and Manawntu,” the first signature is that of To Rauparalia, the famous fighting chief of the Ngatiawa.