I write with concern regarding the act of vandalism carried out by the chair and trustees of the Far North Museum in cutting up the masthead of the 'Forrest Hall', which grounded on 90 Mile Beach in 1899.
It is my understanding that the masthead was accessioned intothe Far North Museum, thereby becoming the property of the Far North District Council. Would I be correct in assuming that the masthead was cut up without council's consent ?
Though the masthead is not considered to be of national significance by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, I firmly believe that it is of great significance to the Far North, especially to those who provided assistance and shelter to the sailors who were forced to abandon their ship.
The masthead was recovered from where it came ashore north of the Bluff in 2008, and transported to the old Kaitaia Museum, where a small team of volunteers, trustees and supporters, including myself, spent a considerable amount of time water-blasting the masthead in preparation for preserving it for use in or near the new museum. At least that is what we were led to believe.
We have now arrived at a situation where the cultural and heritage values of the Far North have been totally disregarded by the very organisation that was established to protect and preserve such items of significance to the Far North, in which they have failed miserably.
I therefore seek a full council inquiry into this matter, a censure of the chair and trustees of the museum, and a full disclosure of council's action in regard to this matter.
