THE NEW MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 14

THE NEW MUSEUM.

» LACKING AS MEMORIAL."

COMPLAINT BY EX-SOiLDIERS.

DESIRE FOR A CENOTAPH. "There is an exterior frieze of battle scenes, interior plaster casts of regimental crests, a black marble shrine—that is all there is to-day of a war memorial character about the War Memorial Museum," said Lieutenant-Colonel T. H. Dawson, -retiring president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, at the annual meeting last evening.

In neglecting the memorial features of the structure a wonderful opportunity had been lost, Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson added. Reviewing the history of the building, he said that when, after the war, the hearts of Auckland citizens were full of joy and gratitude to the soldiers and there was plenty of money, there was a spontaneous move to erect some fitting and great memorial. A design originally accepted and promised execution provided for a hall of memories and a cenotaph in front of the building. Broken Promise Alleged!,

Whatever might be said to the contrary such a scheme had been definitely promised, but as time went on the memorial features were lost sight of in the enthusiasm of the members of the Auckland Institute for a great museum. No one of those members had been more assiduous In this diverted purpose than the present head of the institute, who was chiefly responsible for the non-memorial "extras" which had made the museum so embarrassingly costly. Application for perusal of the full statement of the cost of the building had been refused on the ground that the matter was sub-judice while the position of the museum was under arbitration. He understood, however, that arbitration was now concluded and that the museum was to be opened. "As tho result of a recent inspection I found that the hall of has been converted into a library for institute members, although certainly there is another place for rolls of names," said Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson. Neglect of Trophies. "Elsewhere are cases of war trophies unpacked—about the only exhibits left unarranged in the building—and the haU devoted to their future display is one of the very smallest. "Outside, under some trees, are a number of guns, their metal-work rusting and woodwork rotting in the weather. When it is remembered that each gun cost some lives it appears that the soldier has been badly forgotten. "Here, with a cenotaph before the building, would be an ideal place for the observance o!: Anzac Day for all time and with all the glory and solemnity demanded. Here, 70,000 or 80,000 people could easily be accommodated. At least the association can protest against the museum being opened until its memorial character has been given more tangible expression." It was decided that the association should continue its efforts along the lines indicated by the speaker.