MUSEUMS OF NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22194, 10 September 1937, Page 14

MUSEUMS OF NEW ZEALAND

Criticism by Captain G. Humphreys-Davies A REMEDY SUGGESTED ITHE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, September 9. That a Ministry for Fine Arts chould be established in New Zealand to improve the culture of the countVy and to ensure financial assistance to the museums of the four centres in the matter of purchases was suggested by Captain G. Humphreys-Davies at a luncheon meeting of the Auckland Society of Arts. He added that such a ministry might also organise more frequent loan exhibitions, and arrange for authoritative lecturers from abroad to pay long visits to the Dominion. “The suggestions 1 make would remedy many of the faults I have discovered in my long association with New Zealand museums, as well as art galleries,” said Captain Humphreys-Davies. “People would be made more museum-minded and* through a succession of loan exhibitions and visits of qualified lecturers, better appreciation of art, drama, and architecture would be created. The present drawbacks would disappear, and in course of a generation we would have men in New Zealand qualified to give their country just what is required.” Wellington Compromise Discussing the merits of New Zealand museums, Captain Hum-phreys-Davies said Auckland had one of the world’s finest museums. Like the National Museum in Wellington, however, it had fallen between two stones, owing to the confusion aroused at the time of building as to * whether it should be a memorial or a museum. A compromise was made, and the building was placed in a very undesirable position. “In Wellington’s case a very fine building is situated in the most appalling slums, at the top of an extremely steep hill, with no tram service within 300 yards or 400 yards,” continued Captain Hum-phreys-Davies. “The result, I have found, is that the attendances at the Auckland and Wellington museums fall far short of what they should be, particularly on wet days,* when they should be filled.” Of Auckland’s collection Captain Humphreys-Davies said there was an admirable display of ethnological interest, which compared more than favourably with the Similar one in the British Museum. Auckland was fortunate in having an officer of absolute genius for pattern and display. Being a general museum it had inherited many things, few of which were really bad. “There is a heterogeneous collection of articles in one section of the Wellington Museum, and it constitutes the worst exhibit of any museum in the world,” said Captain HumphreysDavies. “The objects come under the realm of curios, and their exhibition forcibly shows that no museum should accept collections on condition that they are displayed en masse. Christchurch “Jumble Heap” “The Christchurch Museum is a jumble heap. There are four times as many exhibits as there is space, and it would require super-human effort to instil order in a building which dates back to the ’sixties. It is really a terrible building.” Dijnedin was fortunate in having benefactors such as Mr Willi Fels, who, with the assistance of other prominent citizens, raised £30,000 for the provision of a new wing some years ago. Moreover, a fund of £IO,OOO had been granted to this museum, which was no longer worried in the matter of purchases. “We are fortunate in New Zealand in obtaining assistance—more largely than most persons are aware of—from the Carnegie fpnd,” said Captain Humphreys-Davies. “Government assistance is also desirable, however, and I trust that what I have said will not be regarded as offensive; but will rather produce results to the satisfaction of all natural history and art lovers.”