THE AUCKLAND FREE LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XVI, Issue 5186, 5 June 1885, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND FREE LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY.

LAYING OP FOUNDATION STONE. The ceremony associated with : tho formal laying of tho foundation: stone ,of jected Free Public Library and Art Gallery at the corner of Wellesley-strcet East and Coburg-Btreet, 'Auckland, , ' took place yesterday "afternoon, in the presence of about 3000 spectators.

His. Worabip. the Mayor QilrJ. B. Waddell) appeared upon the companied by Sir George Grey, Sir G.M, O'Rorke, Sir F. Whitaker, the Citv Councillors, the shperviempf architect (Mr H. G. Wade), the Town Clerk (Mr P. A.' Phillips), and civic functionaries, and -there were also present the : members and offieials. of moet of the local bodies, and a large sprinkling of members of the learned profesßioris.':! . .•;'■.;■;"'/;':. '■-.-. "'■.;/■;•'■ ■ A guard of honour from the Voliinfoer corps was,prcspfat. under Col Lyon, Major Shepherd,: and Captains Isaacs and Lβ Boyi ;■ The', Mayor traced the history of: the Auckland Public Library, referring in highly laudatory term's-to. Sir George Grey's munificent bequest of literary treasures, Mr Maokelvie's donations of pictures and books, and Mr J. M. Clark's handsome donation of books. . ■..'■> .. .

His Worship then placed a hermetically sealed leaden, vessel containing the usual parchment scroll, copies of the dailjr newspapers and coins of the realm within a prepared aperture betveeen two".heavy blocks of blues'tone, which ~ werei then fastened together with iron clflrapsi l , ■'" ,',';,, A: silver trowel, ; beautifully chased and suitably engraved, was presented to His Worship the Mayor by tho. contractors .Messrs.Malcolm and. Price), , while" Mr'.H GvWado,,on behalf of Messrs Grninpei and D'Ebro, the architects, presented him with a mallet, constructed oi I NewZealand woods. The top of it is o' mapau,' the body of puriri, and the. handle of wharangapiro. and the whole is riohl; carved and' polished,' while a 'silver plat" affixed;at;ono.side bears aa'.'appropriot inscription,: With these implements M jWaddel ib ! true 'workmanlike; ; rnftnno performed the formal 'act of' laying-tin stone, and declared it to ho well and trul , laij;!-.'.-,..■•.■..■.■.■.:•■;■-■■••■■.•■.-.:■•■ .-.:«■,'

TJie: Mayor, then called' uppnSir; Jrey to deliver his- promised ppeeclij and iddresses were also givonby Sir Frederick /Vliitaker- andjSjr.. Maurico O!Rorke. The titter expressed • the , hope, tliattlie Auckand members together to iring; back from the Assembly the roquisifo iinds to erect Auckland.-, University luildings. ;•;.;: ,: ';; '•;;:.; ; . .• ~ : The Mayor gave a banquet, in the even-, ng to the above gentlemen. The CJity Jouncillore, all ex-Maybre,' and ropresehtaives.of the public,bodiea wore present. Sir George oroy proposol the toast of 'ISuceesß to'the Free. Library and Art Gallery. ,,! ;:..;,, ; ;•;.:;.,;, ; .; ; ; ; ;V ;