Author: BEST, ELSDON.
Title: The Maori As He Was. A Brief Account of Maori life as it was in Pre-European Life.
Description: Second Issue; Demy 8vo; pp. xvi, 280; portrait frontispiece; numerous illustrations throughout, mainly b/w photographic illustrations, list of authors quoted, index, bound in original printed paper wrappers, previous owner's name on title page otherwise a very good copy. Wellington, NZ; Dominion Museum; 1934. Book is Manual 4 of the New Zealand Board of Science and Art and a huge source of information. Illustrations rarely seen outside of a museum include Maori coffins, Tattooing on face and legs, tattooing implements, customs, war canoes, Tamil bell, a hakari stage [a large wooden structure with 14 levels] , mouth covering with garment when sitting, the hongi or pressing salute, chisels and implements, the Kuri Maori or native dog, Maori belts, samples of cordage, greenstone ear pendants and more fascinating items.

Keywords: South Pacific New Zealand Maori life history pre European civilisations Mouriuri Mori Ori Polynesia