RATIONAL STOREHOUSE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1930, Page 9

RATIONAL STOREHOUSE

AN OUT OF DATE BUILDING RISK AT BRITISH MUSEUM TREASURES UNINSURED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 16. “Is the British Museum g. safe place of custody for national treasures, the most valuable collection in the world, whose value is incalculable, but is probably fifty millions, according to the Treasury estimate?” says the Daily News, commenting on the report of the Royal Commission on National Museums and Galleries, a subcommittee of which considered fire risks at the British Museum and also the safety of the galleries as affected by stresses on the cast iron girders supporting them. It is stated that a large part- of the museum is a century old and is not in accord with modern ideate. The sub-com-mittee recommends gradual reconstruction of floors and roofs at a cost of £340,000 and also the introduction of various methods’ of avoiding risks, particularly the strengthening of the fire patrol, which is most desirable, but leaves the Government to decide. A museum official told the Daily News that the treasures are not insured. He added: “We take enormous care. The sight of a cigarette or a match makes one jump. Firemen are on patrol all night long and in direct communication with the fire brigade, but apart from a bomb or similar outrage the danger is comparatively small.

The commission says that the Public Records Office, where priceless manuscripts are stored, is now subject to mildew and the 200 strongrooms are over-crowded. It would take ten years to clear them.