GIFTS TO MUSEUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 173, 25 July 1927, Page 8

GIFTS TO MUSEUM.

HISTORIC OLD MERE. SEEK MUCH BLOODSHED. MANY INTERESTING CURIOS. "Te Uira" ("The Flash of Lightning") Is the significant name of a handsome greenstone mere which has just been deposited with the -Auckland Museum through the kind offices of Mr. George Graham, whose interest in that institution is a worthy example to other citizens. As Mr. Gilbert Archey, the curator, said this morning, there is seldom a list of acknowledgements in which Mr. Graham's name does not figure. What makes Mr. Graham's interest of additional value is his extensive knowledge of the Maori race. This fine mere is an example of the sort of treasures he has been instrumental in having given into the safe keeping of the museum. "Te Uira"—every historic mere has a name and is as well known as such an heirloom as the Portland Vase is among pakehas—figured in the disastrous raid of Hongi Ika and his Xgapuhi warriors, being given as a peace offering to the bloodthirsty leader when he sacked the Totara Pa at Thames about the year 1821. The old-time Maori, however, was • gentleman as well as a bit of a desperado, and at the famous Kohimarama conference of 18.50 th© Ngapuhi people restored "Te Uira" to the Hauraki folk. We next hear of it in the Maori War when it was carried by tho noted chief, Ngakapa Whanaunga, through the Waikato campaign. Ngakapa was one of the defenders of the immensely strong at Rangiriri, which cost so many ritish lives when it was stormed in November, 18H4. When he saw how things were going and that the pa would have to be abandoned, he hid "Te Uira" in the parapet, where it was afterwards recovered. It was not surprising that he should cache the tribal heirloom, as the garrison, in vacating the pa, had to struggle through a swamp and othel 1 obstacles where a man would have enough to do to save his skin. In addition to depositing this mere, Mr. Graham has presented the museum with ethnological specimens, including shark-tooth swords from the Gilliert Islands, a gourd, aDd a nose-ring from Africa, a Maori canoe-bailer of a rather peculiar type, shaped rather like a shovel, from the Kaiparu district, and two South African tomahawks. Mrs. I'eter Buck gives a very old pahu (drum) from the Cook Islands. Covered with sliurk's skin. Ibis pahu is the genuine article, not so easy to secure nowadays, when old customs are falling jj{® desuetude. also gives a beau-*-5. an<l tortoiseshell disc «• North Solomons. another generous "J'"*- Kiv '" " insider A o! |„ W1 lllld

articles, including fighting clubs, kits, specimens of weaving, baskets, etc. He has also deposited the historic tafaha belonging to his family. In the Maori aristocracy a taiaha such as this would be treasured by the family with just as much pride as a field-marshal's baton would be among Europeans. Other recent gifts came from: Mr. A. T. Pycroft, a carved waka-huia, or box in which the chief kept his huia feathers, his insignia of chieftainship; a large black butterfly with purple spots, which is rather uncommon; and German war literature. | Mr. L. Phillips, a small pocket edition of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," written in English, but with copious notes in German on the margins, formerly the property of a German soldier. Mr. and Mrs. John Robertson, the uniform, coat and sword of Colonel Duncan Robertson, of the 42nd Highlanders, worn by him during the Crimean War. Mr. David Craig Cresser, a large collection of photographs and literature relating to the Samoan Expeditionary Force, of which he was a member.

Mr. W. L. Mills, a Soudanese coin struck by the Mahdi after the death of General Gordon.

Mrs. W. Rneburn, a very beautiful example of taniko (Maori border work). And the Tapsell family, Bay of Plenty, an excellent old rain cape made from the cabbage-tree leaf—both these gifts coming through Dr. Buck. Captain Burgess, of the Southern Cross, a very fine kava drinking bowl with that beautiful enamel on the inside that only comes through long use of the famous Island "tipple." Miss Minnie Jensen, a half-gill measure dated 1827. Mr. J. Paul, a stone adze from Rapa Island, one of the Austral Group, rather out of the beaten track, whence very few articles have come to Auckland. Mr. Robert Wright, New Lynn, a very uncommon stone adze with carved spirals on the butt—only one other being known to Mr. Archey. Mr. R. J. Monk, Helensville, a pumice pendant, something like a short mere in shape, such an article being quite out of the common. Mr. A. O. Hodge, collection of ores from the Bassett mine in Cornwall. Mr. J. P. Kosovich, an uncommon specimen of honey-comb lava containing stalactites. Mr. V. R. -Smith, fossil cockle-shells from Clevedon. Mr. Wilson, large haliotis shells from California.