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ment of the exhibition cases has been made. The war material now on exhibition includes the pontoon captured by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force from the Turkish forces in their attempt to cross the Suez Canal; a collection of British shells and fragments found amongst German stores captured by our soldiers in France ; nine machine-guns, gun-mountings, and spare parts ; six trench mortars and accessories (one only of these is mounted on wheels) ; six field guns and howitzers and equipments of various sorts. A collection of uniforms and service equipment with badges, chevrons, and medals has been received from the Army Office, New York, US.A. ; uniforms also from India ; and uniforms of the Italian soldier are expected to be shortly to hand. From Messrs. Burn and Son, Engineers, Petone, a line collection of materials in the shape of bombs and hand-grenades of various kinds, gas-masks, French helmet, &o, and. a number of articles of Egyptian manufacture, including clay figures and steatite scarabs, have been generously placed at our disposal for exhibition to the public. These collections, which were made by Lieutenant Burn, are now on view in the main gallery, and attract considerable attention. Maori Section. A few additions only have been made during the year, A Maori flag, reminiscent of New Zealand's Native troubles in the " sixties," was received and handed in by Mr. R. Cashman, of the Department of Internal Affairs. This flag was given to Mr. F. J. Hayman, of Tokaanu, by Maoris of the Tuwharetoa Tribe. A Maori skull with a few cervical vertebra? still adhering was received from Mr. Hayman. The digging-sticks and prow of a fishing-canoe partly completed and worked by stone tools were presented by Mr. P. Beckett. Mr. Will Lawson, the poet and author, contributed a stone adze of unique shape, found by him at Muritai while excavating for housebuilding. A gourd of the old Maori variety was received from Mr. G. L. MacLachlan, Wanganui. From Mr. Alfred Lindsay, Wellington, we received, as the gift of Captain Popham, now resident in England, a, small but excellent collection of flint-look pistols, Japanese and Persian swords; several Boli clubs and spears were included. A collection of Pacific Island material made by the South. Sea missionary, the late Rev. Hutchins, was purchased from Mrs. Hutchins. This included a number of specimens from Orokolo, New Guinea, which have helped to fill gaps in the collection purchased in New Guinea a few years ago. Thirteen large wooden spears from the Cook Islands were presented by Mrs. Hutchins. During the year we have received over five hundred photographs of officers and men of all ranks who have gained distinctions for valour in the war. So far about four hundred have been framed and placed on view on the walls of the stairway leading to the library and upper galleries. The pictures of early Wellington and Maori photographs removed to make room for the military collection have been temporarily stored. Bulletin Illustrations. —Despite the efforts made to complete the illustrations for Bulletin No. 5, work on the drawings has suffered many interruptions. Thirty are now in the hands of the Government Printer, and process blocks are under way. The drawings required for insertion with the text, as well as the plans of the pa and fortification sites, will be undertaken very soon. Photographic Sections. —The main addition to the photographic negatives consists of about two hundred plates of Maori types, string games (w/iai) and cooking in the old-time way secured at the recent Maori gathering at Gisborne. At this welcome to the Maori Pioneer Battalion a number, of cinematograph films were secured of hakas of welcome and poi dances. A series was also secured of the ancient Maori method of cooking by steam, as well as of many of the string games. A. number of dictaphone records were also made, of Maori song and speech. These and the string games are dealt with in the reports of Mr. Elsdon Best and Mr. Johannes C. Andersen. National Art Collection. —The collections of paintings, drawings, etchings, and engravings which form the nucleus of the Dominion National Art Collection are, with the exception of the King George and Bishop Monrad set of etchings and engravings, still in the care of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts and remain on exhibition at the Art Gallery. A further number of works by the late Nicholas Chevalier has recently been received from the trustees in London. The collection includes a small bust of the artist by the well-known Australian sculptor, Mr. Charles Summers, of whose skill and craftsmanship wo have a number of examples at Rotorua, forty pencil drawings and sixteen water colours which, may be said to be Chevalier's best work. A number of the pencil drawings are now in the hands of the picture-fraiuer. The only other addition during the year is a fine work in oils, presented by W. 11. Hudson, Esq, of Wellington, of "The Temple of Diana, Rome," by (lie, Italian artist Giovanni Paolo Panuini (1691-1764). This is an excellent example of tho artist's work. Pauniui excelled in the restoration of Roman architecture, and many of his works are in Continental galleries and in private collections in England. Library- ! V\w registration, indexing, and binding of books received for the Museum library have, been dealt with as in former years. Owing to an increase, in exchanges arising out of the publication of the Journal of Science and Technology, considerable additions to shelving-space became necessary and was provided, but the continued growth of the library will shortly necessitate further additions. This year no exchanges for distribution in the Dominion have been received from the. International Exchange Service, Washington, U.S.A. Censorship of Films. —Since my appointment in August last as Assistant Censor of Cinematograph Films the duties of the. position have not called for much time. Several films only, a total length of 7,500 ft, have been examined and passed for exhibition. Report ok Mr. Elsdon Best. Mr. Elsdon Best reports on the ethnological work as follows :— During the past three years nothing has been done in the way of printing Museum bulletins, owing to war economy, and the manuscripts of three further bulletins have meanwhile been prepared. During the past year the principal work done consisted of the compilation of a considerable amount of data pertaining to Maori cosmogony, anthropogeny, and religion. The material available includes
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