OLD COLONISTS' MUSEUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 137, 11 June 1932, Page 13

OLD COLONISTS' MUSEUM.

EXHIBITS INCREASE. MORE ACCOMMODATION NEEDED. The attendance at the Old Colonists' Museum for the year ending March 31 last was 21,902, an increase of 1539 over the previous year's figures, and a daily average of 00. The exhibits continue to increase largely by way of gifts, and the collection now numbers 1229 items, of which 102 are on deposit. In his report covering the year ended March 31 last the chief librarian and director, Mr. John Barr, said that the museum continued to make a strong appeal to the imagination of citizens old and young, and during the year many people had made more than one visit. School teachers and school children were among those to use the museum in connection with the study of New Zealand history. It could readily be seen that the museum was> fulfilling an important service in stimulating and fostering an interest in the history of the city and province, which should result in a. greater appreciation of the work of the pioneers, and tend ultimately towards a higher sense of good citizenship. The museum still laboured under the disadvantage of insufficient accommodation. An effort was made to have ths Lindauer collection of Maori paintings transferred to tho Auckland Museum, but lack of space there caused ths museum authorities to decline. Had tho offer been accepted the rooms which house the Lindauer collection could have been utilised for showing the old colonist collection. It was hoped that when economic conditions improved the long desired extra accommodation would be found.