AN HISTORIC GIFT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 7

AN HISTORIC GIFT

MONUMENT OF INDUSTRY There are in the gallery and museum of the Otago Early Settlers Association many articles and records of inestimable value. To-day it is a living link with the. founders of the province and their descendants, and each year it is being the addition of treasured relics. _ The institution has been fortunate in having associated with it a number of men who made its improvement part of their life's work. One such was Mr J. J. Mallard, who was its president for five years preceding his death on March 26 last year.

For more than half a century Mr Mallard was a collector of facts relating to many interesting activities. It is, of course, one thing to make such a collection, but quite another to have the items readily accessible. Mr Mallard did both and was for many years consulted on a wide range of miscellaneous matters. His wish was that this unique collection of records should be appropriately and permanently housed in the Early Settlers Museum, and there they have now been placed.

It is impossible to sav just how many records arc comprised in this collection, but there are approximately 15,000. They are written on separate cards or consist of magazine and newspaper clippings, many of which are also attached to cards. There are also folios and scrap books, the whole being carefully recorded. Some of these are contained in separate cabinets. The data relating to shipping is particularly exhaustive—launch - ings, mishaps, visits, etc.. being faithfully recorded. Early history is also particularly strong, and there are numerous records, relating to prominent' people. There are also famous dates, as well as hundreds of facts of historic and wide popular interest, and the whole constitutes a monument of industry. The complete collection is neatly arranged in a recess in the Early Settlers' strongroom.