NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13279, 11 September 1906, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

NEW SOUTH WALKS MINERALS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright

(Received September 11, 1.14 a.m.)

Sydney, September 10. The Minister for Mines, when opening an exhibition of minerals at the Royal Exchange, Sydney, to-day, stated that ho understood that most of the exhibitors had signified their willingness to allow their exhibits to be sent to the Christchurch Exhibition. He,hoped they would go entirely, as the collection was an excellent representative one of the mineral resources of New South Wales. PAST AND PRESENT OF THE MAORI RACK. [BY THXKGR.U'JI. —OWN COIIK'ESX'OXJAKNT.] CmusrcnifßCii, Monday. One. of the most interesting features of the decorative portion of the Exhibition will be the splendid Maori group suggested by Mr. Hamilton, the curator of the Colonial Museum, the design for which has been made by Mr. McDonald, of the Tourist Department. It is intended in this to typify the past and present of the Maori race, and by delineating in life-size male and female representatives of the Maoris to give the visitors from oversea, an idea, of this fine people. The modelling and carrying out of the design will be entrusted to Mr. McDonald, who possesses special qualifications for the work, having studied for some years in the life schools of Victoria, and having for some time been associated with all the various tribes of the North Island. so that he has had ample opportunities of studying the facial characteristics of the Maoris. These, if may 'be noted, differ considerably, each distinct ' tribe having its own traits. For instance, Mr. McDonald found that the Arawas possess strongly marked Hebraic characteristics, both in the shape of the features and in the prominent Oriental eyes. ' Mr. McDonald has made a large number of anatomical drawings, with a view of having his figures strictly correct. Tito figures will be modelled, and then cast in plaster of Paris, being clothed with the correct Maori clothing. The place selected for the group is the centre of the grand hall immediately under the dome. The committee had arranged for an Oriental fountain, there, but this will be now placed outside In rout.of the main entrance between two of the large flower beds. This will add very greatly to the appearance of the front of the building, as the fountain is of an exceedingly ornamental design. The design for the group, which has been approved by the committee, is four-sided. The two main figures, a man and a woman, carrying a child, Maori fashion, will stand about Bft high, forming the centre of the group. The group will stand on a circular dais, ornamented with specimens of Maori carving.