LITERARY RELICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 49, 26 February 1913, Page 5

LITERARY RELICS.

THE GREY COLLEdIOH

a:nttexe opens shortly.

"I hope that a settlement of New iCeaiand s affairs will be arrived at during the last session of t&is Parliamenta. settlement, indeed, lese advantageous than I have expected, but at the same time one which I trust will contribute in no slight degree to the prosperity of that most interesting and promising young country." This is part ofa letter in the handwriting of the late William Ewart Gladstone, dated from Downinc Street, on February 26th, 1853, and a<fdressed to the late Archibald Clark, Esq., then Mayor of Auckland. This letter, which apparently refers to the receipt of a petition from citizens of A-ackland to the Prime Minister, of England on the question of the Jfew Zealand constitution, forms part of the collection of autograph letters, valuable manuscripts, antique 'books, etc.. bequeathed to the city by the late Sir George Grey. Just now it is locked away, together with many more valuable literary relics, awaiting the erection of a suitable habitation.

, It is interesting to learn that the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) expects that the new brick annexe, erected at the Public Library at a cost of £1,000, will be ready for the opening ceremony in about a fortnight. The 'building will be flre proof,, and its contents should form one of the most interesting features of the Library and Art Gallery displays. The Grey collection also contains •some interesting autograph letters from Bishop and Mrs. Selwyn to Sir George Grey relating to the early history of New Zealand, as well as many "from noted travellers in various parts of the world. Mr. Henry Shaw's gift-collec-tion of rare 'books, including the oldest Bible in Australasia, ttill also be placed in the new annexe.