NEW ZEALAND IN THE EARLY DAYS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 106, 29 January 1938, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND IN THE EARLY DAYS

Historical Sketches For Museum Three interesting sketches of New Zealand | in the early days, by wellknown men of three-quarters of a century ago, have been received by the Dominion Aluseum through New Zealand House, London. They are executed in water-colour, and their artistic merit is outweighed by their historical importance. The most interesting of tlie three depicts the historic Otaki Church, and the former school and parsonage, in 1885, drawm by Colonel AlacCleverty. Tlie old building erected by the warrior chief Te Rauparaha is easily recognisable, but its surroundings have greatly changed. Tlie colonel shows buildings beside it that have since vanished, while in the foreground are Alaori whares and a grassed marae. The background shows the forest rolling away to the ranges inland. Both the other sketches are of the Kaikouras. One shows the seaward Kaikouras from tlie west. It is dated 1850, and is believed to be by Sir Frederick Weld. Tlie other, by Mr. J. IV. Hamilton, is of the Kaikouras from Port Nicholson, the sketch being apparently made from the summit of one of the Wellington hills, looking toward the south. It is dated 1549.