DR HOCKEN'S TREASURES.

Evening Star, Issue 12874, 25 July 1906, Page 6

DR HOCKEN'S TREASURES.

DUN EDETS “ PREPOSTEP.OUS ” REQUEST. [Special to the Star.] CURrSTGEfITROH, July 25. The ‘ Press ’ characterises the Dunedin request to the 0 ovemment for a. grant to accommodate Dr Hocken’s collect-ion as preposterous, and adds;—“We do not think our friends in Otago axe usually lacking in either enterprise or public spirit, but at the present time there seems to bo danger of throwing away a magnificent opportunity for want of displaying the qualities to which we have referred. We are yeiy glad indeed that the Premier refused to listen to their suggestion. We hope, whether Dunedin shows proper appreciation of this munificent gift or not, that it will not be lest to the colony. If Dunedin wants it, the least the citizens can do is to provide fo? its proper- accommodation. If they do not, and Dr Hocken is disposed to extend his munificence to the colony as a whole, then we feel sure that Parliament will gladly pass a vote for the purpose of providing for its preservation as a national collection. The distinction which it certainly merits only in that case would naturally be made on condition that it should be housed in Wellington—the seat of the Government That wpuld.be a more convenient arrangement for the students as a whole, but it would be a lasting reflection on Dunedin if it allowed so valuable a gift to pass away from it for ever because the citizens ano too penurious to provide the funds necessary for its proper accommodation.”