Interesting Exhibits
p. 96 · Read in the full issue
Cook Is.
Museum
Interesting Exhibits Without A Permanent Home
FOR years it has been the ambition of some Rarotongan residents to establish a Cook Islands’
Museum at Rarotonga.
In 1947, the foundation for such a building was laid by members of the native-sponsored Cook Islands Progressive Association, but interest in the project dropped to zero after an official absconded with the funds.
Since then the Returned Soldiers’
Association Sub-Branch, which is composed solely of World War II veterans, has sponsored the idea of a War Memorial Museum and Library, to be established at Raro tonga.
This matter was brought up again at the ninth session of the Legis lative Council of the Cook Islands last October-November, and a Select Committee was elected to investigate ways and means of financing a suit able building.
So far, no great progress in this direction has been made, but an in teresting collection of exhibits has been obtained. Among these are
several types of adzes, ironwood spears, and sennit helmets which are being held in trust for the proposed Museum.
Judge Morgan has offered his col lection of local seashells, and the latest contribution comes from Te
Ora Rangatira, who is giving th«i five canoe-making adzes that wem discovered when a drain was bein| dug through her land. The adzes are of grey basalt, about 12 in, long and appear to be the full tool kit of an ancient canoe buiMer.