ALASKAN CURIOSITIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9760, 24 June 1892, Page 2

ALASKAN CURIOSITIES.

Yesterday a very interesting exhibition was opened in St Luke’s schoolroom, where a number, of curiosities sent from Alaska by Mr W. E. Lingard were displayed. Mr Lingard was a member of a United States survey party on the Porcupine river, and during his stay obtained several photographs of the wild scenery and almost equally wild people of that remote and little-known region. These photographs he has sent to Christchurch, together with specimens of the furs procured in Alaska, and of the clothing and implements of the Indians. The furs comprise those of the ermine, marten, mink, beaver, red and black foxes, musk rat and other animals. Particularly interesting exhibits were the dresses of deerskin, mink fur, ell-skin and salmonskin. Most curious was an eel-akin thirtyeight feat long, and, apparently, in one piece, without seam or junction anywhere. A high degree of skill was shown in the making of these, and indeed, in the production of the other articles of dress and implements. To particularise them hers is impossible, hut mention may be made of a few of the principal articles. In the first place, there were specimens o! very carious carving in bone—a snuff-box, bones and toys. Very artistic was a lady’s workbag, tastefully adorned with beads and lined with cloth obtained from the white men. A fishing net of nettle fibre was another curious exhibit, and the same may be said of a specimen of the only musical instrument of the natives, a kind of tiny tambourine. In addition to the samples of handicraft, there were specimens of soma of the birds of the country—the puffin, the little snow bird and the ptarmigan—a species of the last named of which Mr Lingard’s party ate a thousand daring their sojourn in Alaska. There was also a flue collection of several sorts of eggs. The exhibition was visited by a considerable number of people, especially in the evening, when a very good musical programme was gone through. Songs were sung by Mias A. S. Taylor, Messrs W. A. Day and Joseph, and Masters Aherne, Woodward and Waloh. Messrs Bishop and Carew played a violin duet, and the former gentleman gave a violin solo. Mi** C. Lingard contributed two pianoforte solos. Mr Virtue acted as accompanist. The exhibition will be open to-day at 2.30 and 8 p.m., and in the evening an entertainment will be given.