MAORI WING TAKES THE PLACE OF THE MEETING HOUSE

Te Ao Hou, March 1959, Page 24

MAORI WING TAKES THE PLACE OF THE MEETING HOUSE Our next step was to send a member of our Maori Committee to Christchurch to examine the house. Mr R. J. Wills, who was given this task, reported that the house was not in a sufficient state of repair and was otherwise unsuitable. The

This display shows how the ancient Maori caught and stored his food. (Gisborne Photo News) committee was left with no option but to accept this report and abandon the idea of purchasing this house. We decided to aim at building a concrete wing to house the Maori collection and set out to raise the estimated cost of something like £2500. It took a long time, but aided by a grant of £1000 from the Maori Purposes Fund Board the objective was finally achieved and the building erected and opened. It is interesting to relate that almost every member of the original committee was present at the opening. In addition to Mr Halbert the speakers at the opening function included Dr P. B. Singer, President of the Art Society, His Worship the Mayor of Gisborne, Mr H. H. Barker, Mr Reg Keeling, M.P., and Mr Hira Paenga. The catering for the afternoon tea provided was done by the Maori Women's Welfare League so that the whole function was pleasingly Maori in character.