FRIENDS OF THE TURNBULL LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT 1974-75

Turnbull Library Record, Volume 8, Issue 2, 1 October 1975, Page 52

FRIENDS OF THE TURNBULL LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT 1974-75

Membership: The increase for the year was 157, bringing the present membership to 942. Meetings: Friends were invited on 29 July to a function to preview Dr Eric McCormick’s biography of Alexander Turnbull. In November a special exhibition to mark the tercentenary of John Milton’s death was mounted, and the Library marked the anniversary by purchasing nearly 700 volumes from the G. William Stuart collection. Friends were invited to the opening reception on 8 November.

On 17 April 1975 Laurie Pollock, who retired in 1974 after 55 years on the staff of J. H. Bethune & Co., gave a lively address to local Friends. His subject “Auctions past and present” was greatly appreciated by those present, most of whom had attended auctions over which he had presided.

The last meeting for the year covered by the report was held on 8 May when Prof. William Matthews, co-editor of the recent edition of Pepys’s diaries, Professor of English at U.C.L.A. and currently Visiting Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh, was the speaker. His topic was “The genius of the diary” but his entertaining talk ranged widely over many subjects, especially his interest in diaries and diarists generally.

Publications: Two numbers of the Turnbull Library Record appeared, in October 1974 and May 1975. Three new cards were published: postcards in colour bearing Heaphy’s well-known views of Thorndon and Te Aro in 1841 and a black and white greetings card of a pencil drawing by William Swainson of a scene in the Taita Gorge in 1846. Appointments: During the year the President was appointed a Trustee of the National Library.

Turnbull House: A useful summary of events leading up to the preservation of Turnbull House for at least the next ten years was printed in The Turnbull Library Record, vol. 8 (n.s.) no. 1 (May, 1975), pp. 19-21. Briefly, a report was prepared by the President on behalf of the Friends recommending the preservation and use of Turnbull House as a period Art Gallery. Discussions were held with representatives of the Wellington City Council and Ministry of Works. The City Council approved the plan in principle at its meeting in August 1974, and negotiations were then undertaken to draft a lease of the building to the Wellington City Council. The deed of lease for a ten-year term from 19 May 1975 was finally signed on 23 May 1975.

The primary aim of the Friends, the preservation of Turnbull House for the immediate future, has therefore been secured. The precise

manner in which the building will now be used is still under discussion with the Wellington City Council. Officers: President: Prof. D. F. McKenzie Immediate Past President: Canon N. Williams Hon. Secretary: Miss M. Walton Hon. Treasurer: Miss D. Sherratt Mrs I. Winchester, Messrs J. Berry, D. Glover, L. C. Staffan, C. R. H. Taylor, Dr J. R. Tye, I. McL. Wards, and Ormond Wilson. Mr A. G. Bagnall and the Chief Librarian (ex officio) were elected Honorary Editors of the Turnbull Library Record.