BRITISH MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30095, 1 April 1963, Page 9

BRITISH MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT

The British Museum was at a new stage in its career, said its director and principal librarian (Sir Frank Francis), addressing the Association of Friends of the Canterbury Museum, Sir Frank Fran s outlined the history. development and present administration problems of the British Museum. The museum had important building plans, he said. In the past, the design of the building had tended to hamper additions and extensions. Recently the London County Council had set aside a site of seven acres and a half fronting the museum where a new building could be erected This was expected ultimately to house all the books at present in the British Museum with the exception of the Royal Library, he said Work was expected to begin on the new site about 1967, and would take 10 to 15 vears. In the past, critics had suggest ed that because the

museum's constitution was fairly ancient this must reflect on the administration. Nothing could be further from the truth , said Sir Frank Francis. A new British Museum Bill was now before Parliament, and this had recently received its second reading. This bill, which ran into eight pages, would replace 18 Acts of Parliament. Sir Frank Francis illustrated the development of the British Museum with the aid of slides. The museum lecture theatre was nearly full. Sir Frank Francis and Lady Frances were given a mayoral reception by Mr G. Manning on Friday Others who spoke in support of the welcome given by the Mayor were the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. H. P. Smith), Cr. N. G Pickering and Cr G D. Griffiths. Those present included Cr. HL E. Denton, Cr. W. E. Olds, Mr H. Helmore, Mr* A. C. Brassington, the Town Clerk (Mr

C. S. Bowie), and the City Librarian (Mr R. N. O’Reilly) AU were guests of ihe Mayor and Mayoress at morning tea.