A mystery at Middlemarch Museum needs solving.
Museum treasurer Anne Elliot said museum staff were puzzled about a wooden tool on display in the museum.
''We would love to know what it is and we would love to know who used it.
''If you don't know anything about its history, then it just becomes a tool.''
The tool was made of mostly wood and steel.
''It is something that can lever things but we don't know why or how.
''I've never seen anything like it . . . we would jolly well like to know what it is for.
''The tool could have jacked up something but what?''
The investigation was sparked because museum objects were worth less if their history was not known.
''If you don't know who used it, what for, when and in what context, then all you have is an object . . . the value of objects in a museum is greatest when you have knowledge about the item.''
When that knowledge was gained, the museum could tell its story.
Anyone with any leads could call her on 464-3731.
Mrs Elliot would also like to know who gave the museum the book Official History of the Otago Regiment NZEF in the Great War 1914-1918 by A. E. Byrne.
The book was in a reasonable condition, she said.
''I wonder who gave us that.''
