Collection Search

letter, 27/06/1934, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Discusses greywacke adze from Canterbury. Wishes to see bone tiki. Mentions possibility of a Nelson Museum. Describes moa-bone fish hook, a run of fish-hook points in basalt and greenstone, and a large slab of greenstone from Murchison probably abandoned by Brunner on his return from the West Coast.

letter, 15/10/1935, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Nelson , Thank you for letter of 5 October. Mentions sketch and unknown sender. Skinner refers to several papers he is working on including paper on patus, a final paper on amulets and also illustrations for a paper on bowling stones in New Zealand and Polynesia. Describes a carved box from O'Kains Bay, Banks Peninsula which contained a skull and "two beautiful pendants."

letter, 02/10/1935, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Nelson , You sent a drawing of a greywacke adze found at Oxford, Canterbury. I am including a series of greywacke drawings in the memoir I am preparing for the Bishop Museum on adzes from Southern New Zealand. Can you lend me your adze for examination?

letter, 21/08/1935, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Nelson , Thanks for 16 August letter. I remain unconvinced by your argument about the artefact. I do not doubt that the amulet is incomplete. Your adze sketch was interesting; we have a Marquesan adze with similar features. I hope you will get to visit despite the unlikeliness.

letter, 09/08/1935, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Nelson , Miss Daff completed her drawings of the serpentine piece you sent. Returning it by this mail. The paper will be submitted in time for September issue of the Journal but will probably be deferred to December issue.

letter, 28/06/1935, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Nelson , Thanks for 25 June letter and stone. Miss Daff will draw it and it will be returned promptly. Comparisons to two figures in Skinner's article. Glad you found the pamplet interesting and useful.

letter, 12/06/1935, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Nelson , Posting a series of my papers on Maori pendants and amulets. Thanks for your help, especially for the large human figure in white ivory. I have collected sufficient illustrations for another paper. Could you send me the stone piece you published for drawing? We recently secured a serpentine from Pelorus Sound.

letter, 12/12/1936, H D Skinner to Mr. F. V. Knapp, Alfred Street, Nelson, Discusses plan for museum loan collections to circulate among eight New Zealand museums during 1937. This will be supervised by Dr. Oliver. Notes that the Nelson Museum current exhibit offer is not suitable and suggests that different high quality items could be exhibited from Nelson. Skinner details his thoughts about the nation-wide circulation process and gives confidential advice to Mr Knapp.

letter, 24/11/1936, H D Skinner to Mr. F. V. Knapp, Alfred Street, Nelson, Regarding two mats and possible purchase. Mentions Ebbett of Hastings and recent additions to his collection, many of which were 'clever fakes.' Notes that a genuine stone flute from near East Cape and a heimaatau from North Auckland were of 'unusual interest.' Mentions that Ebbett is trying to sell his collection (including 'rare and valuable pieces' and fakes) abroad.

Letter, 16/03/1937, H D Skinner to F. V. Knapp, Response to letter with cutting, regarding Taranaki collection in Taranaki museum and the Nelson exhibit.

Letter, 20/04/1937, H D Skinner to F. V. Knapp, Response to letter regarding pair of amulets found at Aniseed, request to have necklace found at Whangamoa posted for inspection. Includes description of received necklace units from Chathams.

Letter, 30/09/1937, H.D Skinner to F.V Knapp, response to discovery of fragment of reel, requesting access to the fragment for casting and sketching. Mention of whalebone artefacts from the Chatham Islands

Letter, 08/10/1937, H.D Skinner to F.V Knapp, Receipt of parcel containing previously mentioned reel fragment, for casting and sketching of the fragment

Letter, 28/10/1937, H.D Skinner to F.V Knapp, Response to previous letter on the 26th. Concludes that 'reel' sent by Knapp is a 'reel shaped stone bead' used for ornamentation. Skinner discusses recent articles in the J.P.S, describing an article by "that madman Vogan", and disparaging Smith and Best's theory of non Polynesian, pre Maori settlement of New Zealand. He also mentions criticism in the journal from a Mr "Beaglehole" of his own practices.

Letter, 11/11/1937, H.D Skinner to F.V Knapp, Letter regarding the return via post of the stone reel-shaped bead. Mention of the bead being sketched by 'Miss Daff', and cast.

Letter, 17/12/1937, H.D Skinner to F.V Knapp, Response to above letter. Skinner agrees Auckland and Dominion museum have impressive collections, but criticises the choices made in displaying the collection, which he believes are inadequate. Skinner praises recent appointments to museums in Christchurch - particularly that of Roger Duff, and mentions the strength of the Dunedin museum's New Caledonian collection, which he believes is of greater quality and quantity than the New Caledonian collection at the British Museum. Skinner mentions intending to visit Nelson - and Knapp - in January of 1938.

Letter, 02/03/1938, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Thanks for the greenstone fish-hook. The drawings of the two adzes has been completed and the stones were sent back.

Letter, 31/03/1938, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Will send a collection of bone pieces that illustrate the cultural history of moa-hunters. Request for Knapp to send his collection of adzes to be examined.

Letter, 14/04/1938, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Request for the rest of the bone pieces to be sent so a duplication can be cured from the museum. The adzes will be drawn and returned after easter.

Letter, 10/02/1938, H D Skinner to F V Knapp, Request to secure by exchange a red argillite pendant for a large greenstone fish hook. What would Knapp like in exchange for the Banks Island Pudding Knife.