THE MUSEUM SITE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 81, 5 April 1930, Page 8

THE MUSEUM SITE

(To the Editor.)

I Sir, —It may bo of interest to some of your readers to have some facts in regard to the Dominion Museum and the relation of the New Zealand Institute and other scientific bodies thereto. Actually the museum was formed by a body of scientific men known as the New Zealand Society. This society became the New Zealand Institute and it was given a site in 1865 at the back of Parliabent Buildings. The museum was built and administered by the Government. Its contents then and its contents to-day are chiefly the result of largo gifts made by men who have been and are members 'of the New- Zealand Institute. Who, if anyone, has a better right to protest, if they see an irreparable error being consummated, than that body whose members have given tens of thousands of pounds' worth of treasures to the collection? This is no exaggeration. It is-fact. Originally, when tho Dominion Labora-

Tory brick building was erected some twenty years ago, the idea was that this building would connect with the museum to form a scientific centre in that locality. The need for a science centre is obvious. . Why noi house in one building tho Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Dominion Labors.' tories, Dominion "Museum, Turnbull Library, New Zealand Institute Library, and the Wellington Philosophical Society's Library? It can be done; but not at Mount Cook. Again, how will our museum compare with Auckland? It appears that the money available- for museum, purposes is only just half that .expended to date- on thu Auckland building so, if we can have only half a museum, let us build half, and build to certain other scientific institutions and with an eye to the future.—l am, etc., LOOKER-ON.