Friends of the Turnbull Library

Turnbull Library Record, Volume 11, Issue 2, 1 October 1978, Page 143

Friends of the Turnbull Library

I. McL. Wards President

Annual Report for 1977178

MEMBERSHIP The number of financial members is now approximately 936. meetings The Annual General Meeting was held on 29 June 1977 and was followed by an entertaining and enlightening talk by Dr Michael King on his work as Te Puea’s biographer.

A special general meeting was held on 29 September in a vain attempt to enable members to claim tax exemption on their subscriptions by altering the constitution. At the conclusion of formal business Dr Michael Hoare delivered his stimulating 1977 Hocken lecture ‘ln the steps of Beaglehole: Cook researches past and present’. On 6 March 1978 John Thomson, editor of Early Music, spoke about the research he has done for his history of New Zealand music, illustrating the talk with tapes and recorded excerpts.

On 6 April Colin Franklin substituted at very short notice for Professor Graham Hough who was unable to come. Mr Franklin gave an intimate, polished and interesting talk on his experiences in the rare book trade in England. The final meeting for the year, at which several lawyers and their wives were guests, was a lecture on St Thomas More by the world’s leading scholar on More and Erasmus, the Abbe Germain Marc’hadour.

the Turnbull library record The changed format heralded in last year’s report was first seen in Volume 11 No. 1 ofMay 1978. An elegant, modern looking Journal, largely to the design of Janet Paul, has emerged. The editors, Mr J. E. Traue and Ms P. A. Griffith have maintained the same high standard for the articles and have added a greatly enhanced appearance. Printing costs have increased to the extent that most of the subscription income is now absorbed by the cost of the Journal. In the short run this is acceptable; in the long run the Alexander Turnbull Library Endowment Trust may be asked for assistance. The Record commands increasing local and international attention.

the turnbull house The management committee of the Turnbull House was this year incorporated as The Turnbull House Council, a charitable and educational trust attracting tax concessions on donations and income. Two galleries have been completed on the first floor and work is now being done on the ground floor in the former rare books room. There are two permanent tenants who have a room each, a number of organisations who occupy public rooms on a regular weekly or monthly basis, and there is an increasing number of short term bookings. The Trinity College and the Royal School have held their music examinations in the small gallery.

Finance to complete refurbishing remains a problem. The Minister of Internal Affairs made SSOOO available from lottery profits, and the Friends of the Turnbull Library have donated SIOOO, which appears on our statement of accounts for this year. Any Friend who is interested may apply to the Secretary of the Turnbull House Council for a copy of its annual report and balance sheet, P.O. Box 10-257. Miss McNicol was succeeded as Secretary by Mrs Keith-Kirk.

general The Committee has presented to the Library an annual subscription to the journal Moreana, an international journal designed to further the study ofthe life and work of Thomas More. The congratulations of the Friends have been given to Mr A. G. Bagnall for the award of 0.8. E. in the Birthday Honours. I wish to thank most warmly Miss Margery Walton, Secretary and Miss Darea Sherratt, Treasurer, for their continued good offices throughout the year, and the Committee of the Friends for their support.