INTERESTING ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8116, 22 May 1906, Page 2

INTERESTING ITEMS.

Some of the best lands on the West Coast are found in the Manawatu district, where thcro are' large tracts of alluvial conntry suitable for close settlement, dairying or sheep-farming, Messrs G. A. Preeco and Co., of Palmerston North, have been successful in having some of tho pick of the country placed in their hands for disposal, and iu their spaco on our front page enumerate a few. Tho principals have written us to tho effect that these properties advertised are all first-class, and can be cjnfidently commended to the notice of intending land-buyers. It is unfortunate, but true, that the carving which has always been accepted as a proof of the patience of the Maori is bocoming a lost art. The magnificent ornamentations of the Wharepnni, tho splendidly carved taiuhu (a Maori spear usually carried by the leader of a war party), the mere mcro (or short club used in hand to hand conflict) aro now only seen in curio collections—tho Maoris of the prosent day seem to have lost the art of making them. Every year those articles bccomo more and more r ire and valuable, the demand increasing as the supply diminishes, and as people become mpre impressed with the beauty of the work and imbued with the importance of these relies as ornaments. The late, Mr James Buttcrworth, of New Plymouth, spared no time or money in making his collection of curios of Maori manufacture, and in "The Old Curiosity Shop" aro to be seen many of these handsomely carved wcupons of defence and offence, carved models of eanoos, greenstone axes, pendants, tikis, und so on, many of these articles being of great historical value to particular tribes, who would gladly re-purchase them had they the means. A thousand beautiful kits of dressed flax, marvels of finish, and the result of the patient industry of the wahines, and about a thousand dozen plainer flax kits arc to bo sold. Here, iu an obscure corner, aro Japanese swords of olden times, a lovely col" lection of Australian butt 'rflies, " pu" puis" und Maori mats, sido by side with carved Maori paddles, carved walking-sticks, Japanese spoars, and some specimens of ancient literature lhe wholo collection is now for sale, piece by piece, or as a wholo, for Mrs Kenniugton, the present proprietor of " Old Curiosity Shop," intends cleaning out the whole stock of curios, and second-hand furniture, and wo would advise an early visit, beforo the " eyes " are picked out of the collection.