MAORI CARVINGS FETCH LOW PRICES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 367, 30 May 1928, Page 13

MAORI CARVINGS FETCH LOW PRICES

MAGGIE PAPAKURA’S MAT A small piece of Maori carving from the historic whare of Sophia the guide, destroyed during the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, was offered for sale in Auckland yesterday. For a time the wjod failed to evoke a bid. Evcmtually, however, it changed ownership for 7s 6d. Sophia, tie former owner of the whare (which was partially buried in the debris that followed the eruption) won renown, for her heroic conduct on that memorable occasion. For many years she was a familiar figure and an object of much interest to tourists at Rotorua. Though she lived in the thermal district for so long, Sophia was really a Northerner by birth. Her father was a Scotch, storekeeper at the Bay of Islands. There is a notable portrait of the old guide in the Lindauer Collection at the Auckland Art Gallery.

The collection of Maori curios, on the whole, was disposed of at exceedingly low prices. Two canoe prows, both good examples of the carver’s art, were sold for 10s each.

The principal object of interest, tho carved front of a whare-puni, was withdrawn at £ 30. the auctioneer declaring that he would not accept less than £SO. A splendidly carved post was sold for £lB. On© of the gems of the collection, a kumara spade, admirably carved, went for £4. An old slab, slightly carved, was sold for £1 ss, a canoe paddle at £1 10s 6d, a carved taiaha at £2 10s, and an uncarved taiaha (evidently a weapon for ceremonial use by women), at £1 10s. A piu piu mat, originally in the possession of Maggie Papakura, at Rotorua, realised only £l. Tokis (adzes) went for 10s and less, while a pair of Moa bones were sold for 2s 6d each. ns66ufdhav