GIFTS TO TURNBULL LIBRARY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 2

GIFTS TO TURNBULL LIBRARY

BEQUEST BY MR P. W. RULE, OF TIMARU (New Zeatana Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. Two bequests to the Turnbull Library were announced today by the librarian (Mr C. R. H. Taylor). One is from Dr. J. H. Von Haast, of Wellington, and the other from Mr Percy Watts Rule, formerly a well-known Timaru architect.

Dr. Von Haast, who was a generous supporter of the library during his life-time, bequeathed the sum of £lOOO. “There are no tags on it whatsoever,” said Mr Taylor, “except that it is subject to the life interest of two beneficiaries.”

Before his death, Dr. Von Haast had already deposited the papers connected with the monumental life of his father. Sir Julius Von Haast. in the library, said Mr Taylor. In addition, the library would now receive a miscellaneous collection of political and biographical material.

Mr Percy Watts Rule bequeathed his collection of the works of A. Edward Newton, the American millionaire collector and author. This collection, Mr Taylor said, was interesting to book collectors. In addition, Mr Rule gave the library the selection of 20 volumes from his library.

Mr Rule, said Mr Taylor, had left a collection of about 7000 volumes. He described the library as “one of the choicest in New Zealand.” Mr Taylor has already visited Timaru to make a selection of 20 volumes for the Turnbull Library.