NEW EXHIBITS IN MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16503, 31 March 1917, Page 8

NEW EXHIBITS IN MUSEUM.

NATIVE WEAPONS FROM AFRICA, j I I This latest addition to the Auckland ] I Museum is a collection from Central , j presented by Mr. F. R. Hufcchin- i 1 j son, of St. Hclicrs Bay. The collection') consists of swords, spear-heads, a musical I < instrument, grass baskets, and sandals. I! There are two swords, native-made, and ] considered by the curator, Mr. T. F. Cheese-! man, to bo remarkably good specimens. The blades are of hammered steel, the 1 hilts ornamented with brasswork, and tho scabbards are of fine leather with elaborate leather cord and tassels. These probably I come from the Niger Valley. A bushman's ! i quiver of hide with an assortment of cane arrows, with steel barbs is another very good specimen, and one usually most [ i difficult to obtain. There are also two i I spear-heads of boaten brass inlaid with { 1 copper, a lon* spear with double steel barbs, and an assegai. . In addition to these war-weapons, there ' ' is a quaint native banjo, probably from l the Congo, made of wood, and covered ' with fine skin. The two strings are of ' twisted horsehair, and the instrument is ' decorated with tufts of ostrich feathers. { The plaited grass baskets are also orna- ) men ted with feathers, and are of unusual ' design. A couple of sheath-knives and r scabbards, a handsome neck-ornament of v shell, leather-work and plaited grass, and ' two pair of leather sandals complete the s collection. The curios will be ready for f exhibition this afternoon. I J" It