NATIONAL MUSEUMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20465, 17 January 1930, Page 11

NATIONAL MUSEUMS.

SAFETY QUESTION RAISED. PRICELESS COLLECTIONS. ROYAL COMMISSION'S REPORT. By Telegraphs-Press Association—Copyright (Received January .16, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 16. The Daily News comments upon the report of the Royal Commission on tbo National Museums and Galleries. A subcommittee of the commission considered the fire risks at the British Museum, also 'how the safety of the galleries is affected by the pressure of the cast-iron girders which support them. \ The paper asks: Is the British Museum a safe place of custody for national treasures which comprise the most valuable collection in the world? Its value is incalculable, but probably is £50,000,000, according to a Treasury estimate. It is stated that a large part cf the museum is a century old and does not accord with modern ideals. The sub-com-mittee recommends a gradual reconstruction of the floors and roofs at a coct of £340,000, also the introduction of various methods of reducing the risks, particularly the strengthening of the fire patrol, which it says is most desirable. However, the report leaves the Government to decide.

A museum official says the treasures are not insured. The staff take enormous care and the sight of a cigarette or a match makes them jump.. Firemen are on patrol all night and they have direct communication with the fire Apart from a bomb or similar outrage the danger is comparatively small. The commission says the Public Eecords Office, where priceless manuscripts are stored, is now subject to mildew. Its 200 strong-rooms are overcrowded and it would take 10 years to clean them.