INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 1, 26 October 1906, Page 3

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

King Country Exhibits. A very fine exhibit of Maori handiwork, comprising and varied collection of Native mats, fancy kits and rugs made by Mere Tor6ngo and her family, of Oparure, was forwarded to the ChristchuVch Exhibition last week by Mr R. Somerville, of Te Kuiti. The collection includes two y.ery handsome and valuable mats, including a kurowai, used as a sleeping rug and cloak, made of the finest muka (dressed flax), a tukupu (a kind df- tutara or rain coat) made of dressed fibre carrying a facing of dyed flax leaf, and capable of turning the heaviest rain. Included-among the other exhibits are numerous kete, or kits, made* of beautifully dressed flax, much of it so carefully prepared that it almost equals silk-.'in appearance. The natural dyes used by the Maoris before the aniline abomnations came into vogue, have< been brought into service,, and the silk-like fibre here and there shows the various colours obtained from the hinau, toa toa, tokotuahu (a species of Karamu) and the bark of the raurekau. Several very handsome whariki or table centres, and a kete heru (comb and brush kit), together with samples of the fibre dressed and dyed, complete a most interesting exhibit. Competent judges state the collection is, as regards quality and care in preparation, one of the finest they have seen. "; < [■ >." ,:

The far-famed limestone of this district will be well represented, as comprehensive/exhibits have been forwarded b'y Messrs Wilson and Company, and Mr Lovett, while the Public Works'.Department secured a splendid slab from the quarry of the first mentioned firm, which, it is understood, is for exhibition purposes.