MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SITE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15970, 12 November 1919, Page 6

MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SITE.

To the Editor,

Sir, —Your leading columns of Saturday contained a reference to myself as having altered my stand in reference to building a museum and library on Queen's Park. As a matter of fact I have not changed my position in the matter at all. May I be allowed to remind you that your own attitude in the matter has considerably varied. Some three years ago the Council contemplated making the top flat of Queen’s Park a “civic centre” by the erection not merely of the Sarjeant Gallery but at a. later date of a Town Hall and Museum. That proposal had my support and I greatly regretted the necessity of having to abandon it. After the Council had decided not to go further with it, you yourself urged us stiongly to proceed with it and went so far as to exhibit the architect’s sketch i lans of all three buildings in support of your contentions. I do not for a moment question your right, indeed your duty, to alter your (pinion if the facts so warrant, but you must, when necessary, concede the same right to others. However, I have not changed my stand at all. I have always contended that the museum, as well as the Sarjeant Gallery, should be erected at a suitable place in the Park. I did not, and do not, consider that the site favoured by the majority of the Council is the proper cite I consider that all the area of the Park not occupied by buildings (and in buildings I include the museum and library) should be open to every child and every adult in the Borough, What the Council has consistently opposed is shutting up any part of the Park for any one section of the children to the exclusion of the rest of the public. I have always been of opinion that Queen’s Park is the most suitable both for the Sargeant Gallery and Museum. In view of the fact that the combined area of the two buildings will not exceed half an acre, the objection that the playing area is being unduly restricted is absurd

Another point must be taken into account. When the new museum and library ip. built we will be able to remove the present museum and library, both of which buildings are on the Park and are nearly worn out. The areas thus freed from buildings will more than compensate for the area occupied by the new building.—l am, etc., C. E. MACKAT.