AUCKLAND MUSEUM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 150, 25 June 1907, Page 3

AUCKLAND MUSEUM.

I ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS. Mr Mitchelson has presented to the Auckland Museum an.exceptionally fine collection of kauri gum specimens, there being no less than 250 pieces in two large show cases. It was displayed at the Christchurch Exhibition and at the Auckland Winter Show. The gift is all the more valuable when we consider that the rapidly decreasing supplies of kauri gum point to a complete failure from exhaustion in that direction very soon. Several of the specimens are absolutely unique. There is no other museum in the world with such a magnificent display of this wonderful natural product, and it is a matter for congratulation that Auckland should possess, in Mr. Mitchelson, a citizen whose foresight has resulted in this handsome bequest to posterity. Some interesting specimens of Maori implements have been donated by Mr. G. Graham, junior, who has previously contributed many other articles of the same kind. A wickerwork birdcage from the Urewera Country, a dredge and net (for obtaining deep-water mussels) from Rotorua, a carefully prepared net sinker and a few flax-beaters of a very uncommon type, form valuable additions to the Maori section. Mr G. V. New, of Pahi, Kaipara, has forwarded a specimen of the "lesser" frigate bird, which he secured at Paki, Kaipara. Mr New noticed the bird trying to capture a young turkey, and, on giving chase, he secured the feathered stranger, which had unsuspiciously setled on tbe ground. The length from head to tip of tail is only 3ft, but from tip to tip of wing the bird measures oft 9in. It is very seldom that these birds come so far south as New Zealand, only one or two instances of their appearance here being recorded. A sufficient index to the character of the bird is afforded by its title, " the vulture of the sea." Mr J. M. McLaren, of London, who formerly resided in India, has given a mounted antelope head and a pair of takon horn?., which are now extremely rare. Mr Ross, of the South British Insurance Office, Calcutta, has presented a box of fossil oyster shells., which wore found in excavating; for the company's new buildings there. Mr C. Seegner has forwarded an interesting specimen, consisting of a baby Tuatara lizard, which was secured while in the act of leaving its shell. A Malay na-tive-made basket and two specimens of the pensile crest of an oriole, from the same place, have been contributed by I Mr F. H. Carr. Mr H. Johnstone, of Raglan, has forwarded a pair of remarkably fine carved soapstone images from Alaska, and Mr. Sanderson Black, Opotiki, a carved Maori figure from the post of an old pa.