THE TURNBULL LIBRARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17974, 29 June 1920, Page 5

THE TURNBULL LIBRARY

VALUABLE GIFT To NEW ZEALAKD,

(Pus Unitk.o Pp.kss Association.)

n «* • , WELLINGTON, June 26.' .the official opeiung ol< iho 'lUrnbull Library, bequeathed to the nation bv the late Mr a. H. Turnbuli, took place today. J.'he ceremony was performed by the Minister of Internal Affairs in the presence ot a number of visitors, including- local members of Parliament and representatives of scientific -bodies.' The Minister said that the opening was taking place on the second anniversary of the death of the late Mr Turnbuli, whose wonderful library Lad been placed at the disposal of the people ot New Zealand. He asked the gathering to stand silent for a few momenta as a tribute to the memory of Mr Turnbuli. After this tribute had been paid, tho Minister said that the library was a most 'notable and valuable gilt to the nation. He had no doubt that students from every part of New Zealand would take advantage of the mine of historical information that had been placed, at their disposal. The Turnbuli Library, in its wealth of matter relating to tho early - history of New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific, was surnassed only by the Mitchell Library in Sydney. The Pacific section of tho library was now to be made available to tho public. That section contained some 12,000 books, pamphlets, and newspaper volumes.

Tlie library as a whole contained some 36,000 volumes. The Minister also mentioned that before long the historical section of the Dominion Museum Library would be housed with tho Turnbuli Library. : The Government wished to avoid duplication in matters of this kind.