DOMINION MUSEUM

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 270, 20 August 1925, Page 3

DOMINION MUSEUM

WHAT ABOUT THE NEW BUILDING ? In the Legislative Council on Tuesday the Hon. G. Al. Thomson moved, “That this Council is of opinion that the Dominion Aluseum should be placed ulioer the control of a board of trustees, as only in that way would it be possible to secure that public interest in its extension and success which will lead to the erection of a new, commodious, and fije-proof structure.” The present state ot the museum, Mr. Thomson said, was not a reproach to Wellington, but to succeeding Governments who had allowed it to get into disrepair. The Hon. T. W. Hislop seconded the motion. fhe Hon. M. Cohen did not think the Government should contribute to the museum building until the public had 'done their share. Sir Francis Bell explained that the , museum was already under the control ot a board, and the trouble was that the board would make no attempt to raise any part of the money. The board had refused to consent to the situation ot a museum at Alount Cook, and to utilise a specially suitable building lor the purpose. Instead, they desired to use a site which was urgently required for other purposes. In 1914 he had brought in, and the Council had passed, the Science and Art Act, which provided for a Dominion Aluseum in the city of Wellington on a site to be hereafter determined, with a Dominion art and science library, with a prescribed board. That board had been appointed, and the mover was a member. The Act also provided that the board should manage the museum and the staff employed. Did the mover require the repeal of the Act, or did he desire the section in regard to the site repealed ’ In his jpinton a large part of the contents of the library was rubbish. The Government had not ignored its duty in regard to the contents of the museum, and was ready to meet the board half-way in fhe establishment of a suitable museum. He would not oppose the motion, but he certainly would not vote for it. •

Sir William Hall-Jones thought the object of the mover might be, helped by ventilating the proposal. The board should not insist on the retention of the present site, but should accept the Mount Cook site. In bringing the matter forward the Hon. G. Al. Thomson would probably succeed in getting “a move on.” The Hon. G. Al.’ Thomson said he was aware of the Act of 1914, but the board constituted had not the least power to do anything, and was a dead letter. Sir Francis Bell: The board had not done anvthing. Air. Thomson : “It could not—the whole matter was in the hands of the Alimster of Internal Affairs. He had never raised the question of site; lie was terested in getting the people of Wellington to contribute to the building; but they would not do anvthing until a representative board was constituted. Or. paper they had contributions of £45,000 in sight, but the gifts were conditional. Tlie board was always making recommendations to the ATinister of Internal Affairs without result. The Department seemed to be determined that it should hae the whole of the management and no one else. The motion was lost on the voices.