DR. HOCKEN'S MUNIFICENT OFFER TO DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10417, 15 April 1897, Page 4 (Supplement)

DR. HOCKEN'S MUNIFICENT OFFER TO DUNEDIN.

How true are tho words of the great dramatist, " The eight) of ill deeds makes ill deeds done." The converse of this is also true—" the sight of good deeds makes good deeds done." We do not know fully yet what we owe to Sir George Grey for his princely gift to the city and to the Free PublicLibrary,in stimulating other wealthy public men to remember what they owe to the community in which they have enjoyed or made their fortunes. Auckland has been particularly fortunate in obtaining legacies, but in some of tbe other centroe of population in the colony, the wealthy citizens who have been public-spirited enough to benefit the community might be counted on the fingers of one hand. Dr. Hocken, when recently in Auckland, made minute inquiries from Mr. Shillington, the courteous librarian of tbe Free Public Library, as to the management of the institution, the benefits derived therefrom and the extent to which the public appreciated its privileges. Evidently the idea wits simmering in his mind of following Sir George Grey's example here, and presenting his magnificent collection of the early records of the history of the colony to the city in which he resides—Dunedin. Dr. Hocken made his noble offer at a meeting to take steps to celebrate the anniversary day of the settlement of Otago, and in making it made the following remarks :—

Tho observance of Annivorsary Day appeared to me a fitting time to express my intention of presenting my library, etc., to the public if a befitting moans of housing it were made and of providing for it efficient and continuous care. This library contains many thousand books and pamphlets relating to the history of New Zealand from its earliest days. Amongst them are pretty well complete sets of nearly all the newspapers of this colony of early date—say, from 1840 to 1870. Much of this literature iiWremely rare, and some unique. Thon follow old letters, documents, journals, and othor manuscript connected with the early days. Then come old maps and plans of rare interest, many of them given to mo by tho executors of the late Mr. Tucketb, who in 1841 was appointed as principal surveyor and engineer of the New Zealand Company. Thon there are numerous old lithographs and other illus trations of a historical charactei. I givo these particulars in no boastful way, but to enforce the claim that full provision should be made for the safeguard of such a collection before it is finally deposited. Its money value must amount to many thousand pounds; its historical and instructive value would bo more difficult to estimate. I have always determined thab this collection should never be dispersed, for its contents could never again bo gathered together, but that it should be bequeathed or presented by me to the colony, and to that portion of it in which I have spent so many happy years, and, indeed, the best part of my life. During a recent visit) to Auckland I was much impressed with the splendid building in which are placed the valuable collections of books and other treasures presented by Sir George Grey and other public-spirited citizens. Such an institution we should have at this end of the colony. It would mark our culture and forward our advancement. The accomplishment of this idea would indeed be a fitting mode of celebrating our jubilee. It was with this object and with the intention of stimulating such a movement that I made my offer, It may be said that in requiring the erection of such a building as here indicated before my gift can bo accepter! I have attached a condition to which it will be difficult to give effect. Ido not think this. I have sufficient faith in tbe public spirit of our wealthy citizens to believe that thoy will liberally contribute to such an object, and so show a good example to the general public. Ido not assume that the monoy required could be collected during tho forthcoming year, or even, perhaps, in two or three years, but 1 am sure that present united action will result in u substantial advanco being made towards tho desired end.

Mr. G. Fenwick, editor Otago Daily Times, said he could say that only those who knew the library that Dr. Hocken possessed could appreciate as it deserved to be appreciated the very generous offer he had made. The speaker hud on many occasions found it necessary to consult Dr. Hocken's library, which contained books and documents that were not obtainable perhaps in any other house in the city, and many of the books in it were not obtainable in Now Zealand. Those who did nob know tho uxtenb of Dr. Hockon'a library could not recognise the extreme generosity of his offer. Dr. Hocken was possessed of documents tbe value of which was really inestimable, and he hopsd that mooting was tho beginning of an effort thab would result in the erection of a building such as had been indicated, such as tho Free Public Library in Auckland. A meeting of leading citizens was held at Dunedin on Thursday, the Ist of April, to consider tho scheme suggested in connection with Or. Hockeii's intention to hand over his valuable library. Tbe propositi is that an effort should be made to secure tho Colonial Bank building as a home for tho library, the place to bo also used aa a free public library and art gallery. At a meeting of the Public Library Association it was resolved that ib is desirable thab a froe pubh'c library should be establishod, and a committee was appointed to confer with the committee having in hand the matter of the proposed purchase of ths Colonial Bank building?. Mr. R. Hudson wrote that he was prepared to subscribe £1000 towards tbe purchase of the Colonial Bank building, if nino others would give a similar sum, or £500 ii nineteen others would give a similar donation.