GIFTS TO KING AND QUEEN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23360, 20 June 1941, Page 2

GIFTS TO KING AND QUEEN

EXAMPEES OF MAORI ART

(F.0.0.C.) LONDON, May 20. Carved gilts for the King and Queen and Lord and Lady Willmgdon have arrived in London 13 months alter they were dispatched from New Zealand by the Arawa tribe. They were shipped in the Matakana which was wrecked m the West Indies in April, 1040. Except that the forearm 01. one of the figures has been broken and that there is .a slight taint ol kerosene about them, the presents have come to no harm. Mr W. J. Jordan, the High Commissioner, accompanied by Lord Wulingdon, are to visit Buckingham Palace shortly to present the gifts to theKmg and Queen. The King is to receive a carved wooden inkstand. There are two gifts for the Queen. One is a carved wooden box holding pois, and the other is a piece of kauri 6 U1 5 mounted on carved wood. Shells ana marine fossils are mounted in the gum. There are two small dojis for the Princesses. They were originally given, to Lady Wlllingdon, but as she thought they would make an acceptable gift for the Princesses, she has asked Mr Jordan to present them to. the Queen. The gifts for Lord and Lady Willingdon were presented to them while they were in Rotorua by the Arawas. They include a carved warrior holding a taiaha. The forearm holding the taiaha has been broken, but it can be repaired. . “I am delighted with them," said Lord Willingdon, when he collected the gifts from Mr Jordan at New Zealand House. "We were very disappointed when we were told that the presents were feared to be lost, but we are extremely glad that they have arrived at last." , , The gifts include a kiwi on a log carved from solid kauri, a wooden bowl cut from totara, a rush mat and, two rugs, '