MAORI HEIRLOOMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 75

MAORI HEIRLOOMS.

DESIRE FOR SAFETY. DR BUCK’S EFFORTS. AUCKLAND, February 25. Tlie Maoris of the Auckland province are being urged to deposit in the Auckland Museum seine of their tribal treasures and heirlooms, many of which are rotting away i obscure places. Dr P. 11. Buck informed the members of the Auckland Institute at the annual meeting last night that there was a probability that the traditional stone anchor of the Tainui canoe, now reposing in the Mokau River, would ultimately find its way to the museum Before the hereditary chief of the tribe had died Dr Buck had spoken to him concerning the anchor and the old Maori had agreed that it would be better that it be placed in the museum, although it had remained in the river for some five and a-half centuries. During his last year the eld chief had talked much concerning tho removal of the anchor, and this had had the effect of removing prejudice from the minds of certain elderly members of th< tribe who had at first been very reluctant to entertain the suggestion. A son of the chief had said that he was prepared to see that the stone was brought to the museum here. This was an example of what could be done in the matter of obtaining exhibits for the museum for this was the most difficult case, the relic being one that was extremely difficult to remove. Dr Buck said he had made every endeavour to persuade the natives that it would be wise to hand over their historic treasures to the museum. He and Mr George Graham, the only other representative of the speaker’s race present that evening, were continuing the propaganda. As a result many valuable articles should find their way into the museum. In time it was hoped that every tribe in the province would give one or more exhibits.