Historic Relics Of Pioneering Days

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 67, 20 March 1936, Page 7

Historic Relics Of Pioneering Days

VALUABLE COLLECTION AT TE AWAMUTU.

The council table presented an unusual appearance at Monday night’s meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council,, when there was displayed a collection of historical relics and trophies, which have been _in the charge of the Town Clerk for many years (slates a Te Awamutu correspondent). The collection was produced as a result of a letter from tho Te Awamutu Historical Society, requesting the council to hand over these relics for addition to tho society’s own collection. Councillors displayed a keen interest in the exhibits, which included rifles used by Major Jackson's Forest, Rangers and a case of surgical instruments belonging to Dr; Harsant in 1853. The inscription on the case states that ten weeks after landing Dr. Harsant w-as appointed resident Magistrate and medical officer at Te Awamutu, where he remained until after the Maori War broke out in 1863, when all Europeans had to leave. There was also a map of Auckland Province and part of Taranaki Province, prepared by Dr. Ferdinand von Hochs'tcttcr in 1859, showing old Maori tracks, a collection of valuable carving secured during the Maori War, and a rifleman’s prize belt which was shot for by volunteers in 1878. This belt was subsequently redeemed from a pawnshop in Sydney and returned to Te Awamutu. A Bible which was reputed to have been used by King Tawhiao in the'Maori War was • also produced. The Bible bore an .inscription that it was borrowed from the Te Awamutu Anglican Church Mission library in 1566. “Apparently the borrower forgot to return it," the town.clerk remarked, amid laughter. The council decided to hand over the rifles and a number of Great War / trophies to the Hostorical Society, but it was felt that the more valuable relics should remain in the borough strongroom, as. the society’s premises, were not fireproof.