DOMINION MUSEUM

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 192, 9 May 1924, Page 2

DOMINION MUSEUM

“PRESENT BUILDING A DISGRACE” DIRECTOR ADVOCATES NEW SYSTEM Complaint at the inadequate accommodation for priceless national treasures in the present Dominion Museum building, and a plea for the immediate erection of a more up to date structure, were the burden of the tcsmarks of Dr. J. A. Thomson, director of the museum, at the To Aro Advancement Association’s monthly dinner yesterday. He said that his idea of a museum was to follow in the footsteps of New York, London and Paris, and to have not altogether scientific exhibits, but exhibits which the [general public could understand and interest themselves in. Tho museum should be made an effective educational force. One. idea ho had in mind.. was tho establishment of a navigation hall, at one end of which would be Maori canoes, and at the other end a model of H.AI.S. New Zealand. In between those two would be all the models of ships it was possible to get possession of. What was wanted was that the Dominion Museum should, be put under a board of trustees, and the Government guarantee its support. Although, in tho matter of an annual grant, the Dominion Museum was better off thart other museums, the trouble was in the lack of accumulated funds. The New York Museum was supported by the people, aided by the Government, and there was no reason why the same system should not hold good in New Zealand. The present Dominion Museum building, lie declared, was a disgrace to the Government and Wellington. The Government had at long Last 'ocen persuaded to offer £75,000 for a new building, but they had made it conditional on Wellington raising another £75.000. Dr. Thomson considered the idea sound, but the method wrong. He thought a board of trustees might to be set up, a < site given, and the board allowed to draw up plans and then make an appeal to the public for funds in instalments. The whole building was not required at once. The Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright), said that a small committee was at work considering ways and means, and very shortly a larger committee would be sot up. Ho thought it rather much to expect tho people of Wellington to raise £75.000. but he did not think they could hope for anything more tnvoura’ole. He thought Wellington could raise sufficient at one time for one wing. Bv getting a National Art Gallery combined with a Dominion Museum, ho thought a larger number of people.could bo made to interest themselves in the object. Mr. U. McLaren promised the support of the Civic League in anv efforts to secure a better museum building-