A SYMPOSIUM.

Evening Star, Issue 12871, 21 July 1906, Page 2

A SYMPOSIUM.

DR HOCKEN’S LIBRARY. AND ART COLLECTIONS. i HOW TO ACQUIRE THEM l?OR THE CITY. ' toTvi. In reply to our queries—(l) 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 ; With reference to your circular re the public-spirited offer of Dr Hocken, I have to say that the doctor himself appear? to me to have indicated soma of the steps to be taken. • An inspection of the collection. to determine its nature and value should first be made by competent authorities, and such an' inspection would determine the extent and character of the _ accommodation required for the collection. Many of the Objects, I infer, are historical and antiquarian', rather than of popular interest. Such objects will increase in value as time passes, but they will not require space for exhibition.- The collection should be housed either in the Public Library or the Art Gallery, or, better still, all three institutions should be included in one building. The proper authority to take the stops and implement Dr Hqcken’s conditions and to secure the collection is the City Council.—Wm. Hewttson.

Your efforts to excite interest in connection with the generous offer of Dr Hocken are worthy of all praise. It will bo a lasting disgrace to Otago if such a unique collection of historical documents is allowed to pass beyond its borders. At the time of the Jubilee I had some experience in hunting up old articles and fast-fading reminiscences illustrative of the early 'history of the province. It is a toilsome and costly business. After much correspondence,' for example, I traced the only likeness of the first teacher in Otagol (Mr James Blackie) to Chicago* The only portrait of another pioneer was secured after much patient diplomacy. Dr Hocken had spent time and money; he has travelled widely and toiled hard. He has justly earned the distinction of a Ulysses as well as a Herodotus. It is to be hoped his munificence will provoke many to such liberality as will meet the conditions needed to secure the fruits of his long and toilsome industry. 1 shall be glad to do what T can.— Jas. Chisholm, Presbyterian minister, Roslyn. I beg to reply to your inquiry re Dr Hocken’scoffer of his books, plans, maps, pictures, and general literature dealing with the Mstorv of this colony as follows: (1) How best utilised: I think by the erection of commodious rooms, with ample spare for display of plans and so forth. Without the least doubt, for ,the exhibit to have its best or indeed any practical educational value, it would be absolutely necessary for a competent and trustworthy person to be appointed as custodian m attendance. (2) I should have thought the City would, through its executive officers, have long since grasped the opportunity. If funds bo not forthcoming in this direction, a general subscription should be started, to which I shall be happy to give my share. Writing as one who knows the value of the proposed gift, in so far as it is possible to appraise something not reproducible and unique, I cannot too strongly urge the, desirability of Dunedin securing this collection of a lifetime. I shall suggest to Dr Hocken that in the event of bis generosity failing to meet with a ready response he write to the other centres, if he be still minded to present his book? and so forth to some New Zealand city, Md to bestow his gift on that, city which shall show by willing preparatibns the sense entertained not only of a' duty but the realisation of a golden opporfamitxr, H. Buckland. j