Museum tries to get early papers back

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 5

Museum tries to get early papers back

Early editions of the “Lyttelton Times” had been sent to Massey University with a message that if they were not wanted they could be destroyed, the Canterbury Museum Trust Board was told yesterday. The museum’s director, Mr Michael Trotter, was replying to a query by a board member as to the whereabouts of the editions from 1903 to 1935. Mr Trotter said that he could not find any record of the bound editions being sent anywhere but it was generally known that they had gone to the university. He had been in touch with the librarian there to get the volumes returned. He had then been told that the university had received the editions in 1981 with a letter saying they could have them for their collection or destroy them. Mr Trotter said that the university did not want to return them as they were now part of a collection. There were no other copies in the museum and he was not sure if the Canterbury Public Library had any, he said. Mr Trotter would not give the name of the person who had signed the letter and said that he had not seen a copy of the correspondence. Members of the board expressed their concern about the advice to “destroy” the volumes and asked Mr Trotter to investigate further. Deans Cottage A report is being prepared on the feasibility of the board’s taking over Deans Cottage. Dr Colin Burrows, a board member said that the Riccarton Bush was an extremely important part of Canterbury, with considerable interest to the public. He said he was enthusiastic about the idea. Bequests A total of $123,000 has been bequeathed to the museum from two estates. Miss A. B. French left $55,000 and M. G. Gow left $68,000. The board’s accountant, Mr Kenneth Jensen, said that the money was not subject to specific use and would be used for buying exhibits from time to time. Stokell Hall A display preparator at the museum, Mr G. D. Bagot, reported to the board that the Stokell Hall display was now almost complete.

Mr Trotter said he was very pleased that the preparations for the hall were nearly finished as he knew it had been of some concern to the board.

He said that he hoped the hall would be open to the public by the end of the year.

Dr Burrows reminded board members that Mr Gerald Stokell had been an amateur fish scientist who died in the 1960 s and bequeathed money to the museum.

He said that Mr Stokell had wanted the money to go towards a hall where people could identify things for themselves, as he had had a great feeling for the amateur.