Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price 1d. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1886. A Maori Exhibition.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1793, 10 February 1886, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1886. A Maori Exhibition.

1 It used to be the fashion to talk much of advancing and elevating the Native race in this colony, and even at the present day a good deal is done in that direction. The Natives are encouraged to take a practical interest in political affairs, while numerous schools have been established in Native • districts to provide for the education of their children. It has occurred to us that an effort should be made to afford the Natives an opportunity of displaying the skill and ingenuity which they possess in the making of articles and “ curios,” by getting up a Maori Exhibition devoted to the display of every kind of article which the Natives can produce. We made a suggestion of this kind sometime ago, and although up till now no practical steps have been taken to carry it out, yet we have reason to believe that the Natives of this district strongly favor the idea of holding such an Exhibition. There is much to be said iu favor of such a plan. The colonists have already held an Exhibition at Wellington of their own productions and manufactures which was in every way a great success. It would be well that the Natives should be encouraged to emulate the example thus shown by holding an Exhibition of their own. At Papawai, close to Oreytowu, (here is a large Native building not long since erected, which would be admirably adapted, with a little alteration, tor bolding an exhibition of this kind. The presest time, too, is opportune for carrying out the project. The Natives of this district anticipate a visit shortly from several noted personages of their own race, and as there will doubtless be a large following, it U hoped they will take immediate steps to carry out the idea of au Exhibition. There is no doubt that the Natives of the North Island could supply abundant material for an Exhibition at once unique, and of the most interesting and varied character. The capabilities of the Natives in this way are only adequately understood bythose thoroughlyaoquaiuted with the race and their great skill and ingenuity iu the production of many articles. Visitors to the Middle Island and the Australian Colonies must have noticed that a considerable demand exists in the principal towns ,of these places for Maori curios, such as carvings,. mats, greenstones, meres, and various kinds of weapons and implements. An Exhibition of the kind suggested would bring together in one building the best specimens of everything which could be produced by Maori ssill and handicraft. Public attention would thusj be directed to those Native productions, with the result that the bulk of, the articles exhibited would tiud a ready sale. This would secure a satisfactory financial result to the exhibitors, while the large attendance which so novel a show must attract, would probably not only pay all the expenses, but also leave a satisfactory surplus iu baud. Besides this, the sale of the bulk of the articles shown at the Exhibition would probably result in creating a regular market and a permanent and largely increased demaud for such articles. This would enable many of the Natives to tiud profitable employment for a part of their time in making those articles, which they would probably eagerly take up, knowing that their productions would tiud a ready sale. We think that the Natives in this district should at once take this matter op in a practical way. They should bold a public meetlog - inviting Europeans also to attend—and elect a Committee to take in band the arrangements for getting up a Maori Exhibition. With a good working Committee of Natives and Europeans mixed, and an active and able Secretary, the undertaking could soon be got under way. No great expense need be incurred. The building at Papawai is there ready to hand and eoqld easily be made suitable for the purpose of an Exbibiti- 'ii. Then the Papawai Natives have a considerable cumber of large beautifully carved ' slabs close by, which it has taken many ; years to execute, and which will shortly be I used in Meeting a meeting bouse. This i

would bo a valuable adjunct to the other building. Bo far there are uo difficulties. It is now necessary that the tribes in variou - parts of the Island should be communicated with in order to test their feeling towards the proposal. We find among the Natives of this district a favorable opinion on the matter ; Mr C. J. Jury, who exercises considerable influence among them, and is highly respected, has shown an earnest desire to forward the project, while Mr Buchanan, the member for the district, has kindly promised to bring the affair under the notice of the Government. The Mayor of Greytown, Mr F. H. Wood, with other gentlemen, have also signified their willingness to assist the proposed Exhibition in every possible way. This being the case, we feel confident that if the preliminary steps were taken, there is every prospect that the Exhibition would meet a large and encouraging measure of support, and result ultimately in a most gratifying success being achieved.

It is certain that an Exhibition of this kind would bring a large number of Native visitors to this district, and the hospitality of the Waitarapa Natives would thus be taxed to entertain them, but as the cost of living to the Natives is so small compared with that of the white people, we feel sure that the admission money and what would be raised by entertainments provided for European visitors, would be a long way beyond all requited for this purpose. Steps should be taken to open the Exhibition in a fitting manner. We should much like to see his Excellency the Governor up this way on snob an occasion, and be would doubtless find a pleasure in opening an Exhibition of such unusual interest. We daresay also that such a ceremony would be attended by the Native Minister and some other members of the Government, while speeches could be made of a suitable character to the occasion. This, however, is rather anticipating the actnal inauguration of an affair, the preliminary arrangements for which have yet to be entered upon. But that the idea of holding such an Exhibition is a good and feasible one, we have no donbt it all. When we consider the object of the Ezbibi tion—the numerous articles of historic interest which would be collected, from the old war canoe downward—the specimens of their own industry in the shape of mats, rugs, baskets, Ac., and the sale they would|have, and the bringing together in one meeting of the celebrities uf both Natives and Europeans, and the prospect of it being to the Natives a success financially—we wish the proposal every success, and shall heartily work towards accomplishing the object.