WORK OF THE ANCIENT MAORI.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15273, 13 October 1911, Page 5

WORK OF THE ANCIENT MAORI.

Silt WALTER Mil J,Klt'S COLLECTION' PRESENTED TO NEW ZEALAND. A. GENEROUS CITIZEN'. 'Per United Pkksj Association - .) WELLINGTON', October 12. J. G. Ward read tin* following correspondence in the House to-night from Mr W I,c«. Uuller In tho Printo Minister, dated Wellington, l?.th inst: —- "'Sir,— Xly father, tho lat<> Sir Waller Uuller. in addition to his natural history studies, too!; a dorp interest in the Native race (it this country, nnd during threo (|tiitrl,ms of a wntury lost no opportunity of acquiring Iho Iwt specimens of the work of tho ancient Maori in all branches of industry for his collection. A great deal of time and money was expended li.y him in obtaining detailed information concerning tho sjx>cinions in the collection, and this is in record in the manuscript catalogue which was intended to form the lxu>;s of a descriptive work on the collection. Photographs for this purpose were taken, afid the negatives are rafcly stored in Knglnnd Tho colk-L'lion, as von will gather from tlio short description of tho gc,'...nl feo|io of the collection appended to this letter, is probably tho most iin|x>rtant that .ha* over Ik' Cii brought together in Nor; Zealand. I now desire to olTer tho whole of tho collection to the Dominion of Now Zealand, to bo preserved in the national museum. 1 do not desire to attach any conditions to the gift, but I should wish to see th:' collection properly installed in a projvr building, and that it. stall l>o known as 'The Roller collection.' I lielievo that in giving the collection to New /tenland I am carrying out- tho wishes of my lato fathir, and I also have a patriotic desire to benefit the country of mv birth, anil I think that it will lie Ihj means of attracting other collections which tnny eventually form a museum of the arts and industries of tho Maori race, which will lx> renowned for nil | time to como not only in this but in other | lands. i j " I have tho honour to be, Sir, 11 Your obedient servant. " W. Leo. IiUUEIt."

General Description of tho Collection.— Tho collection includes a. large and representative collection of valuable historical grooii-stonos, including bjth iieriottal ornaments ami we;i|>ons, a number of houso carvings, tho large pataka to takinga at Papaitonga, a largo carved war ranoc, with all it.s ornamental fittings, a finall ht\iutiful model of a light ciinoe, also at I'apa.i--tonga. a collection of stone tools, adzes, etc., including the largest nnd finest stono rd7A-> at prevent known, a specially valuable collection of Maori garments. Iwo of tho dogskin elraks in a |ierLcl state of preservation, acrpiired in 1838. WonjKUis in stone, bone, and wood are well represented, and included many of historical interest and im|>.)itance. All the other branches of Maori workmanship nnd crafts are represented by selected specimens. In addition to these spocimcns the collection will he completed by .sending out to New /calami tin; specimens now in the Ini|ieri,il Institute in England. oollcpUml bv mv father.—W. L It. Sir J. (I. Ward replied as follow?:— Wellington. AV. f.co. Puller, Erti. Hear Sir,—lt is with much pleasure that I acknowledge t.lie receipt of your letter of to-day's date in which you olfer as an unc<indilional gift the unique collection nf specimens of the work of the ancient Maori acquired by your father, the late Sir Walter llullcr. I cordially act-opt on behalf of tin' Government and people of (he Dominion your generous and |vitriotie olfer of •; colli ft ion which was gathered by the late Sir Walter lluller at so great a cost of labour and money. I personally appreciate very highly your action, which is worthv of l.'.te wannest consideration. 1 shall use every endeavour to have clTec! given to voiir wish that the collection l.e piwvrlv installed in a suitable building and' that it ,-hall be known as " The Puller Collection." ' Yours faithfully. J. G. W Mill. Prime Minister. Sir J. fi. Wartl said they all would highly appreciate the gift, and ho liopedi suitable accommodation he soon available for storing it Mr Masscv suggested that Sir J. 0. Ward -hoiilil mnve that the thanks of Parliament lx- ac.'orili'il Mr Uuller. ami Sir .1. U. Ward said lie would ninvo in thai direction al an early dale. Mr (!. M. Thomson said lie understood that as .sum as accommodation was provided 1 another handsome gift would be foithmm-

Mr Ngata said that when tho_ Dominio'i Mii.</miiii is built. numerous heirlooms ah present ill flip pii'jirsiim of Mauri chiefs eould be <lt*positi hi'n\ tliey c>nlil not luj wholly given up.