A NEW ZEALAND LIBRARY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14822, 13 November 1913, Page 3

A NEW ZEALAND LIBRARY.

MR R. Mf-JNAB'S VALUABLE COLLECTION.

PRESENTED TO DTJNEDIX.

(special to "the tress") DUNEDIN, November 12

Mr Robert McNab, ex-M.P.. has addressed the following letter to the Mayor of Dunedin:—"Dear Sir, —I have a library of New Zealand hooks, papers and pamphlets collected over a number of years in various parts of tho world, and which I think would serve students of New Zealand literature better if made available in some public institution. If jour library committee aro prepared to suitably house and maintain the collection. I am prepared to hand it over to your city, reserving to myself tho right to take out for limited periods of- time such books as may bo required for nry historical work." Mr McNab's library is regarded as the most complete and valuable library of Now Zealand works with the' exception of that of Mr 1\ ■'*. Turnbull at Wellington. He has been collecting it for many years in many parts of tho world, and" has had buyers in tho world's centres to secure manuscripts, books, pamphlets, maps, prints, etc., for him- In many' cases he has had special translations made from tho archives of European nations. The primary purpose of the.library was for his historical work and researches. . It is at present in a fireproof annexe to his residence at Palmerston North, specially built for the purpose. The Dunedin City Library is regarded as the model city library of New Zealand, and has become immensely popular under its present management. It is housed in the most modern library building in the Dominion erected from a Carnegie grant, and is splendidly I managed by Mr McEwan.