NATIONAL MUSEUM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11028, 17 March 1914, Page 3

NATIONAL MUSEUM.

A SITE DEADLOCK. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, March 16. For the moment, at any rate, there is a doadlock over the proposal to build j a National Museum in Wellington. Tho scientific hoard which now lias the direction of the Museum, favours rebuilding on the present site behind building on the present site behind Parliament House, but the Hon F. H. 0. Bell, the Minister under whose control the museum comes, has a decided opinion that this would bo a mistake. Until ( lie difference is settled New Zealand will have to do without its national art gallery, because legislation authorising the erection of a museum stipulates that tho gallery must be part of the plan. The Minister favours the adoption of Mount Cook, a commanding position at the southern end of the city, where a big brick barracks stands. "This building," said Mr Bell, "would make the finest place in the world to 6tore fhistorical records. It is absolutely fire-proof. Tho cells in it could be utilised for storage and the corridors for tables where the records may ho studied. I want the Museum and Art Gallery alongside. . This question *')f storage for historical records is extremely important. Only this morning I war, shown an ordinance of 1842, signed by Governor Fitaroy. It is in tho custody of the Lands Department. No doubt all the original ordinances connected with the colony's early institutions could be collected, if we had a, suitable place in which to house them. Unless we use the Mount Cook barracks, it will cost £IOO,OOO to erect a suitable building elsewhere for records alone."