MANY VISIT MUSEUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 843, 11 December 1929, Page 6

MANY VISIT MUSEUM

10,000 IN WEEKEND PROTECTION FOR EXHIBITS More than 30,000 people have already visited the new War Memorial Museum, according to a report presented yesterday at a meeting of the Council of the Auckland Institute and Museum by the director, Mr. Gilbert Archey. The attendances on the j two opening days were calculated as at least 5,000 on each occasion, and .since then 23,839 visitors have passed through the building. The week-end attendances were: —Saturday, November 30, 2,978; Sunday, December 1, 7,677; Saturday, December 7, 1,625; Sunday, December S, 8,345. “I previously intimated that the display would be far from complete, particularly with regard to the labelling,” said Mr. Archey. “Nevertheless, we have been able to get at least temporary' or incomplete displays in practically every showcase in the building, and we hope that they will be of some interest in the meantime. “Already over 20,000 specimens are on view, and it will he understood that setting these and others out in a still more attractive and instructive manner with interesting labels will absorb a great deal of time for many months. “In fact, it may be said that our educational and research work will be only just beginning when we have the whole of the collections, both display and study series, properly arranged in their respective exhibition or storage cases. The proper programme, therefore, seems to he to continue labelling and adjusting the present exhibition series until the store room is fitted up, next to get all the specimens not on exhibition in proper order, and then to effect the improvements in the exhibition series which a more leisurely study of all the material available will make possible. The preparation of a brief guide to the museum to be sold for a few pence is already in hand.

COLLECTIONS FOR SCHOOLS “We must, however, go straight ahead with the travelling loan collections for schools, and I have invited the Headmasters’ Association to discuss details with me before the holidays so that some such exhibits may be got ready early next year.” The president, Mr. H E. Vaile, paid a tribute to the work done by Mr. Archey and his staff. He suggested that his'Official designation should in future be director, as befitting bis position in charge of such an etxensive museum. Mr. Archey was. granted an extra month’s holiday on full pay. A special minute was’ placed on record coneernifig the official opening of the building. Some concern was expressed regarding a means of protection for the exhibits. It was reported that the proposed scheme of the Auckland Elec-tric-Power Board for lighting each window at night would accentuate the poor profile of the rear of the building, which was unfinished. Lighting only the front, on the other hand, would give no protection- against burglars. The probable cost of upkeep was discussed, hut it was pointed out that the expense would be much less than the wages of the two night watchmen who would otherwise be necessary.

The council decided to send an expression of sympathy to the Carnegie Institute regarding the loss of Captain J. P. Ault in the explosion on board ’the scientific yacht Carnegie. A number of new exhibits were received, including the royal flag of King Cakobau (Thakobau) of Fiji.