Inquiry into role of museums suggested

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33778, 26 February 1975, Page 18

Inquiry into role of museums suggested

The pattern of museums in New Zealand needed to be reviewed by a Government commission of inquiry. Dr J. A. Pringle, the director of the Natal Museum, in South Africa, told the Association of Friends of the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch last evening.

The commission could investigate the roles of the larger and smaller museums, their relationships with each other and their individual development.

“You cannot afford to let them go on drifting in the

way they are at present,” said Dr Pringle. Finances might also be investigated, he suggested. Dr Pringle, a zoologist with a special interest in mammals and reptiles, and a foundation member and past president of the South African Museums Association, has

been in New Zealand visiting relatives. He has also visited between 12 and 15 smaller museums in the South Island. He had been amazed at what had been done “on such a slender budget.” Particularly commendable were the museums at Invercargill and Hokitika, “which seemed to have the right idea.” They had specialised in preserving regional aspects of history. Some others had made the mistake of taking anything they were offered, even if the items had little relevance to the area.

“This is a great pity, as these articles are sometimes very hard to get rid of.”

Smaller museums had an important role, said Dr Pringle. New Zealand museums lent themselves admirably to historical Maori exhibitions. He had found that canoes, maraes, and Maori carvings made “wonderfully effective exhibits.” He congratulated the staff of the Canterbury Museum on the high quality of its work.

League.—The North Sydney Rugby League Club has negotiated a contract with the Auckland five-eighths, Graeme Smith. Norths will pay $4500 to the New Zealand Rugby League as a clearance fee.