NOBLE PROPORTIONS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 255, 25 July 1935, Page 8

NOBLE PROPORTIONS

Maori Hall in New Museum

The soaring scaffolding lias been removed from the interior of the Maori Hall in the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum, and ter the first time the noble proportions of the hall are revealed. This great chamber, 140 feet in length, achieves a line dignity by reason of its height, the great lantern skylight being 62 feet, above the level of the floor. Iu the two end walls are lofty openings, through which a majestic flight of steps conducts one to other galleries. In the old Dominion Museum the Maori relics used to be exhibited in a mystic half-light, no doubt due to constructional faults, but tee Maori Hall, in which are to be displayed treasures of Native art and industry, is a gloriously light chamber, with toned walls, aud windows ou both sides as well as above.

One of the features of display will be a full-sized carved Maori meeting-house which will be erected in an alcove specially made ter its reception in the centre of the southern wall, and right opposite the main entrance.