Otago Museum Records/Archives

Letter, 17/06/1937, H D Skinner to NZ Council for Educational Research, Re Agricultural exhibit request we intend to employ an extra clerk so that Miss Duff can work on the exhibit but not untill October

Letter, 28/09/1937, R A S Browne, Morrinsville to H D Skinner, Describes a Maori adze in early stages of working that has been found, which approximates the form of Easter Island adzes. Of all the finds from Browne's farm, this artefact displays the workmanship of the manufacturing process. Asks Skinner to take a look at the piece.

Letter, 30/09/1937, H D Skinner to R A S Browne, Morrinsville, Acknowledgement of 14lb of rock material sent 24/9, which includes a latterally hafted New Caledonian nephrite adze. The wooden beater is likely not designed for killing eels as those tools are typically sharp-edged - more likely for fern-root.

Letter, 08/10/1937, H D Skinner to R A S Browne, Morrinsville, Note that the box of stone materials has not yet arrived.

Letter, 11/10/1937, R A S Browne, Morrinsville to H D Skinner, Follow up to letter of 8/10 explaining how the materials were posted. Note that the contents included the adze described in the letter of 28/9 & various obsidian flakes. Offer to exchange more adzes for Southland specimen No. 1. Further discussion on whether the wooden beater is for processing eels or fern root.

Letter, 07/10/1937, Walter J. Borauian to H D Skinner, Reference for Hugh Mackinnon for the position of Educational Officer at Otago Museum

Letter, 08/10/1937, H D Skinner to R A S Browne, Morrinsville, Explains mistake around postage of material & thanks for the greywacke adze, of which the likeness to Easter Island varieties is accidental. Further discussion on eel swords and requests Browne find a New Zealand variety for them.

Letter, 29/10/1937, H D Skinner to R A S Browne, Morrinsville, Reply to letter of 20th with offer to write Allen Tirau. The colour of the reddish adze is due to the heat.

Letter, 20/10/1937, R A S Browne, Morrinsville to H D Skinner, Further discussion on Greywacke adze. Little success in getting members of Farmer's Executive in Auckland to give supplies and artefacts as most have been supplying Auckland Museum or are reluctant to part with finds e.g. Crawley has given an eel sword as you described to Auckland Museum. Descriptions of artefacts various members are in possession of

Letter, n.d., R A S Browne, Morrinsville to H D Skinner, Annotated drawings of adzes mentioned in previous letter.

Letter, 07/11/1937, R A S Browne, Morrinsville to H D Skinner, While visiting a Public Works drainage camp found Maori hoe about 5ft from swamp surface. Approx 3ft 6in in length and 6ft 8in wide at the blade (?). Apparently item was burned. One other family at the camp had a small adze. Object damaged by children playing with it. More drainage works underway where Wanganui river enters the Waikato at Taupuri. Sketch (not enclosed) of club found at Taulei (sp) stream, discussion on design details.

Letter, 14/06/1937, NZ Council for Educational Research to H D Skinner, Suggest you pay and send monthly account for reimbursement. Please get a sign off from the Museum Committee for expenditure