ALEXANDER MUSEUM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 85, 9 April 1936, Page 6

ALEXANDER MUSEUM

HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS SPECIAL LIGHTING INSTALLED. Snecial lighting Has Deen installed at the Alexander Museum by the trustees in order that the building may be opened for inspection each evening during the Easter holidays from 7 to 9 p.m. The installation was completed last evening and so well has it been carried out that the exhibits are shown off to advantage with the equivalent of daylight. The Alexander Museum has been inspected by many hundreds of overseas visitors and not one of thorn has failed to express in glowing terms appreciation of the comprehensive display of Maori work, birds, fishes, and article® intimately associated with the early colonisation days of the district an], in fact, the whole Dominion. The city is indeed fortunate in possesing such a fine building for the housing of its remarkable collecfirm, and in order to afford visitors an opportunity of seeing its exhibits fo- themselves the decision to instal temporary lights was reached. The work of carving the sides of the 135-year-old historic Maori canoe Te Mata-a- Hoturea, has been completed.

and the finished .anoe, resplendent in its intricate carving, has been placed on the ground floor of the museum. The canoe is 72 feet in length and was capable of transporting 70 men. The work of carving the sides of the canoe was carried out by a Wanganui resident and the fact that it took over 12 months to execute is readily apparent when its intricate and minute details of design are inspected. The display of New Zealand birds in the Alexander Museum is considered to be the most comprehensive in the Dominion and occupies a considerable portion of the second storey. The birds are excellently got up and their bright plumage is shown off to decided advantage under the artificial lights. Adjacent to the collection is another interesting collection of moths and butter£jes of every kind and hue, while on the same floor are animals and many other exhibits of great value and interest. The Maori collection embraces many rare and valuable articles, and it, 100, is claimed to be without equal in New Zealand. Taken as a whole, the Alexander Museum is a hive of interesting relics and it is soon apparent to any visitor that the opinions of overseas visitors and their praise is not idle talk. In addition to being open to-night, Saturday night, Sunday night, and Monday night, the Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to mid-day, and from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. daily.