THE CENTENNIAL APPEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26532, 6 August 1947, Page 4

THE CENTENNIAL APPEAL

Approval must be given to the decision of the Otago Centennial Committee to group the major schemes for the celebrations. By this action the Mayor has been enabled to launch an appeal for one central fund and the public may subscribe to it without the distraction of being unaware of what further calls on its generosity have yet to be made. Also, the energy which might have been dissipated by over-lapping of aims and of canvassing will be concentrated on the one object. In the appeal which was made by the Mayor last night are embraced the main centennial projects—the Otago Museum extension, the Early Settlers’ Association exhibition, and the centennial .history of the province. Substantial amounts have already been contributed for these causes, the various sums amounting to £63,000. The total sum required is estimated at £IIO,OOO, but when the Government subsidy is added to the moneys already received, the amount which the public is asked to give is approximately £19,000. Although the main sources from which generous support for public appeals is expected have already been drawn upon it should not be difficult to raise the remaining sum. As the Mayor emphasised in his remarks the Otago Centennial celebrations are arousing Dominion-wide interest so that, although the people of Otago will be primarily concerned with celebrating the achievements of the past 100 years, they will also be giving the province the greatest publicity sit has enjoyed since the New Zea land and South Seas Exhibition in 1925. Subscription to the Centennial Fund could, therefore, be represented as an investment to ensure the future progress of the province. The Museum extension scheme, which in its complete form provides for the erection of an entrance hall, auditorium and surrounding galleries, commends itself as a memorial since it perpetuates the interest of the early settlers in education and in general cultural matters. The facilities which will be provided will be of value to town and country alike. The scheme adopted by the Early Settlers’ Association is one which should make a particular appeal to the people of Otago. The Association’s museum houses a unique collection and the new oroposal will enable it to be displayed in a manner worthy of it. The two halls adjoining the Museum gre to be converted into exhibition rooms in which there will be a diorama of the Otago Harbour and replicas of a miner’s hut, a typical early settler’s home and other items ®f interest. By this means the life ®f a vanished era will be reconstructed, and there will be a permanent record of how our forefathers lived during the days of the settlement. The scheme possesses definite educational value, but the display will also be of a picturesque nature which should win for it a reputation

extending even beyond New Zealand. By converting the halls to this purpose the Association will lose the revenue which it has obtained from public hires, and the aim of the appeal is to establish a fund, the income fi’om which will enable the Association to continue its operations. The third of the three major projects, the completion of the centennial history, should require no recommendation. Considering the aims in view the appeal is for a surprisingly small amount of money. It should not be necessary to do more than to commend the Mayor’s appeal to the attention of the public.