GIFT TO THE NATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 97, 14 October 1911, Page 5

GIFT TO THE NATION

THE BULLER COLLECTION. "GENEROUS AND PATRIOTIC OFFER." The Uite Sir Walter Bnller's extremely valuable collection of specimens of the arts and crafts of the ancient Maori has been presented by his son, Mr. W. Leo Buller, to the Dominion of New Zealand, to be preserved in the National Museum'. In a letter to the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) Mr. Buller states that his late father, in addition to his valuable history studies, took a deep interest in the native race of this country, and during three-quarters of a. century lost no opportunity of acquiring the best specimens of the work of the ancient Maori, in all branches of industry. He spent much time and money in obtaining detailed information concerning the specimens, and this is on record in the manu■script catalogue' which was intended to form the basis of a descriptive work on the collection. Photographs for this purpose were taken, and the negatives are safely stored in England. Mr. Buller thinks the collection is probably the most important that has ever been brought together in New Zealand. He does not attach any conditions to the gift, but he would wish to see the collection properly installed in a proper building, and that it should be known as> ''The Buller Collection." «, "1 believe," says Mr. Buller, concluding his letter, ''that in giving the collection to New Zealand 1 am carrying out the wishes of my late father, and I also have a patriotic desire to benefit the country of my birth. I think that it will be the means of attracting other collections, which may eventually form a museum of the arts and industries of the Maori race, which will be renowned for all time to come, not only in this but in other lands'." SCOPE OF THE COLLECTION. The collection includes: A large and representative collection of valuable historical greenstones, including both personal ornaments ana weapons. A number of house carvings. The large pataka Te Takinga, at Papaitonga. A large carved war canoe, with all its j ornamental fittings.

lV small beautifully-modelled light canoe, also at Pa.paitonga.

A collection of stone tools, adzes, etc., including the largest and finest stono adze at present known. A specially valuable collection of Maori garments, two of tlie dog-skin cloaks in a perfect state of preservation, acquired in IK.'JS.

Weapons in stone, bone, and wood are well represented, and include many ol historical interest and importance.

All the other branches of Maori workmanship and crafts are represented by selected specimens. Tn addition, the collection will be completed by sending out t-o Xew Zealand tile specimens now in the Imperial Institute, in England, collected liv the late Sir Walter' Duller. THE CI FT AC'CIiPTKI).

The Prime Minister, in reply, wrote to Mr. Bullcr:— ''l cordially accept on behalf of the Government and people of the Dominion, your generous and patriotic offer of a collection which was gathered at so great a cost of labor and money. I personally appreciate very highly your action, which is worthy of the wannest consideration. I shall use every endeavor to have effect given to your wish that the collection be properly installed in a suitable building, and that iit shall be known as 'The Buller Collection.' "