THE CARVED HOUSE OF MATATUA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18752, 4 January 1923, Page 7

THE CARVED HOUSE OF MATATUA

. \ FORTY YEARS IN A CELLAR. NEW ZEALAND RECLAIMS ITS TREASURE. MAY BE USED FOR EMPIRE EXHIBITION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 24. In Die early 'seventies ol last century Hohain Miatatehokin, chief of the Ngatipukeko tribe, conceived the idea of building a house worthy of the best traditions of his race. His main idea was that it should stand as a memorial of the reconciliation of the tribes Ngatiawa and Utewera, between whom there existed much ill-feeling’ in consequence of murders perpetrated by the latter tribe during the war. Matatekpkia. consulted with Wcpiha Apanui and other Natives, and with Major Moir, but the matter was left in aboj'ance for alxjut two years. Then the whole tribe took it up and decided to build a house and represent in its carving all their ancestors. It was completed in 1874. In March, 1875, it was opened uy the late Sir Donald M'Lean, the Minister of Native Affairs, and many hundreds of Natives and Europeans attended the ceremony. There will be some who may remember the demonstrations on that day. In 1879 the New Zealand Government acquired the house and exhibited it at tbs International Exhibition held at Sydney. At the close of the exhibition it was perhaps rather unwisely presented to tho Imperial Government in order that a place might be found for it in the South Kensington Museum. As it measured 79ft 6in in length. 41ft in breadth, and 22ft in height, tho Museum authorities in London not unnaturally found some difficulty in providing apace for its erection. In 1881 the totara sections were shipped to London in tho Hereford, and the Japan, the former vessel carrying 19 tons of the building and the latter some 47 tons. It was erected in the grounds of the Victoria, and Albert Museum, but as extensions were made to tho museum almost immediately the Maori house had to be dismantled. It was stored in the cellars of tho museum, and there it has lam forgotten by most people for 40 yours. There was a suggestion that it should be ro-ercctcd at tho Industrial Exhibition in London in 1890. but tho idea was abandoned for financial reasons. If space can be found for it at the British Empire Exhibition it will bo a valuable addition to tho New Zealand display. Sir James Allen has been considering this project, and no doubt when the permanent officials for the New Zealand section are appointed they will gladly avail themselves of tho opportunity of making use of this valuable example of Miaori art, either as a tea loom or a place for housing New Zealand curios. The High Commissioner’s negotiations with the museum authorities are not, complete, but. it is understood that they will be rather pleased than otherwise to give back this unwieldy, treasure to the New Zealand Government. What will eventually become of it is a matter yet to bo decided. ' HISTORY IN WOOD. Tho image on each post represents )he ancestor of some tribe or sub-tribe. fThe principal one is Toi, from whom the. whole native race is supposed to have sprung; his figure is carved on the bottom of the middle post, in company with Awa and Toroa. The front polo represents the figure of Kahungunu, ancestor of tho Hawke’s Bay natives, Rongowhnkaato. ancestor of the Poverty Bay natives, and Te Whntuinpiti, another ancestor of tho Hawke’s Bay natives. The small image represents To Ngarara, who was killed many years ago while trading off Whale Island. Tho second small imago represents Te Maitaranui, grandfather of Wepiha Apanui, and of Mr Faloon, who was murdered at Whukatane. Tho carving on tho ridge-pole in front of the house represents Riwraoana and Miatoarehe, ancestors of Npalipukoko tribe, also Awatopo, a god. The imago on top of the ridge-pole represents Mokoern, father of Apanui. The twin images on tho right hand of the porch represent Taitimuroa and Wahahamama, ancestors of the Patuai tribe. The twin images on the left of the building represent Tarakhita and Tnrakitai. These Wins wore hoys belonging to tho Rongowhakaata tribe. Tunurupuru, a chief of Poverty Bay, was bv right entitled lo the first of fhe preserved liircla in fact, to a royalty on all birds killed in Poverty Bay; but on these twins reaching maturity ho would lose it, as they were from an elder branch of the family. He, therefore determined to got rid of them, and accordingly dug a deep pit across a road -whore 'tho twins were in the habit of spinning tops. One day he scut them out te play, and so they fell into the pit prepared far them, and were killed. The footboard across tho front of the porch represents Oniawn, ancestor of the Ngatiawa, and th« image on it was carved Irv a bijinn named Kune in honour of Thakobau, of Fiji. The posts on the right of the house represent Kiore, Paraheka, Telia. Pakaaho, and Hiknneliiwai, ancestors of tho ISgatiawa; To Knhahotavaro, ancestor of tho Te Kaha natives- Te Imuwhakapuru, ancestor ol Ngalipiik'eko; Tutsao and Rnncrihouhiri anccsfors of the Ngailawa; Hikareie. father of Hori Tupaoa, chief of Tauranga; Te Rangi Knwehca, ancestor of the chief Rangitukehu of Rangitaiki; and Mntekitntahi, ancestor of file Whnnnuapanui ivib“. The posts on the left side represent Te Rangitumau and Tamaruarangi. ancestors of Ngatiawa; and To Harewnka, ancestors of To Whannuapanm. Tho mermaid is called “Te Makanm, after Sir Donald MT-can. The next post represents Waikapuku, To Tnwha, Piicr.whemia, and Tainawhiro, ancestors of fhe Ngatiawa, Apanui. ancestor of tho Whannuapanm trihe- To Kikutu, ancestor of Ngnlirsugi; To Kama-a-Pakui. Tahakniorn. and Umutnhn, ancestors of tho Ngatiawa. On the inside of the porch tho figures represent Irafumoana Whotenui, and Kolu, ancestors of Neoiiawn. ........ Tho totara timbers, some of them 41t■ oi lift wide are evidently all well preserved, no pernicious insects having injured them during tho 40 years they have reposed in the darkness of a London cellar.