RELICS OF EARLY SETTLERS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27924, 22 March 1956, Page 14

RELICS OF EARLY SETTLERS

MUSEUM CUSTODY APPRECIATED “POSSESSIVENESS” CLAIM REJECTED A claim by Mr G. O. Greenwood that the staff of the Canterbury Museum were “possessive” in their handling of relics and other articles belonging to the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Association, provoked denials from other members at the annual meeting of the association last evening. Mr Greenwood spoke when the report of the retiring president (Mr William Deans) was before the meeting. Mr Greenwood referred to an item in the report which said that various records and photographs, when mounted and catalogued, would be available in the museum for reference. Mr Greenwood questioned the propriety of having the albums in the museum only for reference. He said they should be available for perusal. They could be very helpful to students. There was a great deal of ‘‘possessiveness” on the part of the museum staff, said Mr Greenwood. ‘‘lt is hard to get your hands on anything of ours there, whether you belong to the association or not,” he said.

“I myself, and others, have not found that attitude at all, provided there is a suitable place for looking at things and the time is a suitable one.” said Mr C. R. Straubel. “MiGreenwood apparently ignores the fact that the. ..museum is working under tremendous difficulties at the present tiqie. It is quite unfair for Mr Greenwood to make, through this association. "an indirect attack on the museum. These places to look at things belonging to the association will exist later when the building is completed.” “Mr Straubel’s inference is incorrect.” said Mr Greenwood. “I was .-peaking of the time when I was president. I have not been to the museum since the alterations were started to look at these things. When I was president I went to the museum to try to find out what was there, and what records were there. It took me 18 months to find them.” “Were the records in the museum?” asked Mr Straubel. “No.” said Mr Greenwood. “What I was trying to say was that after a lot of investigation I was able to trace them. I was not saying anything to the detriment of the museum. I think I can claim that I have helped the museum as much as anyone.” “Much Undue Criticism” Mr E. R. d’Anvers said there seemed to have been much undue criticism of the museum authorities. “They are working under extreme difficulties, and rather than criticise, would it not be better to approach them and ask them to set aside space for our records or whatever v else we have in there,” he said. v Mr Deans said the space would be allotted later when the alterations were completed. Miss R. Reynolds recalled events culminating in the museum's offer to store the association’s possessions. “We should be eternally grateful to the museum,” she said. Mrs Greenwood supported Mr Greehwood. She said there was a degree of possessiveness shown in some or’ these matters. She was on this claim when she was called to order by the president. She considered possessiveness was “something that just happens with librarians,” she said. Mr Deans then called a halt to the discussion. . Before the end of the meeting, Mr and Mrs Greenwood left after Mr Deans had ruled against Mr Greenwood’s request to speak on another matter at a certain time. The meeting unanimously decided to express the association’s appreciation of the work of the Canterbury Museum, in its present difficulties, in caring for the association’s relics and records.