The Evening Star MONDAY, MAY 21, 1923. THE MUSEUM RESERVE.

Evening Star, Issue 18280, 21 May 1923, Page 6

The Evening Star MONDAY, MAY 21, 1923. THE MUSEUM RESERVE.

The filching of reserves is a' matter to which the Dunedin public is no stranger. Occasions have arisen when even tho Town Bolt had; to bo jealously guarded from encroachment. The position calls for no less an exorcise of vigilance when public bodies seek to trespass than when private interests are tbo aggressors. Various departments of the Government have betrayed an appetite for the Jin scum Reserve, which, unless checked, threatens to consume the whole of it in time. The process seems to bo similar to erosion of the coastline by the ocean. A bite is taken, perhaps not alarming in itself, but serving as a jumping-oil point for further inroads. Experience has shown that this involves ultimate disappearance of the whole, unless timely and efficient counteractive steps aro taken. Already- a considerable portion of tho block bounded by King, Union, Cumberland, and Albany streets has been encroached on until it is becoming something of a misnomer to call it tho Museum Reserve. The development of the Union Street School into Normal School and Training College baa meant the appropriation of tbo northern end by the Education Department. At the south-western corner stands the Albany Street Post Office, to which is attached the postmaster’s residence. Next to the Post Office is tho Police Station, with cells, and the sergeant’s residence and garden. Surely tho Government should bo satisfied with what it has already in this block. But the postal officials wish to extend their gains along tho Albany street frontage. This wonld mean decreasing the area of a moat valuable playground. It is claimed that on a fine afternoon the Museum Reserve is thronged with more children than are to be found on any other reserve in or around tho city. If growing postal business demands more spacious premises for its transaction at Albany street, might not tho site of the postmaster’s residence be turned to account and a residence secured elsewhere? One hesitates to suggest such a thing, but growth in other directions might cause the authorities to persuade themselves that increased police accommodation was necessary at the King street station, and another slice-of an open space might bo commandeered to add to that needed for the purposes of close confinement.

It is high time that a halt -was called. The Museum is the only institution with indefeasible claims in equity to this block, and to tho Museum alone should bo conceded the right to tako up further space for building. This institution belongs to tho public, and is open to tho public at all reasonable hours free of charge. It fulfils, or should do, an almost unique purpose in the combination of education and recreation. As a matter of fact, the Museum authorities contemplate building extensions. A sum of £6,000 is already in hand for t)iis purpose, and it is hoped to add a novt wing to the Museum in tho next year or two. This will involve encroachment on the playing area of tho children, but, as it is a Museum Reserve, the Museum has the right, and the solo right, to such action. As legitimate requirements have to bo met, and the area of is limited, the need to oppose any other demands for building space is doubly strong. Silently and surreptitiously (in tho memorable phrase of Richard Seddon) tho Government has in the past taken mean advantage of a dereliction of duty or oversight by some official more than half a century ago. This reserve was to have been formally vested by tho Provincial Council of Otago in the Dunedin City Council, but apparently executive action did not follow legislative decision. Tho omission should bo remedied promptly thus late in tho day, and we are glad to see the City Council moving in the matter. It is to be hoped that the council will succeed, and that, having done so, it wall prove a jealous guardian of its trust.