THE PIONEERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15649, 22 July 1916, Page 5

THE PIONEERS.

MEETING OF EARLY COLONISTS' COMMITTEE. A meeting of tho Early Colonists' Committee was held at Canterbury Collego yesterday, Mr J. C Adams presiding over a small attendance. Tho chairman said siaeo the committee last met. two of the members who had been connected with the committee since its inception had passed away. Vie referred to tho deaths of Mr Guiiie Brittan and Mr J. E. Marsh, uho hud rendered the committeo great assistance in its work He moved a motion of deep regret at their loss, wiiicn. Wiici carried in silence, tnosc present standing. Tho chairman raid the meeting had been called to see and appreciate the step which had been taken in arranging and furnishing the Early Colonists Room at the Museum. Tho collection of historical matter was a valuable and interesting one, and he suggested chat it would bo advisable not to confine the collection to early days, but also to collect modern articles. In 50 or 100 years these articles would b e of historical importance and they should bear in mind that even now history was being made. Everything could not bo exhibited, ot course, but they could be stored, and ir time to como the Chnstchurch people of the future might think them worthy of exhibition. There was, tor example, the chanco of obtaining, through the courtesy of the Diocesan ; authorities, the first printing press used ; in tho Dominion, this articlo actually \ being in Chnstchurch. There was also the original cross on the Cathedral which came clown at the time of the earthquake. There were probably many other articles which might be obtained if members would exercise a little judgment and enthusiasm. With regard to tho correspondence of Godley, Fox, Wakefield, and other early notabilities, it was not found possible to. throw it all open to the public, as in many cases it referred to purely private matters. However, a careful selection would be made and that which was suitable, displayed, or facsimiles of it shown. He hoped the public would appreciate- tho early colonists' room at the Museum and help the committee in any way jt could. Mr E. W. Seager offered to give two or three hundred lantern slides, showing the early history of Canterbury, and his offer was accented 'with thanks. Mr Soeight, the secretary, referred to the need for cataloguing and indexing the voluminous correspondence of Mr Godley, and making a precis of the letters. The Museum Committee had favourably considered the matter, and he had a very suitable person in view to do tho work. It was decided that tho suggestion made by the secretary was a good one, and the meeting approved entirely of Dt. Hight said that already tho collection in the Early Colonists' Room had been of great value to the students who had done much original research work on subjects such as the "History of the Canterbury Settlement" and "The Godley Period." In the near future a good deal more work of a like nature would be carried out; for example, it was proposed by a student to write the life of the Hon. Win. Rollestoh, and the collection would no doubt bo found of value. The speaker said

that ho would be glad to get any information with regard to Mr Rolles-

The meeting then concluded, and those present went over to the Museum and inspected the Early Colonists' Room, which is situated upstairs at the end of the gallery over the Now Zealand Room. The room, though small, has been excellently fitted up, and there are already a very large number of interesting articles displayed, connected with the early days_ of the province. The collection of pictures is » large one, and there is also a good representative show of ancient firearms, furniture, domestic implements, etc., such as wore used by the pioneers in the dawn of the colony's history.