NELSON INSTITUTE & MUSEUM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 14 September 1909, Page 2

NELSON INSTITUTE & MUSEUM.

OFFER BY 1A WELL-KNOWN SCIENTIST. LOAN SCOLIiEOOIONS AND !CON-, DITIONB. Mr Clement Wragge, the wellknown astronomer and meteorologist, has written as follows to the Management Committee of the Nelson Institute and Museum: — Dear Sir,— Mr Hilner, of Waitaki, advised me to communicate with you re the folowing: — (1). You will see by referring iff. "Who's Who," that I founded a Natural History and Ethnological Museum at Stafford, England, in 1878, which bears my name. I lent the collection to the Mayor and Corporation of Stafford for. a term Ot years, 'with a view to ultimate presentation if they properly looked after it, for the benefit of the town and country. It has been presented. (2). Since then, during many travds in various parts of til© wor]cL I have made other collections, especially in| conchology, geology, and ethnography, and these are now warehoused in several parts of the world as depots.- ' (3). As I am increasing in years I and cannot always be lecturing and j travelling, I am looking out for a genial place and climate in which' to make a home. I like New Zealand, and especially Nelson, where I. was five years ago, and where I shall be again next month in the course of my present lecturing tour, and may or may not make my ultimate home there. (4). In either case, however, I am prepared, out of and from among my extensive collections, to add to your town museum very considerably on the following terms : — (a). The collection proposed for Nelson to be lent to the town for the term of ten years. (b). If, after that time, it has been well cared for and' appreciated, I undertake to present it on condition that I be life trustee, and my son, Kismet Kent Wragge, -after me, if he -wishes} such trusteeship td carry with it the title of Curator, honorary, or as may be arranged; and thus to induce him to take an interest in the collection, and this would also apply to the' period of proposed loan,except trusteeship. Insurance would be an after consideration. < (c). The collection to carry my. name for the reason before cited. (d). The town to provide the necessary cases and equipment (and this might foe done, as at Stafford, by a small special rate), (c). I to arrange, label ■ scientifically, and classify the collection; and the town or Corporation to grant me a sum for board and lodging while engaged on this work — a work for which I am thoroughly qualified, especially in conchology, which is one of my strong points, and which I studied at South Kensington and elsewhere. This was done at Stafford. (f). I to have, the power to vary or exchange specimens; but not so as to decrease the -value of the collection proposed for Nelson as a whole. This, too, follows the precedent at Stafford. Having hundreds of "duplicates," especially in conchology and ethnography, I may add to other museums on the same 'basis, or the whole may be left at Nelson — such depending on evolving circumstances, together with a library of International Exchanges and other scientific works. If Ido settle in Nelson, and conditions are genial and satisfactory, the strong probabilities are that- the total (or nearly so) collections would attach to your town. There are many reasonß why '1 like your place and neighbourhood— the climaote is charming; educations facilities are excellent; science, ] am told, is encouraged; and, to mj present thoughts, it is an ideal N spot In thp event of making a homi among you, I would certainly ered my own astronomical (equatorial; and meteorological observatory,, jrui an independent weather service estalb lish a radium chamber, and probablj lecture-hall, . with the finest and latest astronomical Views and photographs in existence, by olectric oi othor light; throw all my energy intc t ho work of your Philosophical Society, if admitted; and do, in fact all in my powor for the welfare oi Nelson and the higher education oi tho youug. You can use, this ltter as you se( fit; submit it to the Mayor, and lei mo have an answer at- your eonveni ence. 1 am, etc., CLEMENT L. WBAGGE. The communication will be for warded to the City Council.)