NATIVE LIFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 785, 4 October 1929, Page 8

NATIVE LIFE

Historic Water Colours In Museum THE FUSE THAT FAILED Native life untouched by European | influence was seen and studied by the i late Mr. John Webster, of Opononi, many years ago. during the voyage j that is described in the historic little i book. The Cruise of the anderer.’’ At many of the places at which his schooner called, Mr. Webster mad? J drawings of native life and custom?. These were used later in the painting ! of a number of water colours, valy. j able alike for their artistic worth and | their truthfulness. | These water colours are now amonj J the exhibits of the Auckland War j Memorial Museum, having been presented by Miss Webster and Mr. ! Georg© Webster on behalf of the j pioneer’s descendants. The curator. ' Mr. Gilbert Archey, regards them as ! a welcome addition to the ethnological J section.

What is a sword with an “open scabbard"? The answer is provided by a group of old and particularly interesting Burmese swords presented to the museum by Mrs. Ingle, of Prospect Terrace. The scabbards are little more than half the length of the swords, the balance of sheathing consisting of wire. Plainly finished and fitted with wooden hilts, these weapons are considered excellent specimens of their kind. One of th© devices used by the German troops for exploding land mines was a “delay action” fuse. This was attached by a light metal gadget which'held a firing pin in check. The min© and the fuse were buried and. after a convenient laps© of time, the contrivance corroded, releasing the firing pin. Then the mine made itself apparent. This system was employed in an attempt to blow up the railway at Cambrai. but the New Zealand Tunncllers discovered the “plant.” 'ln consequence the mine did not explode, and Mr. H. A. de Lautour, then a member of the corps, went on his W|y rejoicing, with, the fuse as a souvenir. He has presented it to the museum where it is an historic addition to the war trophies section. * * • There are Maori mats—and mats. The ornamental variety is usually sought after because of its rich appearance, but a really good Maori “every-day” mat. with historic associations, is worth having and preserving. Two such specimens of particularly ancient date have come the way of the museum, thanks to the generosity of Mr. J. W. Brame. “They are really good examples,” says Mr. Archey. * * * The war trophies section has been added to by a collection presented by the Rev. W. W. Averill and Dr. L. W. Averill- They were secured in both France and Palestine. * * * Good specimens of kauri gum are to be found in the museum. Now there is to be seen a section of kauri timber showing the channels down which the gum flows. This has been presented by Mr. H. R. Cook. a * *

Musical firms occasionally advertise small metal instruments played with the nose. The notes produced resemble those of a flute and, invariably, the device is hailed as a novelty. But there were nose flutes in Nfw Zealand long before a European musical instrument invaded our shores. A valuable specimen, richly carved, has been in the possession of Mr. A. Armstrong, of Kawak&'fva, who has forwarded it to the musem.

It joins a section further enriched by a greenstone adze presented by Mr. H. B. Moore.