MEMORIAL TO THE LATE* . EDWARD OOSTLSY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7914, 5 April 1887, Page 5

MEMORIAL TO THE LATE* . EDWARD OOSTLSY.

It hae been proposed that some public memorial should be erected to the memory of Edward Coatley, by whoso benefactions the city has so greatly benefited. We have no doubt that this would have been done loug since, but for the miaimderstandiug which existed in reference to the ideas which it was thought that Mr. Costley entertained during hia lifetime in reference to the disposal of his property. That his wealth has richly endowed many of our best institutions, all have heartily acknowledged, but there was a total lack of anything like an enthusiastic desire to manifest esteem for his memory, it being thought that he was merely a miser who had endeavoured to amass as much money as possible, without any idoa of doing good with it at any time. The proceedings at the opening of the Free Library, however, dispelled that idea, because by the paper read by Sir Maurice O'Rorke, and whioh was written by Mr. Costley's oven hand, it was shown that in February, 1574. Mr. Costley had committed to writing a statement of hia properties, had named two of our most eminent citizens, Dr. Campbell and Mr. Walter Grahame, as trustees, and had solemnly dedicated all his wealth as fol-lows-.—"The proceeds of all the land property to be invested in the best way that can be for the relief and benefit of all aged persons, man and woman, und all who come undor the head of charity to be relieved as far as it soemeth meet." It is thus inado clear that Mr. Costley had for many years—for he had doubtless had this in his mind for a long period prior to IS74—contemplated beuofittiug the city of Auckland by his wealth. Our citizens ought all to be rejoiced that they can now soe him in a very different light from before, and ought to be ready to do full justice to his memory. Why the paper read by Sir Maurice Q\Rorke was not made public before this, we cannot imagine. At one time thcro was of the will being contested by persons to be relutivee, but all that long since died out, the money has beei*|divided, and the seven institutions speoino#|in the will drawn by Mr. Samuel Jacksofl«f-the Sailors' Home, the Parnell Orphanf Home, the Hospital, the Free Library," the Auckland Institute, the Kohimarama Institution and the Old Men's Refuge—have each benefited to the extent of over £12,000. One would have thought that the lirst thing which should have been done with such a paper was to publish it in order that the citizens of Auckland should in their minds have done full justice to Mr. Costley's memory. That justice should assuredly be done now. This was acknowledged in the fullest manner at the opening of the Five Library. The only question that remains \*: What is the best method of perpetuating Mr.Costley's memory, and preserving a memorial of the benefits which Auckland owes to him. Our idea is, that in each of the institutions benefited there should be erected a memorial plate recording his gift. There could be no objection to doing this out of the funds of the institutions. The memorial plate should be as simple and inexpensive ae possible. But besides those, there should be a public memorial, erected by the voluntary offerings of the citizens, and placed in some conspicuous public position. The institutions benefited by Mr. Costley's legacy should not contribute, but their managers might take an active part in raising public subscriptions. What the form of this memorial should be is for tho public to determine. Our idea is that a statue or bust would not be tho most appropriats .mode. But something might be erected, the priceary object of which would be the preservation of the memory of Edward Costley, and which would also bo an ornament to tho city. That, however, ia a matter of detail for consideration. But we think it should be settled as soon as possible that such a monument should be erected. Auckland has been made a different city by tho gifte of Edward Costley. But for his donation, the Free Library would have been little better than a name, and such a building as we have now erected to contain it would have been entirely unnecessary. The rate levied could hare done no more than paid the necessary costs of attendance. But now the Library is endowed with ample funds for the purchase of new books — funds sufficient to enable it to outstrip in a few years any library in these colonies. The donation to the Auckland Institute again has raised a concern which was merely struggling from year to year to koep itself in existence, to a position which enables it to extend its accommodation, to increase its muaoHim, and largely to benefit science in this city and colony. The gift to the Sailors' Home will doubtlees be inado of great service to the seamen who visit tho port. Indeed, a wise division was mado of Mr. Costley's wealth. These gifts will push Auckland ahead of any other city in the colony in many important respects, and will be of benefit to it in the future for ever. All doubt as to the motives of tho old man must now be dispelled. For years ha had contemplated that it should bo devoted to the benefit of t'ue people of Auckland. It now only remains for us to determine tho form of a modest and permanent memorial to his memory.