THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM. (WRITTEN FOR THE "DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3039, 23 April 1867, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM. (WRITTEN FOR THE " DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS.)

Few people are aware that the wooden onestoried building erected between allotments 5 and 6, of a subdivision of lot 21, section 9,* of the town or city of Auckland contains the nucleus of a museum. Many of the public must have been ignorant of the existence of such an institution, and very seldom hare strangers or visitors been within the doors. The ground upon which this building stands forms part of the Grammar School endowments, and comprehends about 1 rood 12 perches, which is not leased. The very aspect of this erection, its haunted look (jfc if connected with some Chancery suit), does not ttnUjfib make it either a favourite lounge, or induce collectors to send specimens to increase its attractiveness. The present is doubtless an unfavourable time for expending public money, but it would be well for the Provincial Council, during, the next session, to make some inquiry regarding its conservation, and see whether this property could not be leased, and the specimens removed to some more central situation. Four years since, a former member of the Provincial Council induced the Council to sanction the appointment of a select committee, "to inquire into and report upon the [then] condition of the institution known as the Auckland Museum, and to oonsider the advisability of adopting measures to extend and promote its usefulness." , The report of that committee was brought up on the 15th April, 1863, and was as follows : " Your committee, having visited the (museum, and taken evidence, are of opinion that the present site is ill adapted, and the building totally unfit for exhibiting the specimens contained in it, many of which, from want of suitable accommodation, still remain unpacked in the cases. "Your committee, therefore.Jrecommend some more central site, and that a building be erected for the reception of this nucleus of a museum, so that the specimens may be presorved, added to, and made more attractive to the public generally : and, should this recommendation ultimately be carried out, your Committee are of opinon that the institution should be vested in a Board of Trustees to look after its conservation." A copy of the report was afterwards forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent, but no steps seem to have been taken to carry out the wishes of that committee. Instead of building, possibly some rooms might be rented, in which the specimens could be exhibited. Subscriptions might be solicited from the public annually, appointing subscribers of J?10 life members, and donors of £1 members, the latter being eligible to serve on the Committee of Management ; and by imposing a charge of one shilling for all adults visiting the rooms, sufficient funds would be forthcoming to defray the rent, and all charges for conservation. The rooms should be under the charge of a matron, and a curator should have the care of the cases. Possibly a medical practitioner residing in the neighbourhood could afford some little time in classifying, Ac, and some practical and amateur geologists might be induced to assist in placing in order the valuable collection of ' Dr. Hoehstetter. IfWs desirable reformation oould be carried out, specimens wouldbe given to the institution; the public would take a pride in its welfare, and a pleasure in walking through the rooms. Fresh energy andjlife once, imparted to it, would not be allowed to flag, and theprobabilities are that the museum would become'a success, and an institution the citizens would be proud of. Institutions of this character do immense good to all classes of the community. A knowledge of natural history is always desirable. Some of our most remarkable men in the mother country, though of humble origin, have in.their quiet and almost unobserved wanderings made themselves famous by their collections in natural history, entomology, botany, mineralogy, and geology— these men were often consulted by great and learned authorities, and^their collections have frequently been left at their death, or purchased by their countrymen, to add to the usefulness and beauty of the museums in various parts of '* It may be difficult amid the " shock and hum" of every-day colonial life to fancy that we have spare time enough to devote to these pursuits. This is mistake, however. 'The daily walk if living in the country, to and from town, and, whenever a holiday can be obtained, the exploring of more unfrequented paths, may prove fruitful fields for amateur collectors ; whilst the fresh air and the exercise tends to promote the health, gives vigour to the frame, and has the effect of—" emollit mores, neo sinit esse feros." ActBICTTLTUBIST.