The Dominion THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1928. A CHALLENGE TO OUR PUBLIC SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 193, 17 May 1928, Page 8

The Dominion THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1928. A CHALLENGE TO OUR PUBLIC SPIRIT

The citizens of Wellington have every reason to feel pleased with the auspicious beginning that was made on Tuesday with the task of raising £ 100,000 for the Dominion Art Gallery and Museum on the Mount Cook site. Throughout the proceedings at the meeting in the Town Hall there was a strong note of optimism and determination which augurs well for the ultimate success of the campaign for funds. The Government’s donation of fIOO.OOO is, as the Mayor (Mr. Troup) said at the meeting, a challenge to the citizens. In this sense it has both material and moral point—it is a challenge to our pockets and to our public spirit. There is no doubt about the community's ability to subscribe £100,000.. Several public-spirited citizens have shown a praiseworthy example which ought to inspire others. Ihe great thing is that everyone should give something, even if it is but a mite. At present there is in sight, in definite promises, £s6,ooo—well over 50 per cent, of the sum required.. As it is not proposed to begin intensive campaigning for small amounts until £70,000 has been promised in large donations, the final drive for the remaining £30,000 ought to be successful. There are one or two points in connection with the scheme upon which the public should be perfectly clear. In to-days issue the Mayor refers to a misapprehension which apparently prevails as to the precise nature and scope of the enterprise. The appeal to the citizens, he says, is for the definite object of providing a National Museum and Art Gallery, towards the cost of which the Government is subscribing £lOO,OOO on condition that the city will raise a similar amount. The National War Memorial is another matter, for which the Government itself is responsible. “All that is known,” said Mr. Troup, “is that in Mr. Massey’s time it was decided to erect a National Memorial at a cost of £lOO,OOO, but that has nothing to do with the Government’s generous subsidy to die local movement to provide a Dominion Museum and Art Gallery.” It is quite possible, of course, that the Government may suggest that the National War Memorial might be incorporated in a composite architectural scheme, in which would be included the Dominion Museum and the National Art Gallery. The tower for the proposed Carillon and a Hall of Memories have been mentioned, but reasons may arise for a reconsideration of those ideas. At all events, the immediate objective for citizens to aim at is .the raisihg of the’ balance of £lOO,OOO in order to ensure the fruition of civic aspirations dating back twenty years. It can be done, and, since our civic pride has been challenged, it should be done.