CURIOS OF PACIFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18891, 13 December 1924, Page 10

CURIOS OF PACIFIC.

ETHNOLOGICAL COLLECTION.

PURCHASE FOR AUCKLAND.

DECISION OF CITIZENS.

Moris are now being made to acquire for the city of Auckland the Edge-Parting-ton ethnological collection, which i s understood to be the earliest and mo<t valuable collection of Pacific curios, and definite steps with this end in view were taken yesterday. The purchase of the collection has been recommended by the special committee of the Museum Council, and at a meeting of citizens, called by the Mayor, Sir James Gunson, yesterday, it was decided to acquire the collection,' and a committee was appointed U, raise the necessary amount by public subscrip. tion.

At the meeting of the council of the Auckland Institute and Museum yesterday afternoon the acquisition of the collection was left in tho hands of the committee mentioned with power to act. The price is stated to be in tho vicinity of £1000 In the course of the report of the special committee of the council regarding tho collection it was mentioned that Mr. Edge-Partington was for a long time a member of tho staff of the British Museum, and for many years was a recognised authority on Polynesian ethnology. He was the author of three volumes of plates illustrating this department of ethnology which were recog. nised. as authoritative works of reference on tho subject.

The greater part of the collection was made by Mr. Edge-Partingtou himself during; extensive visits to tbe Pacific Islands in 1870 and 1880 and included the valuable collection exhibited at the Svdney Exhibition in 1880, as well as the Turvcy Abbey, tlio Mf.inertzbagen, and Admiral Davies' collections. The status of the- chief collector estabhshed the genuineness and valuo of the collection. Now Zealand museums, the report stated, were weak in Polynesian ethnological material and Auckland being no exception in this respect, this was an opportunity of obtaining tho most extensive and valuable collection ever offered for sale.

Tho secretary reported the steps taken by tho president in connection with the matter and tho decision reached by tho meeting of citizens. Those present at the meeting had agreed to subscribe £163 ss.

Tbe president, Sir James Gunson, moved that the report bo received and the action taken approved. He said tho collection would be a great acquisition.