Southern Māori Archives Project

letter, 03/11/1934 to Mrs R E Sleigh, Would you consider lending your small but representative collection of Ironstone China for an exhibition.

letter, 02/03/1934 to Mrs Smith-Rewse, Mr Kennedy mentioned that your husband had a suit of sennet armour made in the Ellice Islands. Would like to acquire object as gift or purchase.

letter, 18/12/1934 to Mr J Sorenson, Thanks for letter, apologises for both Mr Teviotdale and (presumed) Mr Skinner being away on annual leave when Mr Sorenson is in Dunedin. Miss Daff also away, instructs to leave pendant with Miss Catherwood who will give Sorenson a receipt, when Miss Daff has drawn the pendant, it will be return via post

letter, 12/12/1934, Mr J Sorenson to, Thanks for letter and information, speaks of hoping to visit Dunedin over Christmas and New Years, mentions sketching of the Tangiwai pendant, is aware Mr Teviotdale is unavailable. Sends best wishes for the holidays.

letter, 29/11/1934 to Mr J Sorenson, Thanks for letter, confirms receiving sheet of sketches, is interested in the lot, Tangiwai pendant in shape of a human leg of particular interest, asks for it to be sent to be drawn. Says it was not mentioned where pendant was found, but assumes it was one of Sorenson's brother's finds in central Canterbury. Goes on to talk about a ring of imitation human teeth that was found, and how it was probably arranged on a small flax circlet which would have been hung from an ear, says British Museum has a couple examples of imitation teeth treated in this way, is inclined to believe this was the normal way in which they were worn and that necklaces were exceptional as only one has been secured, numbering of 37 teeth from Tokomaru Bay north of Gisborne, in that case the teeth were real ones. Goes on to say that Mr Teviotdale won't be available to go on a trip to Sandhill Point over Christmas as he has arranged to travel north to perhaps Farewell Spit, but he thanks for the invitation, says don't delay due to his account, as he may not be south for a considerable time. Best wishes for Christmas and New Year.

letter, 08/06/1934, H D Skinner to Mr. S. Russell, P.O. Box 64, Papeete, Tahiti, Confirms that some stone figures had arrived and been incorporated into the museum collection.

letter, 26/11/1934, H. D. Skinner to Mr J Sorenson, Thanks for invitation to join the Polynesian Society, says he will be a worthy and helpful member. Has received the journals and is interested in the amulet, goes on to speak of imitation human incisors found at Pahai, a group of eight found lying in a circle indicating that they were on a cord originally, has 30 in his collection from this site, he's going to send a sketch of a pendant which his brother dug up in Canterbury along side a page of other sketches when finished with the articles with exception of a tiki from the same locality. Has been finding a few relics in the locality every now and then, has had a high success after a high wind than from digging. Found a few bones that have been cooked, and beneath them were some bone fish hooks, two of which seemed to be of different materially from the ones featured by Mr Teviotdale. One that is broken has a hole drilled through it in an inversed(?) location, the other example has holes through the lower edge and the centre one has been filed out making the usual groove. He also has a rather unusual bone implement. Him and his brother intend on visiting Sandhill Point at Christmas time and invite Mr Teviotdale to accompany them. Mentions the cave he has spoken of there is more like an arch and opens at both ends, which lead to small beaches, can only be accessed at low tide. He's measured it to be about 30 foot length and 36 feet in height and at a depth of 20". At the time didn't have time to excavate much at all, he understands that Mr King(?) found a couple of items there. Trip is dependent on the weather, his brother is travelling by car, so may end up a rather rushed trip. Goes on to speak of finding a pendant on his last visit to Tangiwai which was about the size and shape of a small oyster shell, it was drilled at the small end and seems to have a series of notches cut on the edge.

letter, 20/04/1934, H. D. Skinner to Mr J Sorenson, Thanks for letter, Dr Turner took a chip from Sorenson's green block and will let him know of the report when it comes through, material is being posted today from Orepuki. Peculiar shaped piece of brown stone believed to be an accident, but there's no doubt Maori used it as a cutter or scraper. Asks to bring up such interesting pieces that he can carry when visiting Dunedin.

letter, 09/04/1934, Mr J Sorenson to H. D. Skinner, Thanks for interesting letter, pleased to hear he found the pieces Mr Teviotdale took from Sorenson's collection. Skinner's observations of the various specimens were very interesting and expresses thanks for these. Skinner did not mention the implement which Sorenson considered as a tool. Asks what Skinner thinks of the piece. Sorenson is will for Dr Turner to have a piece of the stone specimen and is waiting with interest to hear the verdict on them. Mr Teviotdale will inform on how it came into Sorenson's possession and other details. Sorenson is working near Tokanui and states it is going to be quite interesting judging by relics shown to him by various residents and items seen in his spare time, but has not yet had time to do a thorough investigation but will be able to in the near future. Would be pleased to have Mr Teviotdale accompany him at Sandhill Point and will like be there next Christmas. Was disappointed to not be able to stay in Onehuki(?) and assist him while he was there. Will bring interesting pieces on his next visit to Dunedin from his locality to show Skinner.

letter, 10/05/1934, H. D. Skinner to Mr J Sorenson, Dr Turner has analysed the specimen and finds that it is a Talc-quarts-schist, the green colour being due to the presence of and unusual green talc. Item interesting from a mineralogical point alongside its Maori associations. Have secured a beautiful whalebone harpoon point dug up at Warrington. Mr Teviotdale continues to bring materials from Little Papanui, where he is today, on the first fine day in months

letter, 27/03/1934, H. D. Skinner to Mr J Sorenson, The first lot of Sorenson's materials have arrived with pieces forwarded by Mr Teviotdale a fortnight or more ago. The materials sent came with Teviotdale himself in the morning, thanks for sending it. Mentions a piece of perforated soapstone with serrated edges, believes its a broken toggle, the museum has one similar from Kaikai's beach. Goes on to talk of a bone maripi (for lifting paua shells off rocks) saying it is a exceptionally fine specimen, believes the carving on the butt of it represents a bird, but a small break on a part of the carving makes it hard to identify. A highly finished bone pendant belonged to a necklace similar to the one at the museum in Invercargill, Dunedin has two similar specimens from the Chatham Islands, and Auckland has recently secured a similar necklace from the north. A large stone adze belongs to the interesting type well represented in Dunedin's collection which is believed to be employed in the felling of trees. The two lateral projections which were mentioned are present but are likely accidental, would've been removed in the next step in manufacturing. A piece of greenstone about the colour of malachite proved to be of interest to Dr Turner and he asks if he can have a small flake from it to make a slide. Mr Teviotdale brought back some nice materials but were disappointed on the matter of moa bones, thanks for the help Sorenson gave to him, he will be available for any future work undertaken at Sandhill Point or in the cave at Port Craig, such work can only be done over the summer.

letter, 06/03/1934, Mr J Sorenson to H. D. Skinner, Telegram - leaving Orepuki Thursday morning too late unless Teviotdale can carry on alone. Sorenson.