IN THE CAUSE OF SCIENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2756, 10 March 1910, Page 6

IN THE CAUSE OF SCIENCE.

MAORI’S FACE IN PLASTER

A novel and picturesque group of visitors to the American __ Museum of. Natural History at New York recently was a party of 30 Maoris from New Zealand, dressed in their native costume, who were present by invitation of the museum authorities (writes 1 the correspondent of the “New Zealand Herald”). These Maoris, who are performing at the Hippodrome, were brought to the museum by Mr. W. h armor Whyte, manager of the company, and were met by Professor Henry Fairfield Osborn, president, and Dr. Hermon C. Bumpus, director, of the museum. The Maoris had been invited because the museum authorities wish to instal a South Pacific section, which will be a noteworthy feature of the institution, and they intend, among other things, to take casts of some or the best specimens of the race;' The* Maoris watched with the greatest astonishment, and not a little alarm, the process of taking a cast of Kiwi Amohau, the leading chief of the tribe. Judging by the expression on their faces and the remarks they made, it was about the most novel sight they had ever witnessed. First two straws were placed in the chief’s nostrils, with some cotton wool on the ends of them, to keep them in position, and then the wet plaster wa9 thrown on his face till it gradually disappeared from sight and nothing was to be seen hut the two straws through which Kiwi breathed. Over his head had been placed a towel, and a long shroud was thrown, over his body. For 15 minutes Kiwi sat there motionless as a statue, breathing through his straws, and 'when it ivas all over and the plaster had hardened and was taken off, his face was a study. He declared that he did not relish the proceeding, hut when he was 'nformed that he would receive some monetary consideration for his patience and forbearance in the cause of science his face lightened up with a smile, and he con- [ sented to go again to have the process completed.