NEW MUSEUM EXHIBITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17844, 27 July 1921, Page 8

NEW MUSEUM EXHIBITS

————* JAPANESE SUIT OF ARMOUR. ' UNIQUE WORKMANSHIP. FURTHER MAORI RELICS. Numerous interesting contributions to the collections at the Auckland Museum have been received during tho last two or three month's, in addition to the important additions recently described tin tho Herald. Possibly the most picturesque of tho latest articles donated is a complete suit of ancient Japanese armour, presented by Mrs. Fyffc-Smith, of Vancouver. The armour consists of an elaborate helmet with a vizor in the shape of a mask, and furnished with plates to guard the back 'of the head and neck. There is a breast-plate, or cuirass, to protect the chost, and a similar piece of armour to shelter the back. The arms are covered with transverse plates hinged together, as also are the thighs. Other plates are guarded with beautifully-constructed chain-mail. The whole of tho armour is lined with soft cloth, so that it could bo worn without- discomfort, while the exterior is adorned with fine glossy enamel. It is to be regretted that this valuablo gift must be packed away until more space is available. To exhibit it requires the construction of a lay-figure on which to place the armour; and a plate-glass show-case to receivo it. Sufficient room for this cannot be obtained until the new museum is erected. Ancient Stone Carving. Among tho smaller articles of Maori workmanship that have been presented of late, the following deserve special mention. Mr. H. E. Vailo has donated an ancient stone carving found in the Kaitaia Swamp (in which the now-famous lintel was dug up). It consists of a rounded piece of bomb-shell iron-ore, on which a number of delicately carved spirals have been traced. It is evidently ancient, and has probably been a. "Mawri," or charm, intended to protect tho wearer from harm. Mr. H. E. Wily has temporarily deposited in tho museum tho remarkable little steatite figure (already described in the Herald), dug up by him at Mauku. The curator, Mr. T. P, Cheeseman, states that it is undoubtedly of Asiatic origin; but how it arrived in Now Zealand is a mystery. Mr. A. W. B. Powell has presented a carving cut from the sandstone wall of an ancient wharepuni near the Korokoro pa, near Muriwai; also, from the same neighbourhood, a basaltic boulder, the surface of which shows curious grooves, probably made by Maoris in sharpening their chisels, etc. Greenstone Chisel from Mount Eden. Mr. G. Graham, an old and valued contributor to the museum, has presented a fine greenstone chisel found on the summit of Mount Eden. Considering the large Maori population that must have existed on the Auckland isthmus, it is considered to be remarkable how few Maori Telics have been found on it. The curator urges people who have any in their possession to place them in the museum, where they will bo guarded for all time. Mr. Graham has also donated an antique whaka-papa, or feather-box, found in a limestone cavo at Te Kuiti. This is a valuable addition, tha style of carving being quito different from that of any other specimen in tha museum. There should also be noticed a block of limestone from Whangarei, presented by Mr. Goffe, in which there is a fissure of considerable sizo partly filled with sub'fossil specimens of the Pupurangi, the largest landshell in New Zealand. These shells are partly cemented, or almost covered, by a recent calcerous deposit very much younger than the original limestone. Mr. W. J. Ralph has donated two or three of the largest' blocks of ambritc, or fossilled kauri gum, that havo yet been received into the museum. These will form very acceptable additions. The seam of coal in which they were found was situated at a depth of 500 ft. bolow the surface in the Huntly district.