COOK ISLANDS ARTIFACTS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30064, 23 February 1963, Page 8

COOK ISLANDS ARTIFACTS

Return From N.Z.

Proposed

Artifacts from the Cook Islands ait present on show at museums in New Zealand may soon be returned to their homeland, if present plans ftxr the establishment of a Cook Islands library and museum come to fruition. The director of the Canterbury Museum (Dr. R. S. Duff) reported to the museum’s trust board that the Cook Islands Administration, the Maori people there, and the churches were combining in efforts to establish a library and museum. On his recent visit to Rarotonga, Dr. Duff said, he was asked whether he could assist in obtaining artifacts such as flood bowls, neddles, wooden spears and fish-hooks, together with rarer categories such as images of the pre-Christian gods. These ethnological artifacts have almost disappeared from the islands.

For the library, said Dr. Duff, the committee was anxious to obtain reference books and periodicals on the history and natural environment of the group, and would welcome gifts from- interested individuate and instotuaions in New Zealand. Copies of the "Journal of the Polynesian Society” .were also wanted. The board agreed to assist the Cook Islands committee with the loan of duplicates of island artifacts, and Dr. Duff was authorised to pursue this matter nationally.