MAORI OFFER

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1933, Page 5

MAORI OFFER

TROPHIES for museum.

ACTION BY ARAWA TRIBE.

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

ROTORUA, July 17

The suggestion has been made by Mr H. (Tai) Mitchell, on behalf of the Arawa tribe, that the Ajhuawhenua (or “Son of the Soil”) !Cup, recently presented by the Governor-General for the encouragement of farming under native land development schemes, and which was won the first time by William 'Swinton, of Rautoki, be lodged, in a section of the Auckland Museum. Owing to the action .of the thermal fumes, the atmosphere of Rotorua- has ,a tarnising effect upon silvenvork, and it is considered that the cup would be better preserved in the Museum.

Mr Mitchell has also, suggested that the “Onewa Paiu,” which was presented by the Federation of the -Ng-a-pulii tribes to the Aorawas. to mark the 'extinguishing of the slunfbering embers of enmity, caused by inter-trib-al wavs between the two peoples, also be displayed with the cup. Thi 6 Patu was presented to Sir Apirjana Ngata during a visit to the North Auckland district in May last by Henere King!, chief of the Nga-ii Kahu, end was conveyed by Siir A, Ngata, together with Nganohi peace overtures to a . large of A'.'ftwa and 11 a pus held recently at Ohincmutu when the Governor also presented the- Ahunwhcuua Cup, together with the Ahuawheiiua trophy and the Onewa. Patu. Mr Mitchell has also suggested that n, valuable greenstone merei and a 'Maori he'd, modelled, life size, in kauri gum, which wove recently acquired in London, and which are Arawa tribal heir'oonis, should he also lodged in the museum.

Appreciation and approval of the offer have been conveyed by the museum authorities, and the trophic? 'heirlooms will, accordingly, bo lodged in the museum by Mr Mitchell at a ila-ar date.

In the con me of his 'letter to the museum, Mr Mitchell said: “May we suggest that this Onewa. Patu be placed alongside the Ahimwhenua. trophy, -be* nuse we feel that the remarlrble interest taken by Their Excellencies in nil matters appertainmg to the welfare of the Maori nnd bis history j R undoubtedly inspired in a. very large decree by 'the Ngapuhi. gesture which produced the Patu as a symbol of that inspiration.”

MAORI RELICS DISCOVERED

WELLINGTON, Jidv 17

An interesting collection of Maori relics ha R been found in a cave at Pnlli.ce;. Bay. It ha s been brought into Wellington for examination. The collection comprises 'about 50 items, 'including fishhooks carved from human bones ; spear heads, bone needleu, a black s'onc axebead, and a greenstone chisel, all of which, although they arc at least 100 years old, are in excellent condition.