i6 



reedwork in the lining. The carved posts, however, are very fine 

 specimens, all named after ancestors. Interesting specimens of house- 

 rafters adorned with painted devices may be seen on either side of 

 the entrance to the main hall, and opposite that entrance the carved 

 timbers of the front of the house. None of the highly elaborate 

 elevated carved storehouses have been erected, owing to want of 

 space, but parts of such are exhibited. 



Stone Implements. In stone implements are seen some very fine 

 specimens of native workmanship, as in the case of weapons and 

 adzes. The collection of stone adzes is large, showing a number of 

 different types and the processes of manufacture. Of all stone imple- 

 ments the patu, a short hand-weapon, is the most symmetrical and 

 well finished. The mere of nephrite is more rare. Other stone imple- 

 ments are pounders and beaters (used for a variety of purposes), drills, 

 sinkers, and lamps. Of stone ornaments the neck-pendant termed 

 heitiki was the most highly prized, and the manufacture thereof was 

 exceedingly slow and laborious. An exhibit of much interest is the 

 stump of a tree that was felled with stone tools. 



Bone Implements. In this department the most important items 

 are weapons viz., the curious long carved hoeroa, the notched kotiate, 

 the patu paraoa, and wahaika. These were fashioned from whale's 

 bones. Other bone items are mallets used by carvers, spear-points, 

 fish-hooks, needles, cloak-pins, combs, flutes, and ornaments such as 

 pendants of various kinds. 



Wooden Implements. In wood we have some typical Maori 

 weapons, such as taiaha, pouwhenua, tewhatewha, and spears, fashioned 

 out of hardwood by slow processes. Agricultural implements are 

 represented by spades, picks, and the curious digging - implement 

 termed ko, resembling the old Highland spade. In wood we also 

 find combs, flutes, trumpets, tops, and other toys. Carved wooden 

 boxes illustrate the fine work done by the Maori with stone tools. 

 Vessels are of wood, as bowls, and bark deftly doubled up ; also 

 bowls and water-vessels of gourds, some of which are finely etched 

 like those of various Pacific groups and Central America. The mira 

 tuatini, a curious implement made by affixing the teeth of a species 

 of shark to a wooden handle, was used wherewith to cut flesh. The 

 curiously formed wooden coffins are specially interesting, as also are 

 the so-called Kumara gods. 



Other Exhibits. The two dried tattooed human heads are good 

 specimens, and must be a century old. 



In textiles are shown cloaks and capes woven from the dressed 

 fibres of Phormium and Cordyline by a peculiar process once employed 

 by people of the Mississippi region ; others of feathers and dogskin 

 fastened on to a ground of woven fabric. Sleeping and floor mats 

 are made by plaiting raw undressed strips of Phormium-lesii or of 

 Freycinetia. Baskets and belts are made in similar manner. 



There is also a small collection of bird snaring and trapping 

 implements, with some long bird-spears. 



ELSDON BEST. 



