PAGES FROM THE PAST

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 41, 12 November 1937, Page 8

PAGES FROM THE PAST

Once Commonplace Things Interesting Relics “FOLK MUSEUM” IDEA The provincial historical committees set up as part of the centennial organisation have many interesting tasks ahead of them. One work, that of. collecting “bygones.” was recently suggested by Mr. L. D. Bestall, director of the Hawke’s Bay museum. Mr. Bestall emphasised the necessity for acquiring such articles as out-of-date farm implements while they were still obtainable. Old coaches, “growler” cabs and dog-carts were also mentioned as exhibits that would become valuable in the future. A study of literature of the ’sixties would call to mind objects that would be interesting of they were exhibited. An early flail, a goat-skin sieve, a gold prospector’s pick, or a pair of moleskin trousers would al! provide background for descriptions of the early days. Mr. Bestall pointed out that many things were almost imperceptibly disappearing:. “In a year or two,” be said, “it will be very difficult to obtain one of those lemonade bottles with a marble in the neck, and in 50 years’ time they will be interesting indeed.” “Folk Museum.” With the approach of the centennial, increasing interest is being shown in the historic buildings scattered throughout New Zealand. An interesting proposal was put forward by Mr. Bestall. At a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay historical committee he suggested that a wooden house typical of the early New Zealand settlers might be secured and preserved as a “folk-museum” for the province. A committee of research workers could arrange for the furnishings to give accurate representation of the interior of a settler’s home in the ’sixties. Details, from the style of a fireplace to the shape of a tobacco jar, would have to be studied, so that Visitors from the twentieth century could step into the room and recognise the atmosphere of 80 years ago. The historical material in such a museum-in-miniature would be useful to novelists and historians of the future.