OCR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17894, 14 June 1920, Page 5

OCR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY.

I (To the Editor.) Sir,—The Council have by resolu* lion decided to proceed with tha building ol' the Library and Museum/ at an estimated cost of £30,000. The plans, which reflect great credit on the architects. Messrs Ford ano Taiboys, are nearing completion and should be ready for final consideration of tile Council in a tew days. A sum equal to £15.000 bequeathed by the late Miss Alexander is available, and instructions have been given the Town Clerk to proceed with the loan proposal for the balance of the £15,000 required. An opportunity now offers (»r | public-spirited citizens to assist a worthy cause. Cabinet has refitted our request to subsidise the work, although they only recently voted £25,000 to the Auckland Museum, which, by the way is costing between £lOO,OOO and £125,000. The Auckland Savings Bank have voted £25,000 and the Auckland Racing Club £2OOO. What about a donation from our own wealthy club and other wealthy institutions? At a later stage 1 propose to suggest that the identity of the Alexander Bequest be fully retained by designating the entrance from Marla I’lace as the Alexander Museum, and the entrance from Matt Street as the Municipal Libary or vice versa. 1 sincerely hope every citizen will see lo it that this scheme is carried to completion, and our One Museum placed in a fire-proof building at me ehrliest moment. The Library Cominitte have intimated that the space allocated to the Library will be fully availed of. The Chief Justice in the course of an address recently in Wanganui when commenting on the lack of accommodation iu the Wanganui Library and the ventilation stated there were a number 'of good books there now, but there were a lot ol good books that ought Ito be there. A reading library was [indeed the poor man's university, iln Dunedin there were two large j public libraries and special provision was made for children. He had seen between 40 and 50 children present. Why could they not hgve a similar arrangement here? He reI commended Wanganui to spend £40,000 on a library building. £20,UOO on new books and to set £20.000 aside for new books. These were the sentiments ol our Chief Justice, i commend the proposed scheme to the burgesses as one of the most necessary and urgent public works before us. The heavy advance in cost of buildings and material have rendered it impossible to build the Alexander Museum and Library in accordance.with the wishes of the donor, in the circumstances the subsidy of £ for £ is thus required to complete the work.—Yours, etc. C. H. BURNETT.