GIFT TO THE NATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12586, 17 October 1911, Page 7

GIFT TO THE NATION.

THE BULLER COLLECTION

"GENEROUS AND PATRIOTIC

OFFER,"

The late Sir Walter Buller's extremely valuable collection of specimens of the arts and crafts of the ancient Maori has been presented by his son, Mr W. Leo Buller, to the Dominion of New Zealand, to be preserved m the National Museum In a letter to the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) Mr Buller states that his late father, m addition to his valuable history studies, took a deep interest m tho Native race of this country, and during three-quarters of a century lost no opportunity of acquiring the best specimens of the work of the ancient Maori, m all branches of industry. He spent much time and money m obtaining de tailed information concerning the specimens, and this is on record m the manuscript catalogue which was intended to form the basis of a descriptive work on the collection. Photographs for this purpose were taken, and the negatives are safely stored m England. Mr Buller thinks the collection is probably the most important that has ever been brought together m New Zea-. land. He does not attach any conditions to the gift, but he : would wish to see tho collation properly installed *'i a proper building, and that it should be known as "The Buller Colection."

"I believe," says Mr Buller, concluding his letter, "that m giving the collection to New Zealand I am carrying out the wishes of my late father, and I also have a patriotic desire to benefit the country of my birth. I think that it will be the means of attracting other collections, which may eventually form a museum of the arts and industries of the Maori race, which will be renowned for all time to come, not only m this but m other lands." SCOPE OF THE COLLECTION. The collection includes : — A large and representative collection . of valuable historical greenstones, including both personal ornaments and weapons. A number of house carvings. The large pataka Te Takinga, at Papaitonga. A large carved war canoe, with all its ornamental fittings. A small beautifully modelled light canoe, also at Papaitonga. | A collection of stone tools, adzes, etc., including the largest and finest stone adze at present known. ' A specially valuable collection of Maori garments, two of the dog-skin cloaks m a perfect state of preservation, acquired m 1838. Weapons m stone, bone and wood are well represented, and include many of historical interest and importance. All the other branches of Maori workmanship and crafts are represented byselected specimens. In addition, the collection will be completed by sending out to New Zealand the specimens now m the Imperial Institute, m England, collected by the late Sir Walter Buller. THE GIFT ACCEPTED. The Prime Minister, m reply, wrote to Mr Buller:— "I cordially accept, on behalf of the Government and people 'f the- Dominion, your generous and patriotic offer of a collection which was gathered at so great a cost of labor and money. I personally appreciate very highly your action, which is worthy of the warmest consideration. I shall use every endeavor to have effect given to your wish that the collection be properly installed m a suitable building, and that it shall be known as "The Buller Collection."

The gift was announced m Parliament by the Prime Minister, and was received by members with expressions of ye -y warm appreciation. It was resolved to record the correspondence m the Journal of the House.