FUNDS FOR MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20993, 2 October 1931, Page 10

FUNDS FOR MUSEUM.

ART UNION REJECTED. FEW BEQUESTS MADE. A proposal that urgently-needed funds for 1 lie Auckland War Memorial Museum should bo raised by means of an art union lias been rejected by tho controlling body, the council of the Auckland Institute and Museum. The suggestion, which emanated from another organisation, was not adopted on the ground that an art union would bo discordant with the character and aims of the institute. While speaking against the proposal, Mr. 11. K Vaile, a member of the council, pointed out that the, local body coritiibntions were almost the sola source of income, and that every effort should be made to improve tho position, as more funds would mean a better service to the public. No financial support was received from the Government, in spite of appeals. Nevertheless, Aucklanders wero obliged, by means of taxation, to provide one-third of tho upkeep of the museum in Wellington. A lick landers, too, were prone to overlook tho War Memorial Museum when making bequests, and during the past 30 years a, total of only £3OOO had been received as bequests by the trustees. This was an astonishingly small amount, in view of tho importance of tho institution and tho fact that all museum services were free to approximately' 200.000 people every year.