EARLY CANTERBURY RECORDS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13476, 16 July 1909, Page 6

EARLY CANTERBURY RECORDS.

The proposal to establish an " Early Colonists' Department" at the Mnseum was successfully launched yesterday afternoon. The committee that \ras elected to work in conjunction with the Board of Governors in giving effect to the proposal contains the names of re-

presentativos of some of the oldest Canterbury families, and of others who have taken a deep interest in the early history of the province, and it 6hould be- of material assistance in making the department a really valuable addition to the Museum. In the public offices, the Library, Christ's College, and, no doubt, in other institutions are many documents, books, and ether relics which should naturally find a restingplace with all tie other memorials of Canterbury's early days that may be" offered. There is, we believe, a wealth of material in private hands in the province which the owners will gladly place at the disposal of the committee for the Benefit of future generations. As Dr. Hight said, everything offered should be accepted, for the present value of a record is no criterion of its importance, say, a hundred years hence. Th© proposal should have the strongest support of all who have a patriotic interest and pride in Canterbury's history.