MUSEUM PRACTICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 16, 20 January 1938, Page 11

MUSEUM PRACTICE

LATEST METHODS

STUDENTS AT WORK

Probably the majority of people who gaze at museum exhibits give but' scanty thought, if any, to the skill required and work involved in mounting specimens to look as natural and lifelike as possible. Their idea of a stuffed animal or bird is perhaps one from which Jill the inside has been removed and replaced with kapok or some similar material, and that that is ' all' there is to it. Such ideas, however, would undergo very considerable revision were a visit to be paid at the present time to the. right part of the Dominion Museum. However, this portion of the building is not open to the general public, but a "Post" photographer and reporter have been courteously allowed to penetrate behind the scenes and to record something of what is going on there. . In a large room labelled "Taxidermist" will be found, in overalls,' Mr. F. Tose, who, for the last two • months has had around him a dozen or so officials from museums in'all-parts'of the Dominion. Mr. Tose 1 may be called! one of the outward and visible signs of the interest that the Carnegie Cor* poration of New York takes in museums in New Zealand, as also inj other, parts of the world. He was sent here to instruct those willing to leara the latest and best museum practices, which include the mounting'and displaying of specimens. He has had experience in many of the world's leading museums, and in New Zealand he has found many museum workers more than willing to learn all that he can teach in the short time at his disposal. Prior to conducting this class, Mr. Tose paid a short visit to all the leading museums in New Zealand, learn--ing their needs, giving helpful advice, and delivering lectures. But his main work while in New Zealand, which he leaves next week, has been this; instructional class at the Dominion Museum. In two months he has of course been able only to lay the foundations;! of modern museum practice, but ttiosei who have' been working under bi^ guidance have learnt a great dealj •; enough, if practised and put into opera*; tion, to keep them busy until some* one else comes along to carry on,thegood work inaugurated :by Mr. Tose.; and the general hope is expressed that if Mr. Tose himself cannot return.' someone else may be sent. Mr. Toss; is,due' to go back to the States andE; furnish a report: what happens after} that he does not know. . . HIS CLASS AT WORK.; To .watch his class at work-% most interesting. In one corner of the room onemay perhaps see sea-lions or penguins being fashioned out of modelling! clay or plaster of paris prior to being set.up.in groups, photographs of the actual beasts and their surroundings being utilised to ensure accurate' representation. Elsewhere may be seeni students modelling and painting sprays of native foliage and berries which aref so life-like that were they to be placed outside one would expect the bees, butterflies, and birds to be deceived^ '. Relief map modelling, the making of ' plaster, casts,.and the mounting: ofi animal' and bird skins are amongst the many 'other/activities going on. It;: very- soon becomes transparently ob-, vious to the onlooker, when one sees the plaster models to be subsequently; "clothed," that the stuffing, and mount-*! ing. of .specimens is -not that simpla kapok process mentioned' above. • ;•; By-;next' week the work done bjr Mr. Tose and, his students will have ' reached the- stage 'of 'ffna'lity When it can be mounted and displayed., .It:has already reached the stage .when"it!can be admired and and the photographs published today give somat idea as to what the finished product may be like; " ;.'/"■