Museum backs restructuring

Press, 6 October 1988, Page 2

Museum backs restructuring

By

JANE ENGLAND

Local government restructuring has been well received by the Canterbury Museum Trust Board. The Local Government Commission, which has designated new districts as part of the reorganisation, opted to keep the board as a separate entity. The decision, which appears to support the board’s submissions, had been approved by most board members, said the director of the museum, Mr Michael Trotter, yesterday. The Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury United Council had made different submissions claiming they could administer the Museum Trust Board. The board, although not unanimously, decided the administration should be independent. The board argued in its three-page submission that the museum had

been set up by the Canterbury Provincial Government to act for the whole of Canterbury. “Since then it has continued to play a vital role in the participation, preservation and conservation of the cultural and natural heritage of Canterbury, Marlborough and the West Coast.” The submission said the board was the legal owner of collections of considerable scientific, historical and monetary value ... “a large proportion of which are of national importance. It is the recipient of bequests and donations from people who wish to give to an independent organisation and as the kaitiaki (guardians) of the most important collection of Maori taonga (treasures) for this region.” Mr Trotter said the board was generally pleased that the chairman of the commission, Mr Brian Elwood, appeared to support its stand for autonomy.