AUCKLAND'S BENEFACTOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10093, 7 September 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

AUCKLAND'S BENEFACTOR.

At tbe meeting recently held in Auckland to consider the question of ereotinK some memorial to Sir George Grey, in recognition of his literary and art gifts and his great services to the citizens, Dr Laishley made a very interesting speooh, In tbe course of which he gave an account of the various benefactions conferred upon Auckland by the veteran statesman. The oity librarian had, ho said, informed him tbat the total number of books, ranging from the year 1460 to date, in tbe Grey collection in tbe library was 12,527. There were 350 manuscripts, from 10th century to 1890; 17 Cromwell Treaty and manuscripts; 3200 autograph letters from 1797 to date ; 400 maps, charts, and plans, early surveys of the colonies, &o. ; 83 fao-similes of ancient manuscripts from tbe British Museum ; II important telegrams ; 360 illuminated and other addresses ; total, 16,870. To the Art Gallery Sir George has given 55 oil and water-colour paintings (inoludiug many specimens of the Great Masters) ; 300 New Zealand, Polynesian, and wood carvings, and 15 Maori mate of much value, and 7 war flags ; 33 greenstone meres and implements (New Zealand and China) ; 10 boDB meres ;39 China vases, &o. ; 62 gold, silver, or copper ortioles ; 118 Polynesian cnrios ; total, 620. In addition to these there was a copy of the treaty ceding the island of Java to Great Britain and a bronze cast of Napoleon's bead. With regard to the latter Dr Laishley sftid fcjr George . bad told him it was a most valuable treasure which was entirely unappreciated. There were only two In existence. The one in tho Auckland Library had been in thn possession of the King of Portugal, and had been given to the British Ambassador, and transferred by that gentleman to Sir George. Among tbe special features of this magnificent collection were oopiea of the Soriptures in nearly 200 languages, one espy alone having cost £2500, The gift, it was said, had been valued in 1886 by a competent London valuer as being then worth £80,000, and it had since been increased by about £5000. Auckland, as a matter of fact, possessed the beat collection of philological works in the world, with the exception of that at tbe Cape, which also owbb much to Sir George's --eneroslty. Ab regarded the endowments which Sir George had secured for the city, Dr. Laishley said he was informed they were bringing iv in annual rental of about J59.000, which relieved the taxpayers to tbac extent. This did not include the street corner reserves, other oity endowments, and suburban endowments for variou.B institutions. Altogether the capitalised value of; these endowments and Sir George's gifts to the library and 4,*' Gallery could not be estimated «t less tban £300,000. Hib private benevolence t was bounded only by his means, whloh I he had often regretted did not allow him to help all who applied to him In need. It had been urged tbat it was imp/opor to do an honour to Sir George Grey while he was still alive, and also that he should not bo singled out fpubilo recognition when men V Mr Ooatley, Mr MoKelv^ --* » whoh a dmade_ma P: j; uce --^ft: * J ZT -" »°«° a - With regard to "? .. of these demurs, Dr L»ishley «« of opinion that if a man earned honour it was only right that it Bbould

itid to him during bis life, and with hit espeot to the other there wag no reason of vhy because there had been negleot in £2 he cane of the other gentlemen there ( li ihould be any in that of Sir George bo 3-rey. This is a view in which everyone tb vill concur. Not Auckland alone, but Ni Ihe whole of Hew Zealand, is the richer £] For Sir George's mnnyactsof munificence, gl ±nd the oity is doing itself honour in at erecting a permanent memorial of the to man who has done so much for it, and cl given it so much of his Jove. cfc " ' m