THE HOCKEN LIBRARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20046, 12 March 1927, Page 2

THE HOCKEN LIBRARY.

SOME INTERESTING ADDITIONS. EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOMINION. During the past six months many valuable and interesting additions have been made to the Hocken Library, most or which have been received in the form oi gifts. Among the principal accessions to the collection is a letter from Samuel Stephens, of Nelson, dated November 25, 1854, giving interesting details of life in Nelson at that date, and in New Zealand generally. The names of several well-known pioneer settleis are mentioned, and the letter, which is the gift of Dr Benson, is a very ancient-looking piece of manuscript written in a remarkably clear band. It is addressed to Mr James Clark, Glastonbury, England, with whom Mr Stephens was extremely friendly. The gift was added to the collection in September, 1926. A typed copy of a letter from the Rev. Samuel Marsden to the Rev. John Butler forms another interesting exhibit. It deals with missionary enterprise at the Bay of Islands, where the original Anglican missionary settlement in New Zealand was located. The letter is dated November 1, 1923, and is written from Kiddee-Xiddee, Bay of Islands. This letter was presented by*Mr R J- Barton, of Upper Plain, Masterton. The Rev. John Butler came to New Zealand in August, 1819, and was the first ordained clergyman to reside in New Zealand. Another welcome addition to the collection is a volume of psalms and hymns compiled by Mr R. J. Barton, who is a great-grandson of the Rev. John Butler. The volume was published in 1828, and has been presented bv Mr Barton, who is at present engaged in writing up the life of the Rev. John Butler; and his information has been largely obtained from manuscript contained in the Hocken Library. There is also an autograph letter written by Samuel Butler, the author of ‘Erewhon" and “Erewhon Revised.” This letter was presented by Henry Resting Jones, through the agency of his nephew, Dr Carmalt-Joncs. An autographed letter by Sir George Ferguson Bowen, dated June 2, 1868, and written by him from Auckland to the Duke of Buckingham, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, was purchased at a book stall. London. It describes a trip through the Waikato, and deals with Native matters. A copy from manuscript lent by Mr John Goldie, of Pleasant Point, Timaru, is another new feature. The typed matter consists of tire letters and a diary of John Goldie, and gives valuable information regarding the earlv days of Otago and Southland. It is mainly concerned with journeying toward the western interior of Otago in 1861 and 1862, and the west and south-west districts of Otago and Southland, and gives a fine description of the country passed through. Amongst other additions to the collection is a water colour sketch of "Fanny Weller, Otakou.” The date of the picture is June 3, 1848, and it was painted hy Captain James Elphinstono Erskine. It shows a Maori girl standing, and clad in Native costume. The work is regarded as being of exceptional 'artistic merit. There have also been a number of accessions to the ethnological and Polynesian sections of the collection, as well as a number of books dealing with the early history of New Zealand.