FOR AUCKLAND MUSEUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 277, 13 February 1928, Page 14

FOR AUCKLAND MUSEUM

IMPORTANT COLLECTIONS SECURED RARE FISHING CHARM CEVERAL important collections have been secured for the Auckland Museum. They will considerably enhance the already valuable selection of Maori curios already there. The .curator (Mr. Gilbert Archey) reported to the Museum and Institute Council that he had obtained an offer for the purchase of three interesting and important collections, the first of which consisted of Maori meres, a carved stone bowl and adzes, as well as a richly carved old Mangaian ceremonial paddle, carved Tongan and Fijian clubs, and other Island articles The second included a pair of old carved • god-sticks” (Maori), a flute, a bone kaka poria (leg ring for a tame parrot), fish hooks, spear points, pendants, and a pumice fire box with lid. The third was a definitely localised series of Papuan articles, canoe prow arcings, stone adzes, pottery basket >vork, fishing kites with cobweb for bait and hook combined, and domestic articles from the D’Entrecasteaux and adjacent islands. It was decided that these collections should be secured.

Last year Mr. J. R. Adams Wilkes offered to deposit his entire collection

of African and -Papuan ethnological specimens. He recently wrote to say that the collection was on Its way to Auckland, but that his Intention was now to present the collection to the museum. This very extensive collection will be a notable addition to the museum, and was gratefully accepted by the council. •Two other gifts included a fine example of a New Britain stone headed club inlaid with shells, the gift of Mr. A. Eady. The second was from the president (Mr. H. E. Valle) and was described as one of the finest of the many excellent additions he has made to the museum collection. It is an exceptionally fine specimen of a very rare type of fishing charm known as a manea or tangaroa to mahi. Tangaroa was the god of the sea. It is modelled In the form of a trolling hook and is made of a fine grained hard black stdne hlgh'.y polished with age. It was used in ceremonies connected with fishing, and was discovered some years ago on the West Coast. A rare ornament at any time, this is unique in size and finish, and is one of the treasures of the museum. Mr. Vaile was warmly thanked for his generous gift. Other gifts include:— Lady Nolan: A suit of Gilbert Island sinnet armour and a collection of coins. Mrs. Isaac Bayly: A fine talaha, cloak, adzes and fossils. Mr. A. H. Hickson: A large ko, or Maori spade, recovered from a swamp near Tauranga. Mr. E. T. Frost: Natural history and Maori specimens. Mr. M. C. Cleland: A fine greenstone adze, stone adzes and a fish hook. Mr. F. Montague Russell: A large hoanga or grindstone found on Mount Hobson. Mr. A. T. Pycroft: Nests of New Zealand birds.