GIFTS TO THE DOMINION MUSEUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 57

GIFTS TO THE DOMINION MUSEUM.

The Dominion Museum has benefited to a very appreciable extent by the will of a lady who recently died in Scotland, Mrs Blair, of St. Mary's Tower, Birnam. The {rift was made in memory of Mrs Blaix'e first husband, Mr Archibald Watts, at one timo a resident of Hawke's Bay, and the whole collection is reminiscent of the Soufcfr beas. The most notable features in the weapons, carved work,-and ceremonial garments section inoludo two " taiaha," blackened with . age and use, and two " tewhatewha,*' that excellently carved /weapon which looks like a battleaxe frivolously de» cbrated with feathers, and in the deft, experienced hands of the Maori warrior proved so deadly. There are also eoma good specimens of slender ceremonial padales (used, be it remembered, merely as decorative' adjuncts), or.e uf them being specially interesting as being stencilled instead of carved in a well-known design, j Two very fine examples of tho Maori jewej I casket, or " 'waka-huia," elaborately carved. | boxes for holding choice feathers, and a ■ very old shell trumpet or "pu tatara,'' the carved mouthpiece of which is with agp, attract attention. ■ Among tha ceremonial garments are some feather oloaksi and capes, and a very fine~ flax garment, with an exquisitely worked border in the well-known '' taniko " design. But the pearl of the collection, as far as, „ perfection of craftmanship goes;, is assuredly tho item set down in the catalogue as "an. inlaid cabinet." As a triumph of handiwoi'k, and an amazing example.-of the decorative possibilities of our New Zealand woods, this piece- of work should be ati once a lesson and an inspiration. The woods principally employed are kauri and puriri, of which tho peculiarities of graining and colouring are exploited in a truly artistic manner. Most of the decoration a carried out in inlay, the doors of the tripla cabinet, which surmounts the writing showing a large and elaborate landscape hi tho .central door and figure subjects on either side.

A beautifully inlaid workbbx, such as It delighted the heart of an enthusiastic needlewoman of the Victorian period to possess, forms a fitting companion to the inlaid writing table, both being evidently the work of tne same patient artificer. ' ' Some_ little time must elapse before theee interesting exhibits can bo available for inspection . by the public, for in the overcrowded state of the .Dominion Museum, the space of which is heavily taxed, careful rearrangement, ,as well as the temporary seclusion of some existing exhibits, is always necessary before fresh gifts oan bo suitably shown.