A SYMPOSIUM.

Evening Star, Issue 12868, 18 July 1906, Page 6

A SYMPOSIUM.

DR HOCKEN'S LIBRARY AND ART COLLECTIONS. HOW TO ACQUIRE THEM FOR THE CITY. No. V. In reply to our queries—(X) How can the proposed gift of Dr Hocken to the City best be utilised? and (2) What would be the most effective way of raising the necessary funds to carry out the object in view?—we have received the following from representative citizens : Writing at this date (July 14) the first thing that strikes one is the unanimous opinion of your correspondents as to the value of Dr Hocken's historical treasures, and his generosity in offering them to this City. I have not seen Dr Hocken's collection myself, and therefore cannot form an estimation of value. No doubt, however, need be expressed on this score after reading the opinions of so many competent supervisors, who have seen and judged theui. Apart from this, the generous donor, I believe, would never have offered them but for the fact that he, at all events, regarded them as of inestimable value to the country in which he has lived so long, and loves so welL The chief difficulty, unless you can get a Government vote or municipal grant, will be in raising by voluntary contribution from the general public sufficient money to provide for future safe custody. If arrangements could be made with Art Gallery trustees, or with the Committee of the Early Settlers' Museum, to provide, in the proposed new building, sufficient room to comply with Dr Hocken's wishes, the position would be central, and, I venture to hope, generally acceptable. Yon are entitled to high commendation for the great interest you have taken in tiiis matter.—T. W. Kjsmpthobxb.

I think it very kind of Dr Hocken to offer his valuable library to the City of Dunedm. The best coarse to adopt will be to try to arrange with the Early Settlers' Association to make provision for its accommodation in their proposed new building, the site being so central. A public subscription should be raised towards paying cost of the same; but I, for one, would not sanction any money bern<* given from the City Council funds in our present financial coixlitiorL. We have too many irons in the fire already to enter-

tain say more liabilities than wo hare in hand at the present time. There is another idea that has struck me, and that is an appeal to the Government to poll down the old galvanised iron building attached to the Museum, and carry put the completion of the Museum building according to the original, plans. Then there would be plenty of accommodation for Dr Hocken's gift, and the custodian of the Museum could look after the whole building with very little additional cost.— Joseph E. White (City Councillor). The thought of being unable from any cause whatever to acept Dr Hocken's generous offer to the City and colony should be banished as unthinkable. With reference to the question of ways and means, I am of opinion that it would be both a legitimate and reasonable request to ask the Government to provide the funds necessary to furnish a room or*building wherein the collection might be carefully and securely housed to the satisfaction of the donor and in accordance with his wishes. " The present Government have, rightly, entered a strong protest against the deportation of valuable native and other relics, and it seems to me it.would be a lasting reproach on the people of the province of Otago in particular if this umque collection were allowed to pass into private hands or leave our shores. I would suggest that as soon as Parliament assembles a strong committee, having amongst its number gentlemen qualified to speak as to the educational and historical value of the gift, should be asked to proceed t<» Wellington and lay the matter before the Government and members generally. The question is not of local but colonial importance, and should appeal favorably to our representatives as a whole. As to location, a room in connection with the Public Art Gallery and Early Settlers' building (to be designated the " Hocken Gallery '*) seems an eminently suitable one. A combination such as indicated would enable the erection of a structure worthy of all three objects, and at the same time reduce the proportion of annual cost of custodian, etc., against the " Hocken Gallery " to a minimum. This latter might be undertaken by the City. In conclusion, I think the community owe you a debt of gratitude for your efforts in arousing public interest in "this matter.—J. Loudon (City Councillor). I trust, Mr Editor, that you will not consider that I am purposely evading your two questions when I say that to give definite replies that would be of direct value it will be necessary to know what your Committee propose should be done with the collection when it_ is handed over by Dr Hocken to the City. If it is simply a question of how a certain number of printed volumes and a large number of manuscripts and printed matter of various kinds are to be housed and taken care of, the question would then be : What portion of the material is it necessary or desirable to exhibit for the cursory inspection of the public! With regard to the bound volumes, the ordinary regulations of a well-governed Reference Library would probably be sufficient, but in my opinion this .portion of the collection is much less important than the remainder, and I for one should be sorry to see this mass of important documents simply put awav without being catalogued and examined and made ready for reference by students of the early history of New Zealand. To render this portion of the collection available for reference, you would require a person of special attainments well acquainted with the modern methods of indexing and cataloguing; he would find work amongst these papers for a considerable time, and then only would the foil value of the collection become apparent. I would also add that this should be arranged for before any general access is allowed to the papers. You will see that until this matter has been considered and a certain amount allotted as the probable cost your two questions can scarcely be answered. I have not. expressed an opinion as to the sire of wall or floor space that would be required, as naturally opinions differ as to the amount of the material in sketches and printed matter that would be placed on view. Speaking generally on the question of raising funds for the custody and use of benefactions to a corporation or city (which has been accepted by the Council, as representatives of the people of that city or borough), I am decidedly of opinion that the funds should bo provided from a rate, as by that means a contribution is levied from all, and each citizen contributes his quota, and is entitled to take advantage of the benefits of the donation.—A. Hamtlton (Director of the Colonial Museum). With reference to the Hocken library question, it seems to me that the conditions mentioned by the doctor as those on which he" would bo propared to make the gift to the City or the colony are not only generous bin; necessary where such valuable records are involved. There should be no difficulty in raising the funds required 1o provide a sanctuary for such a noble collection of historic relics; for I believe that if the public were to contribute, with ordinary liberality Parliament would assist ungrudgingly. Apart from the educational, value of these relics as records of the past, a proper care of such traditions of early colonisation ceruld not fail to foster that spirit of reverence for all that is excellent in the evolvement. of a nation which is absent amongst peoples who have no history, or who, having a history, disregard it. When you make your call upon the public I shnll be glad to do my share to swell the subscription, as a citizen of Otago, as n native-born New Zealander, and as an old Australian.—Geougk Jones (M.L.C., Oamaru). I have to thank you for your letter re housing Dr Hocken's library. I regret that no answers to your questions have suggested themselves'to me, but knowing as I do the extraordinary liberality of the Dunedin people, I feel sure that means will be found to provide the necessary buildings. I like Dr Hocken"s ideas of housing tie Art Gallery, the Libraries, etc., all in one handsome building. What an ornament, for instance, the new' Town Hall is to Wellington. I wish. Dunedin could have its treasures housed in as fine a building.—Alex. S. M.avcovtj (M.H.R., Clntha). Your circular in reference to the Hocken collection to hand. Dunedin must not let this opportunity pass of acquiring what, I am led to believe is one of the most, interesting, unique, and valuable collections of early New Zealand history in existence. From my little experience in connection with the housing of similar collections, it appears to me that the right place for the collection is the Public Library, and my reason for this is that the Public Library is more accessible to the general public and more frequented than any other public building. Notwithstanding the fact that the contract, for the Public Library has been let, 1 cannot see why an "extra building should not be aded to house this collection. Would it not be better to face the position by compromising (if necessary) with the successful contractors for the Public Library, and have that building erected on the site given bv the Government to the Art Gallery and" Early Settlers ? By so doing the City would then have a fine block of buildings, which could be managed by practically the same staff that would be required for the Public Library. Regarding ways and means, it should not be left to a few private individuals to subscribe sufficient funds for the purpose, but the cost of the extra building should be borne by the City. I am beginning to think that the apathy of Dunedin in matters such as these is caused by this method of leaving them -to be arranged for by subscriptions amongst a few instead of insisting upon the City Council and the Government carrying out their duties.— losua R. Wilson.