AUCKLAND MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11151, 25 August 1899, Page 5

AUCKLAND MUSEUM.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS TO THE ETHNOLOGICAL SECTION. At the last meeting of the Counci' of the Auckland Institute, Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, curator, had on view a very interesting collection of articles, which he had obtained during his recent visit to Earotonga, to investigate the botany of that group. The Council of the Institute have of late years made every effort to increase and complete the ethnological collection, especially of Maori and South Sea Island articles. All the museums of Europe are endeavouring to increase their collections, and the German museums in especial have men all over the wdi'ld collecting articles, illustrating the life of savage peoples. It is recognised that at no long time there will be no aboriginal race using articles for any purpose in peace or war made by themselves. They will be doing everything with arms or tools made in Birmingham or in Germany. Mr. Cheeseman stated that many of the articles were gifts by natives. Some articles he had to purchase, but the cost was small.* A vote of thanks was passed by the Council t) Mr. Cheeseman, and it was directed that the money lie had expended should be refunded. The following is a list of the articles —Seventeen pounders or beaters of basalt, many of them highly finished, with polished grooves cut in the handle to admit the fingers; four beaters of stalagmite, from Maugaia; two beaters of coral rock 26 stone axes, or toki, of various sizes; four wooden drums; four lcumete, or wooden bowls; six iki, or wooden beaters, for making tapa; six wooden meshes, for making nets; 14 wooden thatching needles; five spoons, carved out of cocoanut shell; four wooden seats, the smaller also used as pillows; one eel net; three dancing masks; two fans; two head-dresses, of banana fibre; two sandals; one waist-belt; one elaborately woven kit; one bag;' eight fish hooks, wood and pearl shell; eight" native cresses of various kinds; three paddles; two clubs two spears; 10 sling-stones and slings. In all, 138 specimens. At the present time the Council have not cases in which to display the articles in the ethnological section, but anyone desiring to see them can do so by applying to Mr. Cheeseman.