THE HOCKEN COLLECTION

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13696, Issue 13696, 12 September 1906, Page 5

THE HOCKEN COLLECTION

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. POUND-FOR-POUND SUBSIDY UP TO £3000. (From Our Own CoitiiESPOiiDm.) WELLINGTON, September 11. By appointment Mr G. Fenwick, accompanied by, Messrs Arnold, Barclay, James All«i, 1/ i'lacketizie, and Sidev, M.II.R.'s, bad an interview with the Premier on the subject of the Hocken library, and the question of a Government subsidy on moneys subscribed by tho poonlo of OUtgo 'or tho purpose of the housing and maintenance of tho collection. Mr Femvick stated the position at some length, and gave full particulars of the expression of public opinion on tho question of a site, and the voto taken at a. nicer- »>? of subscribers, which resulted in the selection of the railway station site in preference to that at the Museum. Ho said ne favoured the railway station silo himfelt,ol) accouiit of the central position, and tho belief ihat the Hocken. collection should be associated with flic Art Gallery, but quite recognised that feeling had changed a good Ideal in favour of the proposal that the Hocken library be located with the Mttsouni. After dealing wilh these matters, Mr Fenwick said ho had received a telegram from the Mavor of Dunndm authorising him to mako application io the Government for a subsidy on tho amount so liberally subscribed by the public. Ho urged tho claim of subscribers and those working to tecum the library for the colony to f'encrous recognition at tho hands of the Government, ami trusted the 1 render would recognise it was a case tor a pound-for-pound subsidy on the amount subscribed. Dr Hockon" bad, when first announcing his generous gift, said it was for tho colony, although naturally desirous it should be located in Dimedm. i.

Mr Barclay supported the claim advanced by the previous speaker for generous recognition by tho Government of tho value of the gift as a colonia' possession. Mr Allen specially pressed on tho alienfion o[ tho Premier llio imperative necessity for Iho careful preservation of tho collection for all. time, and strongly urged that the-University site bo selected. Tho Premier received tho request for r a Government grant most cordially, and. on the tpicstion of silo, said bo must recognise the weight of argument in favour of tho Museum. He would be prepared Io recommend tho Cabinet to mako a grant of pound-for-pound on public subscriptions up to £5000. Ho would not stipulate that, the site chosen must lie tho Museum, but strongly recommended that site.

Mr Fenwick thanked I lie Premier very sincerely on behalf of subscribers and the public for tho satisfactory grant he was prepared to recommend.

In tho afternoon tho Cabinet mot, and agreed to malm tho grant), as stated, and Sir Joscnh Ward has written to jlr Fenwick officially slating thai; a. pound-for-pound subsidy will lie given up to £3000.