THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7164, 1 November 1884, Page 6

THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM.

THE COUNCIL DECIDE TO OPEN ON SUNDAYS. It will be seen, from the following correspondence, that the Council of the Auckland Institute have decided to open the Museum for a certain time every Sunday afternoon :— To G. P. Fierce, Esq., Auckland. Auckland Institute, October 30th, 1881: Sir,—The Council of the Auckland Institute have received a petition signed by 1700 residents of Auckland, asking that the Museum may be opened on Sundays as on other days. As your name heads the Hit 01 signatures, I am instructed to Inform you that It has been decided to open the Museum on Sunday afternoons from two to five p.m. In coming to this decision, the Council have had to put aside both the petition in favour of the Sunday opening of the Museum and that against it, the nearly equal number of signatures proving that, If the petitions arn to be taken as a guide, there is no great preponderance of opinion to Auck and on either side of the question. Jn the absence, therefore, of any unmistakeable expresiion of public opinion. The reasons that have mainly operated with the Council are as follows :—(1) Several years ago. when the present Museum Buildings were erected, an agreement was entered into with the Government respecting the management of the Museum. Among other things, it was provided that the Museum should be opened on Sundays as soon as the otber Musenms fn the colony were so opened 't Iβ well known that all the other public Museums are now open on Sunday aftarno n>. (2) About three years ago, a petition in favour of Sunday opening was taken in hand by the late Rev. S. Kdger, and numerously signed. At that time the Council addressed a circular to all members of the Institute, with the object of ascertaining their views. About three-quarters of tho replies received were iu favour of the opening, either immediately, or as soon as funds were Available. From the above, it will be seen ih&t in opening the Museum on Sunday afternoons, the Council are not only carrying into effect an agreement long ago entered into with the Government, but are also acting in accordance with the expressed wishes of a large majority of the members of the Institute.—l have, etc., T. F. Chcisemas, Secretary.— P.S.— The Museum being closed at present for the construction of new show-cases, it will be a few weeks before the resolution oi the Council can be carried into effect. T. F. Cheeseman, Esq., Secretary Auckland Institute. Auckland, Slst October, 18S4: Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 80th inst.. notifying to me, on behalf of 1700 residents of Auckland, that the Museum will be opened on Sundays from two to five p.m I shall have much pleasure in aoquaintinz the requlsitlonlsts, through the medium of the Pre>s, of the decision arrived at by the Council, and am glad that they have taken a liberal view of the matter. Having frequently witnessed the order and decorum of the hundreds who visit tbs Museums at Wellington, Christchurch, and Duoedin on Sundays, and the evident pleasure it afforded them, I feel sure that the privilege wiil be equally availed of, and be appreciated, by the publio ol Auckland.—l have, &c, Gio. p. Pierce.