CARNEGIE MUSEUM EXHIBIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 June 1937, Page 6

CARNEGIE MUSEUM EXHIBIT

CONTRIBUTION FROM THE NAPIER MUSEUM TATTOOING (MOKO) The periodical exchange of special exhibits at the various museums is proving highly successful, enabling residents in the smaller towns to view rarities hitherto kept in one collection The set to hand and now on exhibition at the Nelson Institute Museum, illustrates the art of tattooing which formerly was practised throughout the world. Early navigators noted that in New Zealand both sexes acquired this adornment, but women were but iittle marked as in comparison with men, being usually content with a pattern on lips and chin. A fully tattooed man had his face covered with designs of varied form.

Tattooing must have been a very painful ordeal. The operator having marked out the design, actually cut the skin with a tiny chisel, usually made from albatross bone, hafted like an adze, which was struck by smart taps from a light rod held in the right hand. A pigment made from the soot of resinous wood was then rubbed in. The operation had a considerable amount of tapu pertaining to it and was thus performed out-of-doors or under a temporary shelter. The subject of tattooing (moko) is fully dealt with in a book written by H. G. Roble'y, who spent some time in New Zealand as lieutenant in the 68th Regiment during the Maori war, being present at the attack on the Gate Pa. The sketches exhibited are his work and apart from their high technical value they show much artistic merit in the portraits. Robley, in common with other European visitors, acquired a number at adorned heads which were preserved by the ancient Maoris, but practically all were later purchased for American museums. Such objects are now rare, those in the chief museums of the Dominion numbering few more than a half-dozen.

After his return to England, Roblev, with the British Army, served in South Africa end in India, attaining the rank of Major-General on his retirement He died in 1930.

This valuable set. of pictures is kindly loaned by Lady McLean, and it will be a privilege for those interested to see Jhe original sketches by the greatest authority on this remarkable native custom.