FINE DISPLAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 10

FINE DISPLAYS

FUNCTION AT MUSEUM INTERESTING COLLECTIONS '•'•'■■". ' —ll '■' ■ New features and special exhibits of, unusual interest were on display at the Otago Museum last night, when there • was a large attendance at a conversazione arranged jointly by the Association of Friends of the Museum and tha Otago branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand Short introductory addresses were given by Dr. Basil Howard, president of the Royal Society, and by Dr H. D. Skinner, director of .the Museum. .The guests spent an interesting Hme inspecting the exhibits, and later saw. Mr L. E, Richdale's extremely attractive film of bird life on the Otago Peninsula. ■ One of the most interesting displays §t-the Museum at present is the collection of native plants which has.been on display for some days. This naturally attracted a great deal of attention, from the guests. Much interest was also aroused by the collection o£ paintings of New Zealand landscape and topographical artists during the first 50 years of the Dominion's life. There are- some fine early studies of Dunedin in- the display which is also notable for some.excellent paintings by a former Minister of Native Affairs. J C. Richmond, one in oarticular. a study of a hilltop pa actuary done in the field during the Hauhau wars, being very striking. This is the first public exhibition of his work \ Another interesting feature is a collection of British war medals, including the first issued Cromwell's medal for the battle of Dunbar, while there is also a fine display of papal medals from the Fels collection, These arose from the custom adopted by the Popes during the Renaissance period of issuing finely-cut medals in connection with various events. The Maori collection in the Museum is always extrenely interesting, and from it there have been selected a fine display of Maori weapons in excellent condition. In addition, there is.an exhibition of Maori greenstone adzes, not. able . both in number and quality, which, it , is stated, could not be equalled in the world.