THE TREASURED PAST

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1935, Page 6

THE TREASURED PAST

The treasures housed in the Presbyterian Hall, Hunt Street, where Whangarei’s first antique and curio exhibition opened this morning, are insured for £ 5000. That figure, however, represents a mere bagatelle of their true worth and sentimental association. The hall for the time being, is converted into a museum, but many of the articles on view are too valuable and too highly prized by their owners ever to be made available for a permanent national museum. Each of the 2500 exhibits is steeped deeply in the tradition and pageantry of the past. Their scope transcends modern civilisation, and reaches out to the richly storied past. The inspiration upon which the exhibition was built came from the Women’s Guild,- and has been augmented by many willing helpers of the Church. The .people of Whangarei and district responded wonderfully to a canvass, and have made available for a week many priceless heirlooms, usually kept in sanctuaries for private observation. The visitor should reserve ample time for the close inspection of each section, to attempt a detailed description of which would be impossible, There is something for every taste. Many Sections.

Among the bays which strike the eye are those containing war trophies; ornamental vases ajnd house decorations, metalware (of remarkable quality); Maori' and Pacific Island (including a special exhibition by Mrs A. R. Pickmere); Oriental, chinaware and glassware (particularly fine); natural objects (such as kauri gum, shells, etc.); embroidery and tapestry (including many fine samplers, dating back to 1855); adornment and trinket section (housed in a special glass case, and containing cameos, brooches and bracelets of untold value); furniture section (with pieces over 200 years old); shawls, plaids and weaving section (with much old linen and shawls of all nations) ; pictures and engravings and literary sections. The organisers of the exhibition realise the responsibility of the trust which has been placed in their hands. Every section is watched throughout the day, and two men will sleep on the premises. Extra police surveillance has been arranged for, and all bays are guarded by wire netting to a height of six feet, or encased inglass. The exhibition will be officially opened by his Worship the Mayor tonight, and will continue for the rest of the week. The Literary Section.

Housed in the vestry at the rear of the church is the literary section, featuring documents and records of the church, and rare and valuable volumes and manuscripts. Family Bibles, as could be expected, are well represented, but perhaps the most unique of these is one of the famous “Breeches Bibles,” 1599, in which is written: “They sewed fig tree leaves together, and made themselves breeches.” In all other translations of Holy Writ, this passage conveys that our original parents tailored aprons, not breeches. This Bible is exhibited by Mrs J. D. Mitchell. Probably the oldest tome in the collection is a volume of John Calvin’s sermons, 1579 (Mr H. G. Carruth). Scotch people will be particularly interested in a volume of Horatius Bonar, presented by the author to a member of the Killen family, and containing an original inscription by the great national hymn writer. Sir Walter Scott Editions.

Several very valuable editions of the works of Sir Walter Scott are on view, including first editions of the Waverly novels, and a page of manuscript in the author’s writing. There is also an edition of the “Spectator,” with a page in Addison’s hand (Miss M. Wigley).

Two books from the Duke of Wellington’s library and bearing the ducal coronet are the property of Mr H. K. May, who also shows a tiny miniature history of England, printed in volumes one inch by one inch. Another interesting miniature is a chained Bible and desk (Mrs N. Gill), copying those used in the early days of printing, when the written work was as valuable as precious metals.

There are Bibles in Gaelic and French, and also a copy of the Latin Vulgate. An ancient book giving a list of the titled families of Scotland, their lineage, and their coats-of-arms, is exhibited by Mrs J. R. Richardson.

In these days of commissions and corporations, a title deed and mortgage deed showing the seals of Charles I.

ANTIQUE EXHIBITION OPENS IN WHANGAREI

and James II (Mr H. C. Rishworth) shows that the system of land tenure has not changed to any great extent in the last 300 years. Admiral Nelson’s Victory.

A “London Times,”’ dated October 3, 1798 (Mr S. S. Reed), gives the story of Admiral Nelson’s victory over the French Fleet at Rosetta, while an Irish paper (Mr L. Hanlon) gives the first published account of the battle of Waterloo. Styles in news dressing have altered since those days of tiny headings and chaste type. Imagine how the modern periodical would announce tidings of such tremendous import! A letter written by Sir George Grey (Miss A. M. Goldie) looks as fresh as the day it was composed. Political organisers in this election year should pay especial attention to a form of propaganda in vogue in 1831. It is a Bertfiold’s political handkerchief, price 4d, with which one could both blow one’s nose and assimilate party doctrines. 1887 Marsdefi Roll/

A copy of the revised statutes of Nova Scotia, sent by Mr Wm. Ross, M.P., of Victoria, Nova Scotia, to John Munro, representative for Marsden, in 1862 (Mr H. G. Carruth) indicates that those who had remained in Canada had not ceased to think of their brethren who had sailed across the seas to New Zealand. A roll of Marsden, 1887, is shown by Mr R. C. M. Harington. The collection of documents and emblems of the early days of the Presbyterian Church in Whangarei itself makes an interesting study. Among other things are a precis of the first minute book of the Auckland Presbytery, October 14, 1856 to July 7, 1869, and communion tablets,' with the name of the church spelt “Whangarie.” Many years ago these were replaced by Communion cards, examples of the first of which are on view alongside the tablets.

Ten christening robes, each one seeming more beautifully made than the last, are in the needlework exhibition. The oldest, shown by Mrs J. G. Barclay, dates back 100 years, while another, belonging to Mrs G. Ross. Maromaku, was worked by the wife of a physician to Queen Victoria. One of the robes has done service for three generations of the Walker family, „ Mill Road, and in it 20 babies have been named. 300 Years Old.

Worked by the nuns of a Dutch convent, actable cloth, with hand-woven scenes of the German 30 Years’ War, 1618-48. is shown by Mrs J. A. Maurer. It is 300 years old, while a map of England in tapestry (Mrs Hardwick) dates back 120 years. The handweaving work is a revelation to the modern seamstress, and how some of the printing was done with needle and thread is a matter which the past only can tell.

Proclamations and passages from the Scriptures worked in perfect lettering would cause envy in many a printer’s heart. A sampler buried for two years during the Maori War is the property of Mrs Hirst, Kamo Road. One of the pieces which will catch every eye is a handkerchief, which, at one time, was used by the Empress Josephine. It is in point lace, with the “rose de gaze” pattern used exclusively by French Royalty. This handkerchief is in the possession of Miss M. Wigley. . A clerical. smock, worn by Rev. James King, one of the original missionaries who came out with Marsden, is exhibited by his granddaughter, Mrs King, of Dargaville, and there is a harvester’s smock believed to be 100 years old.

The tapestry paintings arc things ol great beauty. Framed as they are. they give the appearance of oil paintings by the Masters. One scene, especially, “The Flight into Egypt.’’ done m needlework by the late Mrs Mason, and shown by her daughter, Mrs Whiteman, is of pai’ticularly fine quality.

Pipe from Prehistoric Monster

Before knowledge of the rudest arts and crafts came to man. prehistoric animals roamed the earth, and consequently the pipe, made from the tusk of a mastadon. found in Yukon, and shown by Mrs R. C. M. Harington, is probably the oldest item on show. It is in the natural section, where kauri gum, and queerly shaped and coloured sea shells add to an interesting exhibition. Pieces of coral and a huge turtle shell shown by Mrs Halliday, and a stuffed baby crocodile from the River Nile (Mr Appleton) immediately catch the eye. A face of stone, just as hewn from Brown's quarry for Mr Ace, has the imprint of a picture of early life imprinted upon it—a natural freak of great artistic appeal.