MUSEUM HANDED OVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 15

MUSEUM HANDED OVER.

MEMORIAL HELD IN TRUST.

ROLL OF HONOUR PROJECT.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S HOPE.

SUCCESS IN RAISING FUND

" Here stands our "memorial. It is 0111 witnoss of h debt that will always be with us and of a gratitude that will never die, a challenge and an inspiration to us all."

• Siniplv, yet eloquently', Mr. A. S. Bankart, chairman of the Citizens' War Memorial Committee, interpreted the spirit of tho occasion ut yesterday's official opening of the War Memorial Museum. "We are met hero to-day to accomplish the final act of a great enterprise," ho said. Here in a clime as sunny and on a site as commanding as the Acropolis of Athens we have set our monument. Not only is the architecture of this building a heritage from ancient Greece, where men were taught to value freedom, but also the inscription chosen to bo placed' on this building is taken from an immortal part of that country's glorious literature — the oration of Pericles over the men of Athens who fell in battle."

Numerous apologies for absence had been received, .said Mr. Bankart in addressing the large gathering at tho outset -of the ceremony. Among the moro notable was one from the Prime Minister, Sir Josejjh Ward, whose indisposition prevented his presence at the gathering, and one from the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, who had laid the foundation-stone of the building four years ago. Pleasure was expressed by Mr. Bankart at the fact that the stay 111 New Zealand of Their Excellencies Sir Charles and the Lady Alice Fergusson should, have been sufficiently prolonged to permit them to share in the ceremony marking the culmination of a great work. Tribute to Mr. Bankart,

After the Cenotaph in front of the museum had been consecrated and handed into the keeping of the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. Baildon, on behalf of the city, the Governor-General was asked to present into the trusteeship of the Auckland Institute and Museum the war memorial museum itself.

Addressing Mr. Banlcart, His Excellency said that before handing over the building he desired to express to Mr. Bankart the appreciation that all felt at the part he had taken in the great work. "It must have been a work that required great courage to undertake and great energy and perseverance to carry through," said His Excellency. " Even if we do not know all the difficulties we can imagine what they were. I congratulate you on this magnificent build ing, which is worthy of the great city outside which it stands. It will stand for generations, and probably for centuries, as a memorial to those we commemorate to-day." Turning to Mr. H. E. Vaile, president of the Auckland Institute and Museum, His Excellency said:—"ln compliance with the request of Mr. Bankart I now hand into your keeping, as president of the Institute and Museum, this memorial building. We have yet to see the beauties of the interior, but we know a portion is to be dedicated still more particularly to the memory of the men we now commemorate, and. if I may venture to express a personal.hope, it is that the movement to raise funds to inscribe in this building the names of the men we are honouring will be successfully carried through. I am sure such a scheme will give comfort and relief to many who loved and now mourn." Oairved Mere Presented.

"I accept with great pleasure the custody of this building," said Mr. Vailo in reply. "I am deeply sensible of the importance and sacredness of. the trust so accepted, and will do everything in my power to see that the memorial features are properly carried out. There will be enshrined in this museum, not only the history of the late war and of other wars, but also the history of New Zealand itself, including the history of the Maori race, of which we are all so proud. The effort to secure this building has been a long one. For many years we have been working for tho consummation of this great ideal. " Both committees concerned, I can honestly say, have done their very best in that direction, and the citizens of Auckland to'-day have a magnificent memorial and museum, of which not only Auckland, but. also the whole Dominion can be proud." To His Excellency, on behalf of the architects, Messrs. Grierson, Aimer and Draffin, was then presented a carved micro and a totara box carved in Maori style. In response to His Excellency's rap with the mere, the tall entrance doors swung open, and the building was declared officially opened. Priority of inspection was accorded to returned soldiers and the next-of-kin of fallen soldiers, tickets being issued for their special convenience. The museum will be open to general public inspection this afternoon and throughout to-morrow.

MAORI CEREMONY

THIS MORNING'S FUNCTION.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO ATTEND. » / ' ' An interesting native ceremony, attendance at which will be restricted to Maoris and a few distinguished Europeans, is to take place in the War Memorial Museum at 9.30 this morning. It is the reopening of the carved house of Hotunui, which has been removed from Parawai, ithe Hauraki tribal centre, to be preserved in tho museum.

The Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, will be the principal guest. He will be given a guard of honour by Maori bovs from St. Stephen's School. The ceremony, based on ancient rites connected witli the opening of carved houses, will have many picturesque features. The removal of tapu and the placation of the gods and the spirits of ancestors were objects sought in the oldtime incantations and ceremonies.

Among those who are expected to attend are Princess To Puea, of Ngarnawahia, the Hon. W. Rikihana, M.L.C., of North Auckland, Mita Taupopoki, of Rotorua, To Heuheu I'ukino, # of Tongariro National Park, and Wi Hongi, a descendant of Hone Heke. Many other natives have assembled from all parts of the province to attend )vhat is intended to be a very impressivo revival of ancient rites.