DOMINION HERBARIUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 79, 3 April 1928, Page 18

DOMINION HERBARIUM.

WILTON'S BUSH, WELLINGTON DH. HILL'S RECOMMENDATION. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. Dr. A. W. Hill, in his report to the Government, says he considers Wilton's bush, Wellington, the most suitable place for a Dominion herbarium. It might well be augmented and be the main centre for reference in connection with any matters relating to New Zealand .flora.' As soon as the Dominion herbarium is properly housed in its new home, Dr. Hill says, he will be prepared to send out from Kew co-types of historic New Zealand specimens, at present housed at Kew, and sent there by early collectors. Such would be of immense value to botanists working in the Dominion. I If the botanical department of the museum is to be put on a proper footing, a keeper should be appointed, whose sole work would be to look after the botanical collections displayed in the museum, and to carry on research work at the herbarium. He should have at least one scientific botanical assistant, and one or two preparers as permanent members of his staff. The latter might well be women, as they are very skilful at this kind of work. In order to have the specimens already housed at the museum, some 150,000 in number, put in proper working order, it would, say's Dr. Hill, be necessary to engage a temporary staff, pnd he considers this should be-done without delay, as otherwise the collleciiOn may suffer serious damage.