Maori Antiquities.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XII, 20 September 1902, Page 717

Maori Antiquities.

There is a proposal on foot in Wellington to establish there a National Maori Museum, in which shall be preserved such antiquities of the Polynesian race as are procurable. It is well that the fullest provision should be made, and that as soon as possible, for the collection of those native articles of art and industry in which the history of the dying races around us is most indelibly chronicled. A very great number of these things are of u perishable character, and exposed to the ravages of the weather, as they are most likely to be while in native custody, they will disappear in time, even if they are not earlier snatched up by ■the curio hunter or some agent from the European museums. This proposal that the Government bestir it-

self in the matter of their collection and preservation is, therefore, an excellent one. But the suggestion seems to ignore what has already been done in this respect by the authorities of the Auckland Museum. The promoters cannot be unaware of the valuable collection of Polynesian antiquities which the Auckland institution

shelters, nor, on account of that large nucleus alone, of the claims Auckland has to the site of such a museum as is contemplated. Yet how does it eome about that not a word is said about the Northern city in the. matter? It is to be a national museum, and it is to be in Wellington. Here, again, surely, is the monopolising spirit of the Empire City, which is to have £ 15.000 for a fine new Institution, and £3OOO a year for carrying it on, and the honour and glory of having the museum within its own gates. Now, the Auckland collection of native antiquities, and the place in which they arc housed, might fee improved upon; but that would be a. very easy thing to have accomplished long ago had there been a grant of £15,000 cash, and a £3OOO annual grant, at the disposal of the authorities. As it is, with that sum now the Auckland Museum would speedily be possessed of a building and a native collection almost unrivalled. The advantage the Northern city possesses over Wellington as the home for such a collection lies in the fact that she already has a collection of value to start with — a collection which' of itself would be indispensable to any collection of a national character. So unless the Aucklanders were to be robbed of their treasure to enrich the capital, the latter's museum must remain an incomplete affair. Naturally, Auckland would not submit to Bitch robbery. She has the right of possession, in the first place, and, in the second, she can claim to being, first and last, the city which of all others, by virtue of her past history and present position, is the centre of native interest in the colony. If New Zealand is to have such a national collection as is proposed Auckland is the city where it should be kept. o o o o o