MAORI ARTS AND CRAFTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 302, 21 September 1928, Page 3

MAORI ARTS AND CRAFTS

ANNUAL MEETING OF BOARD GOOD WORK BEING DONE The annual meeting of the Board of Maori Arts and Crafts was held yester; day, the chair being taken by Sir Maui Bomare (Minister of Internal Affairs). There were also present Mr. G. Archey, y N. Bamford, Archdeacon H. Williams, Mr. T. Mitchell, the Under-Secre-tary of Internal Affairs (Mr. Newton), the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, Mr. J. McDonald, and the secretary (Mr. 11. Hamilton). „ , .. “My taking the chair for the first time at the annual meeting of. the . board is tinged with sadness,” said Sir Maui Pomare in his address. “Since last meeting we have lost three of our members, two unfortunately by death, viz., the Hon. Richard Bollard and Morehu te Kirikau. Then we have lost the valuable services of Mr. Page Rowe, who resigned his office to proceed abroad. The board will be the poorer for the loss of the help of these gentlemen. . “My predecessor, as Minister of Internal Affairs and chairman of the board (the late Mr. Bollard), had taken a deep official and personal interest in Maori art. He was the first chairman of the board, and he sponsored the Act under which the board obtains its functions through the House. He had oftentimes told me of his interest in the board's work and his desire to see the craftmanship of the Maori preserved. In this aim my late colleague was joined by the board. We mourn his loss. Then there was my friend Morehu te Kirikau, who wielded' his influence amongst the craftsmen of his tribe in the interests of the board s work, and did great service. Mr. Page Rowe will, we hope, return for further service later on. The preservation of the crafts of the Maori was one of his chief studies, and we look forward to his help in the future. “I must welcome to our fold, continued Sir Maui Pomare, “Mr. Noel Bamford, who has taken the place on the board vacated by Mr. Rowe. Mr. Bamford, as a prominent architect of Auckland, has always made the craftsmenship of the Maori a study, and the board is fortunate in obtaining his services. His assistance is greatly appreciated. “Since the last meeting of the board there has been a good deal of development in the laying out of schemes to bring the Maori Arts and Crafts Act well into operation. A matter that pleases me greatly is the interest very many New Zealanders are taking in the work of the board. There is nothing like the support of the public in any project. I think we can fairly claim to have the public with us in preserving the art of our Maoris. Every country should try and preserve the original arts of its pioneers, and this board is making every effort to do so. The board has been in existence only a short time, but it has started well. May it go on doing its good work.” Iu connection with the past and future work of this board, it is well worth noting that at present the board has in hand the decoration of the Te Ante College Memorial Hall in Maori style, and many other opportunities are. offering for the carrying out of artistic and decorative schemes. Another scheme inaugurated by the board was the pro-

vision of a reception ground and marae •it Rotorua. It was decided to clear tlie site secured in the sana ormm grounds and a sub-committee was set up to consider the lay-out. It was de cided to call for j destructor in the principles of ait and sD his attention to be concentrated on ?he training of Maori craftsmen in this subject. _