MAORI CARVINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 120, 24 May 1933, Page 17

MAORI CARVINGS

PRESERVING A DYING ART

WORK OF ROTORUA SCHOOL

In ideal surroundings, in close proximity to Lake Rotorua at Koutu, Ohinemutu, is tho Maroi Arts School, which is doing a -valuables work in tho preservation of tho Maori art of carving (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Tho school was started six yeais ago in the village of Ohinemutu, and was removed to its present site, which waa considered more suitablo, about two and a half years ago. Workmen's cottages havo been erected on the site, and a small industry of great interest has been established. Prior to the commencement of tho Maori Arts Board's operations, there was every indication, that tbo Maori carvor's art would bo lost to New Zealand, as t hero wore but very few of tho old carvcra left, and since the school was started these* have died. At the present time thcro are four student carvers who aro employed by tho board, and under the direction of Mr. H. Hamilton, they havo made splendid progress. All the carving* done at tho school are a true representation of the Maori art, and are based on correct designs and copies of ancient carvings. Visitors from many parts of tho world havo spoko'n in glowing terms of the institution, and tho valuable work it is doing. Thcro is at present a very largo quantity of carved material at the school, among which are soino carvings that have just been commenced for the assembly hall of Te Auto College, Hawke's Bay. These consist .mainly of slabs of totava measuring 13ft long by 4ft wide, and about 9in thick, and in tho rough state weigh from half m to three-quarters of a ton each. It" is thought that those arc tho largest pieces of wood ever carved in New Zealand. These- slabs will bo used for tho interior decoration of tho hall. Carved window frames and doorways will also add to the beauty of tho interior decorations. It is estimated that this work will take about eight months to complete. There-is Also a fine set of finished carvings for tho meeting house at Waihi, Tokaanu. This consists of a main doorway and uprights, a porch step, and a gablo figure portrait of a Maori ancestor. ' . A largo and most interesting collection, which has also been completed, is that executed for a largo meeting house at Otaki. This building measures COft long by 30ft wide. The carvings iiro of beautiful design, with much intricate work of an exceptionally artistic nature. Tho carvings include a large number of panels which will be used for the interior decoration of tho walls, ridge posts, and pillars. There is also n, largo quantity of carved material for tho outside of the building, find there- is everything in this set that is essential for a fully-carved Maori house. This work also took several mouths to complete.