THE SITE FOR THE DOMINION MUSEUM.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1984, 14 February 1914, Page 7

THE SITE FOR THE DOMINION MUSEUM.

Sir, —No doubt the first thing to bo considered in the above is the most suitable locality consistent with room, and get-at-ability. No doubt. : the Mount Cook reserve answers tho former, but does it the latter? The situation is no doubt out of the way,'tho only means of access being by tram to junction of Kent Terrace and Buckle Street, or by tram to Grosvenor Hotel corner. Now, no ono can say , that the surroundings of tho site are such as to entice visitors to it, even if there was a handsomo building. Tho cost of putting tho grounds into order to make thern' what' they should bo would undoubtedly bo very large. - As a. rule, people will not- put themselves out to visit any place of amusement or of education, even if free, and there being no really good means of access to the Mount Cook site, it seems that even if an art gallery was connected witli it, that fact would not induce visitors. Then, again, why put all the

egg§ in .one basket? Why riot have the $.ri Gallery in another part of tlie city, aiid so attraot visitors to all portions. I have had a look at the present site, aiid think that certainly woiiid Be most Suitable, and quite largo enough if the pieco of; ground in froilt of tho present building, to the footpath opposite tlia newly-formed street, was taken in. I rolighly estimate the size of the. ground available would then be about 300 ft. x l&dft,, which would allow for. a very large building, 'i'he situation is also a good one, as it is corripafa'tively free from diist and wind,.. Whldh aro two fireat., advantages. itil.. prbxiniity to the Qeiieral Assembly Library would also be aii advantage) unless a special library was to bo established. The site is e&sy of access, arid the surroundings aro certainly much slipieriof to that of the other. Casual visitors could more easily visit it. Hb.weverj. do not wriste time aboiit the site;, arid so make that an' excuse for delay iii erection.— I aril, etc., ' HURRY UP.