EXHIBITS FROM PIONEER DAYS FOR SOUTH ISLAND ROOM

Evening Star, Issue 23292, 14 June 1939, Page 15

EXHIBITS FROM PIONEER DAYS FOR SOUTH ISLAND ROOM

GtHTEKHIAL EXHIBITION

Although no; yet concentrated within four walls, tin* features of the pioneer room of ISoO to 1800. which is to be :i South Island con tri bn lion to the Centennial Kxhilntion nt Wellington. are Gradually taking shape in the minds of the hard-working Christchurch and Dunedin committees. The North .Island room will deal with necessities used in the earliest days of settlement. The furnishing of the section for which the South Island, will be responsible is to be more typical of tho period when some of the amenities of life were finding their way to the colour.

Apart from such details as wallpaper, curtains, and ornaments, which have

still to bo deliberated upon by committee members, the main specimens of the antique furniture to be used have already been selected from homes, whoso owners are co-operating willingly in offering them on loan to the committee, though the various pieces will remain in their accustomed places until sueh time as transport to Wellington is arranged. Many homes in Canterbury and Otago will yield their treasures temporarily for this room. In spite of the fact that all the South Island was circularised, the main support has been forthcoming from these two provinces. Dunedin and Christchurch committees work in close harmony with the main scheme in view, according to Mrs Cecil Wood, who is secretary of the Christchurch committee, and in this way duplication is avoided. everything used iu the room will be authentic and linked indisputably with pioneering days. THE PRACTICAL SIDE. The space for the South Island room will measure 20ft by 16ft, with one broader side left open. A fireplace in the centre of one wail will have on either side small casement windows. These arc to bo the original windows

from, the old homo of Hr Iknke.r. in Worcester street, one of the earliest of tTiris.chunh lionsi s. The windows uro now in, the po-session of .Mrs (hikleigh Greenwood.

Intimiito glimpses of llio life oi .early settlers are suggested by many of the exhibits. ■ One of the highlights from Canterbury, for instance. will be a wooden chair made in 18-12 by the Doans brothers, of I’iceanon. from native -wood laken from die bush; lent by .Mr .lolfn Deans, together with 1 certain pieces of the furniture which bis grandfather, bringing Ids bride from Kngland in I85“i, eho.se for their iirst home.

There is a chair mice constantly, used by Godley, from the home of Mrs Darker, in Winchester, and another ivhieh belonged to Samuel Healey, which is now the property of Miss J. Storry. Two others which once belonged to Mr Potts, a very early settler of Governor’s Bay, will be lent by Lady Kinsey. Also promised for exhibition is a. cane lounge which came out on the Char-

lotto Jane, and which is in the possession of the Cholniondeley family, Fort Levy. CULTURAL INTERESTS. Apart from the severely practical nature of those pieces, other exhibits will be used to introduce a honie-liko atmosphere. There will bo, for example, the piano, which, survived to tinkle tunes in a pioneering home after spending six weeks in the Rangitata riverbed en route to that abode, as well as a harp, for which the Dunedin committee is responsible. Old-world ornaments, brass candlesticks of 1819, one of the oarliost sewing machines to find its way to the infant colony, a chess table and chess men, and an oak despatch box, the last-named brought out by Dean Jacobs in 1851 and lent by his daughter, Mrs Hewland, will add their quota of historic interest. From Miss Orbell the, Dunedin committee has the promise of a bead firescreen on a mahogany stand. Among the many pictures promised are two of special Canterbury interest to bo lent by the O’Connor family, a water colour drawing of Wakefield's two children, and a pencil drawing of Priscilla 'Wakefield.

And eo the Victorian resurrection goes on

To give the room a more personal note three figures are being planned. In this department a busim-ss > firm in Christchurch has promised real oldfashioned figures of occupants of the room, ii man, woman, and child. From Otago will come the garments to fit them for their roles ... a brown silk dress so rich that even to-day it will live up to the old tradition of

" standing alone ” ; and for the man a. emit, (lowered waistcoat, trousers, tall hut. and carpet bag dating from 1851 to 1859. The child’s dress, complete with long cotton drawers and sash, was worn in "1858,