MAORI ART SPECIMENS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19231, 21 January 1926, Page 8

MAORI ART SPECIMENS.

It is pleasing to note the number of specimens of ancient Maori art which have been added to the collection in the Auckland Museum recently. At meeting after meeting the council of the Auckland Institute has heard of new accretions to its very valuable stock of these priceless relics of a time which will never recur. The batch notified yesterday appears to be a notable addition. It is essential that the collection should be made as complete and as perfect as is humanly possible. Of all places in the world Auckland ought to preserve and cherish examples of the artistic skill, manual dexterity and infinite patience of the old-time Maori. They have an historic and an ethnographical value. Also they should have a sentimental value to all New Zealanders. Far too many specimens have been allowed to go out of the, country to find a place in foreign collections. They may be prized and appreciated by scientific men elsewhere, but they cannot mean as much to the ordinary museum visitor as they should in Auckland. They are visible symbols of the continuity of history from the days when the Maori had sole possession of New Zealand up to the present time. Therefore, while opportunities may have been missed in the past, it is reassuring to find such activity as now prevails in securing the best specimens remaining. Also it may be noted that in this direction, as in many others, Auckland is benefiting by the splendid generosity and public spirit of private citizens, not excluding members of the Maori race themselves. It adds a fitting touch to a collection which will grow more valuable with the passing of time.