LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 293, 30 August 1918, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE TURNBUiI COLLECTION

Sir,— Referring to the Turnbiill collection of rare publications, perhaps few of your readers iiro aware of the really valuable gift that lias been presented to the city. Hero are some particulars of n rare MSS. the late Mr. Turnbiill acquired. E. J. Wakefield wrote a poem entitled "A Land of Our Own,"and at a banquet on one of the early anniversary days in the city the words were sung to a popular tune. So great was the demand for copies of the song that it was decided to nublish it. Attached to the original MSS. were subscribers' names, early colonists, politicians and merchants, each agreeing to pay for so many copies on publication. I don't think the work lias ever completed, but the original jsreni and signatures attached on foolscap sheets fell into my hands. Sir Georgo Grey wanted to purchase the sheets for Auckland, Mr. M'Gregor, the General Assembly Librarian, mado an offer lor the library, but Mr. Turnbull made tho best offer and secured the prize.

That is only one of many 1 know of, and I think it would be a thousand pities if great care is not exercised m handling and controlling'the collection. Sir-George- Grey told me many f me early pamphlets and books were priceiess, and that Wakefield's poem n'ould command a large figure in Londuii—Jie only regretted his purse was not rs deep as .Mr. TurnbuU's. I had carte blanche to secure any publications or documents bearing on the early history of New Zealand on behalf of the above-named collector. In tho Auckland Public Library there are many fine things the great pro-Consul secured in Wellington.—l am, etc., RICHARD BROWN. 67 Willis Street.