A MAORI WORK OF ART.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5678, 3 May 1880, Page 2

A MAORI WORK OF ART.

Te Pokiha, the well-known Arawa chief, sends the Auckland Herald a letter, of which the folio wiug is a translation :— " Maketu, March 15, 1880. To the European gentry and to the Maori gentry who are living in various parts of New Zealand and other islands. Friends, — This is to inform you that at Maketu there is standing an excellent affair",superior to all other affairs [of the kind], the name of the thing [building] is 'The Flowers of New Zealand.' The length of the building ie thirty feet, the width fifteen feet ; the height is twelve feet ,' the walls four feet three inches ; three and a half feet is the height, froni the ground [the pillars upon which the building is\ placed]. When Sir Donald M'Lean was Minister, the wood work was commenced by the Urewaera ; the totara and the moneys given by Sir Donald M'Lean for preparing the timber was £30, including canveyanco from the bush. The shipment rrom Whakatane to Maketu by steamer was £30. The whole of the money given by Sir Donald M'Lean was £60. The timber was four years lying at Maketu. On the fifth year, extending on to the sixth, the carving of the timber was proceeded with, and at that time Mr Sheehan became Native Minister, and he supplied some of the timber, which was kauri ; but I have no knowledge as to the amount given by him for the timber. On the seven! h year the carving was Completed, and the payment for the Maori carver was £200. I paid the sum. Then the work of erection was entrusted to a European carpenter. He erected and completed the building, and the payment for the European carpenter was £119. £60 were found by myself, Mr Bryce, Native Minister, gave £iO, and Mr Mitchell gave £19. The whole of the money given by the Government amounts to £100. The sum furnished by myself was £2GO. They were payments in cash. The amount expended on food and paint was £100 The whole of the cost of this wluda (provision house) was £479. The excellency of this building is that every portion of the timber has been carved, no spaces left, and portions ornamented with pearl and with albatross feathers and tufts of pigeon feathers. Now, O friends, if you see this notice (description), come hither aud inspect for yourselves. — POKIIIA TaUANUI." "*