AUCKLAND'S MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16657, 29 September 1917, Page 8

AUCKLAND'S MUSEUM.

FIFTY YEARS' GROWTH. NEED FOR NEW BUILDINGS. Tlffi Auckland Institute and Museum will complete the fiftieth year of its existence on November 6, and the ccasion is being commemorated by toe issue of a Jubilee Sketch, which has compiled by Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, secretary of the institute and curator of the museum. It 19 pointed out hy the president, Mr. J. H. Gunson, that both the library and museum are inadequately housed, and that the publication of the Jubilee Sketch is in reality an appeal to the citizens of Auckland for generous ? ipport. The institution was founded on X'ovember 6, 1867, an J j from a small beginning it has prwn to } its present impi ' it dimensions. : lio I yearly number •.■»' iw.lors has riff's f.'u'-v.g the v.at 25 ye' i ,» 30,000 to noarJy 100,000. , Tho institute has now reached a stage at which tho growth <.f its collections hat. (altogether overtaken he existing accommodation. More accommodation can he provided only by providing larger buildings, either on the present site or elsewhere. I The present buildings occupy only twothirds of the Princes Street area, but it is far too small for the needs of the future, and cannot bo enlarged except at a prohibitive cost. Several possible* sites have been suggested to Mr. Cheeseman, but lie has lit'Je knowledge as to how far they may ho obtainable. Amongst tho sites mentioned are those of the old Grammar School in Symonds Street, Observatory Hill in the Domain, Parnell Park, and the Albert Park green on the northern side of iiowen Avenue. In discussing tho future aims and objects of the society, Mr. Cheeseman remarks that the museums in Christclmrch and Dunedin have been built and are maintained by public funds drawn from (heir own provincial districts. Auckland has created its own museum, mainly through tho generosity of its citizens, and supports it in a similar manner. The Wellington Museum alone is maintained directly by the Government, but for many years it has suffered from the usual torpidity of Governmental action when dealing with scientific matters. Reference is made to the prenrer position of Auckland amongst the cities of the Dominion, and the opinion is expressed that ita museum must take a position amongst the chief museums of Australasia. The Government has steadily refused, ever since the abolition of the provinces, to contribute to the maintenance of any museum except that in Wellington. It is pointed out by Mr. Cheeseman that the museum in Wellington can serve only a comparatively small proportion of the population of tho Dominion. The Auckland provincial district, through the ordinary taxation of the Dominion, contributes onequarter of the cost of maintaining the Wellington Museum, without receiving anv return whatever. ''This," says Mr. Choeßeman, "is not tho time to suggest the immediate commencement of an attempt to place the museum on a higher or more appropriate level. But when the present war ceases and humanity can once more settle down to peaceful avocations, it may bo possiblo to create a new museum, planned on such a scalo and equipped in such a manner that it may adequately serve for the recreation, instruction, and intel'ectual advancement of the people of Auckland."