AN HISTORIC EVENT
OPENING OF NEW PLYMOUTH MUSEUM.
SKINNER COLLECTION PRESENTED TO THE TOWN.
Yesterday marked a distinct advance in the progress of the district generally and New Plymouth particularly, when the museum, which has been erected at the rear of the Carnegie Library, was officially opened by his Worship thu Mayor (Mr. 0. H. Burgess). The principal exhibits in the museum consist of what is known as the Skinner collection of Maori relics and curios, which have been generously donated to the town by I Mr. W. H. Skinner and Ins son, Mr. H. D. Skinner.
The gift is a most handsome one, and affords an example of public spiritedness that is worthy of emulation by all those in whose possession there are any such articles that have associations with Native history or the early occupation of the country by the Europeans.
THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY. There was a large attendance at tlie time announced for the opening, and the first act was the turning of the key in the door by Mrs. W. H. Skinner, at the invitation of the Mayor. The opening was the signal for hearty applause, and the room was then quickly crowded with those who had come not merely to see the interesting relics, but to show appreciation of the spirit of generosity that actuated the donors of the chief exhibits.
Seated at the head of the room with Mr. Burgess were Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Skinner, Mr. A. H. Johnstone (chairman of the Carnegie Institute Committee of the Borough Council), Messrs S. PercySmith, P. J. H. White, J. B. Roy, C. E. I Baker, and W. J. Grey. The Mayor expressed his pleasure in declaring the building open for the purpose for which it had been, erected. The function marked a step forward in the advance of Taranaki generally and New Plymouth in particular. The. district had a wonderful history that should be preserved, and that could be best done by means of a museum. Many valuable relics had in the past been lost to the district because there had been no proper place in which to house them. Happily that difficulty was now overcome, and it was hoped no more historic curios would go to other districts. Continuing, the Mayor said the town was under a very deep debt of gratitude to Messrs W.'H. and H. D. Skinner for the very valuable collection of exhibits that they had so generously presented to the town. When the Messrs Skinner first made their offer to the council and the people they stipulated that the gifts should be properly housed in a fireproof building. Had it not been for them and the fine offer made, the town might not yet have had the fine building in which they Were that day assembled. The delays in its erection had not been altogether avoidable, but the building was at last completed. When the offer was first made the council had no means to erect a building, but during Mr. J. E. Wilson's term of office as mayor the money required was raised by way of loan. The Institute Committee deserved recognition for the way in which they had worked, in season and out, to secure the result that was being celebrated that day. Mr. Burgess then asked Mr. Johnstone, as chairman of the committee, to address the assemblage.
A LIFETIME'S WORK. Mr. Johnstono said the occasion marked the termination of the first stage of, the work of the council's museum committee. There had been a museum committee for a long time, and through their enthusiasm a large number of interesting exhibits had been collected. Unfortunately, enthusiasm had waned, and the room in the old Town Hall buildings, with the big'black letters on the door indicating that it was a museum, wag more like a lumber room than anything else. When Mr. Skinner made his offer to the Borough Council, however, enthusiasm was rekindled. The oil'er carried the already known condition that the collection should be housed in a suitable bnilding. In the offer Mr. Skinner was joined by his son, Mr. 11. D. Skinner, who waR now lecturer in Ethnology at the Otago University. Mr. Skinner had realised the wealth of history there was associated with the Native race of the country, and the necessity for preserving records of their "chivalry, art, and religion, as the Natives were, by the advent of the white man, doomed to absorption. If those records were to be preserved it was essentia} to retain articles in daily use by the Natives, weapons of warfare, and equipment used in the hunt and the chase, in all of which were enshrined thg habits, customs, and beliefs of the Maori. Mr. Skinner had for practically a lifetime devoted himself to collecting these relics, and securing wherever possible an account of their use and history, and after years of labor he now handed over the result of his life's work for the benefit of the town. The mantle of the father [had fallen on the son, who also devoted himself to collecting relics of Maori history and those associated with the early European occupation of the country! The offer of the collection, subject to the conditions set out, was subsequently accepted by the council, and in due course a proposition was put before the ratepayers to raise by way of loan the money necessary for the building and furnishings, A public meeting was held in April. 1915, at which the matter was discussed, and soon afterwards the money was raised. There were some differences as to the location of the museum, but after due consideration it was decided to add the building to the Carnegie Library building, and the plans were so designed that if in future the library needed moro accommodation and the museum outgrew its present accommodation, the latter could bo removed to more commodious premises and the library take up the space at present occupied by the museum. The building was ready for occupation in 1018, but Mr. Skinner not having then returned i to New Plymouth, and his son being still away in England, the time had not been opportune for the opening of the museum, and in the meantime the jiand of science had been turned rather to destruction than education. Early in the present year, however, the collection was brought to Now Plymouth and set out in the cases by Mr. 11. D. Skinner, and carefully labelled and ticketed by Mr. W. H. Skinner. "To-day," said Mr. Johnstone, "it is handed over to the town and opened to the public." (Applause.) The room was a most suitable one, the exhibit was priceless, and the cases, he believed, were the best in any, museum I in the Dominion. The town might well I hj» JKQf4 of its SMUADi»« S« ioMd it
would grow, and that others would follow the load given by Mr. Skinner. While the citizen l ) should always be proud of their museum they must never forget the donors of the Skinner Collection, Vi - hich would do credit to any museum in the world. Tic had no doubt that Mr. Skinner felt somewhat in parting with the collection, but he had taken the hard road for the good of the town, because he felt that the relics properly belonged tq the people. He displayed a spirit of generosity that was worthy of all praise. While the gift was 'valuable now, it would be more so in the years to come. These were still the days of small things, and he was tempted to predict that from that building there would radiate an influence of an uplifting character. The library was one of no mean.order for a small town, and there was also the Polynesian Society's Library, which was in some respcts more valuable than the public library. Tlicv had with tiiem the distinguished president of that society, whose labors, the speaker thought, were not fully recognised. Finally there was the museum, and it remained for the public to do its part. Short of that the place would he a failure. He urged that the financial position of the institute should not be too much thought of. It was not a money-making institution, and there were other things in life of greater importance than money. (Applause.)
"A GREAT DAY." Mr, P. J. H. White, a member of the committee, said the day was a. great one for New Plymouth. The occasion represented what might be termed the continued policy of the committee of the Carnegie Institute. When he first came on to the committee some years ago lie had visions of an institute such as now existed, and would develop in the future, and the committee had worked with such an end in view. Prom his association with Mr. Skinner, and his knowledge of him, lie knew he felt he could do nothing else than present his collection to the public, and, in doing so, felt that the best possible use was being made of his life work. His gift had hastened the advance of culture in the town by many years, and the town was to he congratulated on having among its citizens such men as Mr. Skinner. He referred also to the work of Mr. PercySmith, and said that but for the gift of the Hempton family the Polynesian library would not have been housed in the institute. In all the branches of the institute there were the elements of progress, and the town had reason to be proud of it. He acknowledged the assistance given to the committee by the present mayor and ex-mayors, and, in conclusion, said he had had the pleasure of conducting some gentlemen round to see the exhibits who knew and appreciated the Maori arts and customs, and the general opinion expressed was that the collection was priceless.
THE MAORIS' CONFIDENCE. Mr. W. J. Grey (Okato) then spoke briefly, on behalf of the Maoris, and said it was due to the great confidence they had in Mr. Skinner that be would band over the relics for the good of the public, that they so readily presented many of the articles to him. Such a collection would be difficult to find in the best museums.
Mr. S. Percy-Smith, in a short speech, said he had had 50 years' experience* of the Natives and, their customs, and be was intensely interested in them. He acknowledged that the Skinner collection was a fine exhibit, and, in his opinion, second only to that in Auckland museum. His work in connection with the Polynesian Society was principally a pastime with him. , The Mayor then moved a resolution to the effect that the citizens of New Plymouth place on record their gratitude to Messrs W. IT. and 11. D. Skinner for their valuable collection of relies and curios to the town.
This was carried with instant and on thusiastic applause.
MR. SKINNER'S REPLY. Mr. Skinner, on rising to respond, was greeted with hearty applause, lie first expressed, on behalf of his son and himself, appreciation of the sentiments of the resolution just carried. He then' congratulated the Mayor, as the representative of the citizens, on the possession of such a fine building, so suitable In design, excellent in finish, and on its suitable furnishings, the latter-being the workmanship of one of tho town's citizens. Mr. Skinner said his son, who had had considerable experience in the matter of museum furnishings, was delighted with the cases in which the exhibits were placed. Ho then paid a tribute to the energy and enthusiasm of Mr. G. W. Browne, who was mayor when the speaker left New Plymouth, and said the event of yesterday was largely due to the manner in which Mr. Browne had stuck to him. Mr. Skinner then proceeded to state that his idea was, by holding out tho bait of his collection, to move the borough authorities, and thus secure a proper building for a museum and the housing of documents connected with the early history of the district. Tho collection built up by his son and himself, and now handed over subject to certain minor reservations, was with a very few exceptions (mainly military) a purely ethnographic one, dealing with the Maori race. Tho reservations referred to dealt mainly with the right to exchange, if considered desirable, for articles in other collections of special Tarauaki interest. The great bulk of the exhibits were slowly and patiently gathered together over a period of many years by the donors in hunting'over the sand dunes and beaches once occupied by the old-time Maori, and also amongst the Maoris themselves of a generation ago. Others had been gifts from Maori and European friends. The finding of a stone adze whilst surveying the forest country inland of I'ihama in 1881 was the starting point of the collection. Mr. Skinner then gave public expression of liis appreciation to his son, Mr. nil. Devenish Skinner, for the manner in which he set out the various classes of exhibits, and, generally to their excellent arrangement.
He stated that a second, but smaller, collection, consisting of plans and documents, pictures, books, prints, etc., dealing with the European occupation and settlement of New Plymouth, would be handed over to the civic authorities when a suitable room was provided for their reception and safe housing. In providing for this collection provision should be made for space to exhibit on its floor and walls the furnishings of ft real old pioneer's home, with bits of furniture and ornamentation culled from the old identities, actual belongings brought out by them from the Old Country or made here on the spot soon after their landing. (Applause.) Mr. Skinner also publicly thanked Mr. Grey (Okato) for the assistance he had given and for his presence at the ceremony as representing the Natives. Mr. Grey made a suggestion that the committee should set tip a court for veterans' medals and military exhibits. Xtost valuable meiisla were IwUrod
away to foreign countries, and he had seen some of them in pawn shops in the most disloyal cities of lite Empire, lie hoped people who had such would be asked to deposit them with the committee for exhibition in the museum.
The function then ended, those present spending a good time inspecting the exhibits, which Mr. Skinner very kindly explained.
MUSEUM EXHIBITS.
CARVED MERES. Commencing at, the'north-eastern corner, the first ease, is devoted to a display of splendid specimens of carved meres or patu. These are made from wood, whalebone, and greenstone, and represent practically all the best designs, from a wooden club or patu to tinmere paraoa, which is believed to be the finest, specimen of design and workmanship in the Dominion. It is made from whalebone and is n. particularly fine exhibit. It belonged to the. family of Paora Kuhutui, the head chief of the Taranaki tribe, and who was killed in the battle of Waireka.
Another fine specimen is the greenstone mere pounamu, which was secured frcm Hapurona, having belonged to the family of Pnkerangio:"!. Huirangi. in the same case is n. very ancient stone Onewai, which was unearthed at Pihama, when a flax bush was being uprooted. It was lost in the fight which took place about there, and was claimed by Tautaki, then living at Oeo, as the direct descendant of the original owner. Most of the meres are associated with the native history of the district.
TOKIS. The next eases are given up to a fine and varied exhibit of adzes (toki putangata), ranging from the small carving instrument to the big fighting greenstone adze of about loin in. length, which was held for many generations in the family of Ropata Ngarongomate, of Oakura.
There is a collection of smaller greenstone adzes, collected between Cape Egmont and Awakino, and a number cf small carving chisels. Another interesting exhibit in this case is a greenstone beater, round in shape, slightly heavier at one end, about 12in. long, and said to be used, in pre-paring'fern-root food.. There are also samples of greenstone in process of being fashioned into chisels and adzes. Another caso in this section shows a variety of stone adzes, gathered from Ngatiawa and Taranaki, the feature of the exhibit being the original native handles, mostly of manuka, adapted from the growing trees 1o suit the hang of the handle according to the variety of uses to which the adzes'were put.
STONE ADZES AND HAMMERS. Next to this coinos a selection of other stone adzes and hammers, also drill points fashioned from stone and also from tupua or volcanic glass. Included in the collection are some knives fashioned from the .same material. There is also an exhibit of stone adzes gathered from Queen Charlotte and Pelonis Sounds.
. An object of particular interest in Litis case is a model of an ancient Maori drill, made by Kimball Bent from the patterns he saw in use while living among the Ngatiruanui tribe between 1804-74.
Another exhibit consists of a collection of flake adzes from D'Urvillo Island, the manufacture of this particular variety of adze being said to be confined to that island. With these are also specimens of hammers and boring tools, combs, fish hooks, and- barbs, etc., made from human bone, all brought from the D'UrvUle Island.
FIGHTING WEAPONS. Continuing along (he northern wall, on the right-hand side of the Ariki Street entrance door, are cases given over for the present to the exhibition of a number of native fighting weapons. Amongst these is a splendid sample of the pntiti, or short handle tomahawk, with handle of whalebone, to which a ; leather thong is attached as an additional security. The article is said to havje come from the Chatham Islands, having been procured, from early white traders to New Zealand, and was at once turned to deadly use by the natives. There is also a kakaroa or long-handle tomahawk, a comparatively modern fighting weapon of the Maori.
Next comes a fine collection of fighting spears or tewhatewhas, among which is the historic "mairi huakai," which was given to the donor by Tuiliu, of Te Kawau, near Tarata, of the Ngatimaru tribe, in whose possession it had been for live generations. It is said to have been used at the siege of Ngamotu.
Another historic weapon of a similar kind was secured from Marangi, of Pariliaka, who was said to be the greatest expert in the Taranaki tribe in the use of these, weapons. This particular weapon was carried by him when accompanying Rauparaha and his taua at the siege and capture of Kaiapohia, North Canterbury, in 1831.
TATAHAS. Another exhibit of fighting staffs (taiaha) is a particularly valuable section of Mr Skinner's gift. Two of these are decorated at the head with kaka feathers and the hair of the .Maori dog. One of tliem was owned by members of the Te Whiti family. The larger one of the two is of special interest. It has a series of markings by notches which represent genealogical trees, each notch standing for a generation. There are three sets of such markings, each representing 24 generations. No other instance is known to the donor of a taiaha being used as a genealogical slick or memory aid in the reciting of genealogical trees. This weapon is said to have been used in connection with the murder of the Rev. S. Volkner. Another taiaha in the case was taken at the battle of Mahoetae, in 18WI.
INTERESTING RELICS. In a large case at the western end of the room there is a valuable set of relics, most of which are associated with early native history. On the top shelf are a number of water pots or calabash. Mow is a unique collection of carved: Maori boxes. Amongst them is a specially fine carved box for containing huia feathers and another for trinkets. Another vessel is a t.nki, carved out of the top of a taha, and used for holding potted birds. . A long waka huia feather box has a fine sample of native figure carving on the lid. One of the conspicuous objects on this shelf is a wonderfully carved and deeo-. rated human figure, said to be rare in form and design. Another relic is a hinu or oil pot, for scented oil in ancient times distiiiea from the titoki berry. There are also a number of musical instruments of the flute variety, one of which is 'called a nose flute. Suspended at the back of the same ease is a long tao, or fighting spear, which was found in the liaise s£ 4ka late Mr H,
Dalby's shop, Devon Street, when ,it was demolished in 188(1-
Another curving in the fo/ra of the head of a native is said to have been part of a bird snare. There is also a potuki club, a set of latooiHg chisels and also pigments, and a pumice holder for the pigment powder. In connection with this sot of'exhibits there is a feeding funnel, used when tarooing. Tile lips of the patient become so swollen that it is quite impossible to feed in the ordinary way, and th.i funnel is gently placed between the lips and the food, after being masticated by Hie chief's favorite wife, is served to him through the funnel.
DISPLAY OF TIKIS. On a shelf below these again, is a fine display of tikis. One is the tiki of Hapurona Pukeriimi, the famous leader, who foiK'ht against tho British at Waitara in ISiO-lil. He wore it in all the engagements against the British. Next to it is one made of the back portion of a human skull, and there are several other famous tikis on view.
ORNAMENTS. Another shelf is devoted to ornaments and mat pendants, including necklets, or piripiri, made of human toe and finger bones, and beads from whale ivory. Two ivory tikis form a special feature or this exhibit. Those are said to have been worn as breast ornaments in Captain Cook's time, though travellers since that time have never Reen such in use. They are regarded as exceedingly rare, and believed to represent tho god of the ocean.
STONE ARTICLES. On the bottom shelf are a number of stone pounders and native pestals and lamps. The lamps are huge stones in which a hollow has been scooped out apparently for tho purpose of containing the' oil. A set of four pungatai or sacrificial bowls, used in sacrificing to Tangaroa, the god of the ocean, at the opening of the fishing season, form a unique portion of the exhibit. There is also in the case a tnke tuke pounder, used in preparing food from hinau berries, which was dug up at the root of n rata tree at Mangorci.
COLLECTION OP MATS. A fine collection of mats, etc., is also in the case at the farther end. These, of course, are not able to be displayed as they should be. The most conspicuous feature is a Maori dogskin coat, made of eight complete skins. This is the only coat of the kind known to be in existence. There is also a case of baskets and bags.
PISH HOOKS, ETC. One of the features of the whole collection is the display of fishhook's and articles associated with the native fishing exploits. These include, of course, the well-known type of native fishhook. Many of the bone and barb portions of the hooks are made of human' hones. Some are made from shells, and the subtle cunning of the native is shown in the variety of colors of shell,' and said to be used according to the brightness or dullness of the day, in order to attract the fish. The outstanding feature of the first case is a large nook, with the shank niivle of kauri wood and the hook and barb of human bone which was secured from the Captain Cook collection. There are special hooks for kahawai, and hook spreaders, used when fishing on a rocky bottom, and gear for attaching hooks in use when cod fishing. A variety of sizes and shapes are in the collection, and a device of the natives for securing shanks of sufficient strength and the requisite shape is shown by the twisting and knotting of the sapling tree while growing. Line and net sinkers, in the shape of stones which are grooved in order to afford the necessary security, are also in the collection.
In an adjoining.case there is,a display of metal hooks, which betray the influence of the white man upon the native. These are fashioned from copper and iron bolls and nails, and must have been beaten out with very primitive tools.
OTHER EXHIBITS. A somewhat gruesome exhibit in one of the cases is that of the skull of a Maori rat, found in an ancient midden mixed with cooked human and other remains, in an old pa called Papaka, near the mouth of the. Pnnehu river, Opunake Bird snares (mutii kaka) and poi balls are also a part of this section of the collection. A number of bird spear tips made from such articles as the ram rod of a musket, human hones, and the heart of mamaku or tree ferns, show the ingenuity of the native, and an ancient stone whip-top' which was ploughed up near Waihi, is an' evidence of ..the skill of the Maori in the, realm of games. The general collection includes a good display of hone needles and barbs and other such objects, some of which are believed to have been used for such purposes as eating shellfish. There are hooks and barbs for attaching to wood shanks.
Sandstone drill points, and bone in the process of being worked up, show the methods of manufacture employed by the natives, and cutters and polishers also add to the instructivenesa of the exhibit. Other objects, such as nails bent for fish hooks and glass from which flakes have been struck, trading beads, and nails and flints from muskets, and adzes, bear evidence to the contract of the white man with the Maori. Another case bears striking evidence to the clash between the natives and Europeans, the exhibit being made up of military buttons and badges representing many of the regiments which fought in the years' from 1845 to 1870.
A strange exhibit is thnt of a musket cartridge nude by the Maoris, and seemed at- the battle of Waircka by Captain F .L. Webster. An adjoining case contains further military relies, including a soldier's tunic. There is also a very old whaling harpoon, which was unearthed at -Mount Eliot. One article of special interest is tin old cannibal knife made of sharks' teeth let into a wooden handle and glued and bound in. The instrument was used for cutting up the human flesh. It was donated by v the late Mr F. A. Oarrington.
At the eastern end of the room is a large case corresponding to the one at the'opposite end, and given up to a set of exhibits donated by Messrs S. l'evcy Smith and A. Kyngdon- Many of these are from the Nine Islands. They consist of mats-and spears, baskets; beads, necklets, war clubs of the islanders' and models of native houses,, Fans, combs, and hair ornaments form a large portion of this exhibit, and there is also a sample of native tobacco. Island canoes and paddle?, etc., bows and arrows arc also among these-interesting exhibits.
MAORI CARVINGS. There is a fine sample of Mapri carving in the shape of a door ljntel, taken from the Korn Pa, near Oakura. Two specimens of stone carving form an important part of the exhibits. These must have been' carved out by some very hard instrument. They were secured from the Mahanga people in the Stony .giver and ,>Vw*% Srtow go-
ing into battle the natives would recite their incantations over them. Casts of one of these have been taken for the Dominion Museum and also for the British Museum. A large piece of sandstone pecured at the mouth of a river in the Gisbornc district, bearing the imprint of a huge mon foot, sent in by Captain Waller, forms a valuable addition to the general collection. Another conspicuous exhibit in the museum is the carved figure head from the fighting canoe in which Wirimu King returned from the Waikanae expedition is 1845 to his old home at Waitara. The carving is acknowledged by experts to be probably the finest of its kind. The specimen was secured by Mr W. Lawrence, of Waitara, and donated to the town some time ago. There are other canoe figure heads, some belonging to other boats of Wirimu's fleet, and others to fishing canoes; there aro also canoe stern posts and paddles of different patterns, and canoe, bailers, being scoops carved out of solid wood
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Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1919, Page 6
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4,812AN HISTORIC EVENT Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1919, Page 6
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