ARAWA TROPHIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1933, Page 3

ARAWA TROPHIES

LOAN TO MUSEUM. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ROTORUA, July 17. The suggestion has been made by Mr H (Tai) Mitchell, on behalf of. the Arawa Tribe, that the Ahuawhenua (or “Son of the Soil”) Cup, recently presented by the Governor-General for the encouragement of farming under native land "development schemes, arid which was won the first time by William Swinton, of Rautoki, be lodged in a section of the Auckland Museum. Owing to the action of the thermal fumes, the atmosphere of Rotorua has a tarnishing effect upon silverwork, and it is considered that the cun would be better preserved in the Museum. Mr Mitchell has also suggested that the “Onewa Patu,” which was presented by the Federation of the Ngapuhi Tribes ito the Arawas, to mark the extinguishing of the slumbering embers of enmity, caused by inter-tribal wars between the two peoples, also be displayed with the cup. This Patu was presented to Sir Apirana Ngata during a visit to the North Auckland district in May last by Henere Kiugi, chief of the Ngati Kahu, and was conveyed by Sir A. Ngata together with Ngapuhi peace overtures to a large gathering of Arawa and Hapus held recently at Ohinemutu when the Governor also presented the Ahuawhenua Cup, together with the Ahuawhenua Trophy and the Onewa Patu. Mr Mitchell has also suggested that a valuable greenstone mere and a Maori head, modelled, life size, in kauri gum, which were recently acquired in London, and which are Arawa tribal heirlooms, should be also lodged in the Museum.

Appreciation and approval c-f the offer have been conveyed by the Museum authorities, and the trophies and heirlooms will, accordingly, be lodged in the Museum by Mr Mitchell at a later date. In the course of his lettei to the Museum, Mr Mitchell said: “May we suggest that this Onewa Ratu be placed alongside the Ahuawhenua Trophy, because we feel that the remarkable interest taken by Their Excellencies in all matters appertaining to the welfare of the Maori and his history is undoubtedly inspired in a very large degree by the Ngapuhi gesture which produced the Patu as a symbol of that inspiration.” FIND NEAR WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, July 17. An interesting collection of Maori relics found in a cave at Palliser Bay has been brought into Wellington for examination. The collection comprises about 50 items, including fishhooks carved from human hones; spear heads, bone needles, a black stone axehead, and a greenstone chisel, all of which, although they are at. least. WO years old, are in excellent condition.