GIFTS TO THE MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19833, 31 December 1927, Page 10

GIFTS TO THE MUSEUM.

- —- - /\G USED AT WATERLOO. SOLOMON ISLANDERS* SKULLS* A link with Waterloo is provided by the presentation of a large Union Jack to the Auckland Museum. The flag has an interesting lustory. It was carried into action by tcrfc Royal Scots Greys, and after a desperate fight was carried off by the French. The triumph was short-lived, however, for a Captain Kinchant, rallying his men, recaptured the flag and disarmed ths enemy forces. Apparently a pistol carried by a French officer escaped notice, and when Captiiin Kinchant's back was turned the Frenchman fatally shot him in the back. Swift retribution was meted out to the Frenchman for his treachery. The flag was Jiater presented by the regiment to Captain Ivinchant's family, end eventually came into the possession of Mr. Noel P. Adams, of Wharekawa, a descendant ol the gallant captain, who has now presented it to the museum. A. suit of cocoanut fibre armour from the Gilbert Islands, and a. miscellaneous collection of coins have been presented by Lady Nolan. Several interesting gifts have been made by Mr. H. E. Vaile, of Auckland. These comprise two greenstone scraper-pendants from North Auckland, a Chinese mirror, and a Tibetan prayer wheel From Mr. C. A. Cowan, of the Solomon Islands, three native skulls, prepared for burial, have lately been received. They have resin plugs in the eye sockets on a. wooden plug in the nose, while the face of one is completely masked in black. A large obsidian core, from which flakes were struck by the Maoris in making knives, has been presented by Dr. Bucknill, of Tauranga. Mr. C. Montague Russell, of Remuera, recently unearthed a Maori grindstone or hoanga in the crater of Mount Hobson, and he has forwarded the relic to the museum.