OPENING OF THE MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1973, 6 June 1876, Page 2

OPENING OF THE MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE.

His Excrllency the Governor formally opened the new Museum and Institute last evening. The ceremony took place in presence of one of the largest gatherings— inside a building—we have ever seen in Auckland, and was a triumphant crowning act to the erection and stocking of an exhibition building, ih every way most creditable to the subscribers, designer, builders, and contributors, and the public of Auckland generally. At the time appointed His Excellency arrived at the Museum accompanied by Lady Normanby, and the viceregal party were received at the entrance by the officials of the Institute. . On His Excellency entering the hall,. Mr V. E. Kice played the National Anthem on a harmonium. Some idea of the extraordinary crowd may be gathered from the fact that the instrument, although the largest and most powerful harmonium to be had in Auckland, was scarcely audible at a distance of a few feet. Mr Justice Gillies, the president, led the way to the dias at the eastern end of the hall, where seats had been provided for the illustrious guests. In addition to his Excellency's suite—which comprised Lord Hervey Phipps, and Captains Maling and Le Patourel —His Honor the Superintendent. Sir George Groy, X.C.8., His Worship the Mayor (Benjamin Tonfes, Esq.) the Hon. Sir Donald McLean, G.0.M.G., and Dr. Campbell occupied the dia3. As soon as "the busy hum" of the great assembled crowd could be in a measure quieted,

His Honor, Mr Justice, Gillies stepped to the front, and in a speech at once pithy and appropriate, requested His Excellency to declare the building open to the public. Mr Gillies' remarks included, a short but lucid summary of the Auckland Institute from 1860, when it occupied one room in a building in Grafton Road, to the present time. The speaker mentioned as the turning point in the hitherto struggling career of the Institute the granting of the present site by the Provincial Government in 1867. Without the aid of the Provincial Government—Government which was now fading away—the Auckland Institute would have faded away. They had now paid £2000 of the £4000 which the present building cost, and the Council of the Institute were responsible for the remainder, but he could not doubt that the Colonial Government, which had expended large sums on the Colonial Institution at Wellington, would stop in and help them. (Cheers.) His Honor the Superintendent, whose coming forward waa greeted with loud cheering, said he had rarely felt greater pleasure thaD on entering that beautiful building, erected by private enterprise. They as a Province had contributed to the building of the Colonial Museum in Wellington, and they had no funds to provide a Museum for themselves till the gentleman whom they had just listened to came forward and offered to contribute £500 if another £1000 was raised by public subscription. (Cheers.) Mr James Williamson had followed with another donation of £500, and thus owing to the large-heartedness of these two gentlemen £2000 had been raised. He was happy to tell them what had not been sufficiently explained by Mr Justice Gilliss, that that Museum henceforth upon all ordinary occasions would be free to the people of the Province. (Cheers.) In conclusion, he had to ask them to join with him in thanking the generous benefactors to whom they were indebted for, the beautiful building they were now assembled in. (Cheers.)

His Excellency the Governor said it was a source of great gratification to himself to be able to participate in the opening of that truly important Institution. He had noticed with pleasure, the desire which was evinced in the colonies to promote undertakings of this jkind. His Excellency drew a vivid picture of tbe benefits which Museums and Public Libraries, conferred upon society as educational agents. He had listened with deep interest to the history of the Auckland Institute' as told by Mr justice Gillies, and he congratulated them sincerely upon the handsome result of the labours.of those who had nursed it to its present prosperity. They must pardon him for saying ne carried with him some of the old country feeling and prejudice that institutions of the kind were far better managed and valued when they were the results of private exertion and munificence, than when they were sub-. sidised by Government. Therefore, whether they obtained a Government grant or not, he had the greatest confidence ia the futureenlargement and prosperity of the institution. His Excellency concluded a neat speech by formally declaring the building open to the public. His Excellency and the Marchioness were then shown round the building by Mr Justice Gillies, but, owing to the densely crowded state of both upstairs and down,' the inspec-' tion could hardly have been satisfactory. Subsequently, three cheers were called for by Mr Barstow, R.M., for his Excellency and Lady. Normanby. These were heartily given,

""'*""""* •"../,,, , ...... .. as well an three cheers for Mr Justice QfljU The viceregal party left the bniWing Efc 1 9 p.m. The crowd rapidly thinned &£& departure of his Excellency, but the buildW was not entirely free of people till paß t £* oclock. a

The arrangements, considering the hurried1 preparation, were very creditable to all con cerned. We would suggest in future thai the stream of people in the gallery be bidden by cards posted up to flow in one direction The contending torrents last , night were rather destructive to comfort.

Owing to pressure oa our space we reserve our criticism of the Black and White Exhibition till to-morrow.