THE OTAGO MUSEUM.

Evening Star, Issue 4199, 11 August 1876, Page 3

THE OTAGO MUSEUM.

The meeting convened by Lis Worship the Mayor, to consider the position of the Otago Museum, took place in the Provincial Council Hall this af iernocn, and was attended by some forty gentlemen.

The Mayor said those present had met for the purpose of considering the position of the Otago Museum, and especially to decide how it was to be supported in the future. This matter was one of great importance to the people not only of this City, but of the whole Province. Museums were admittely very valuable adjuuets to arts, science, and learning; and if they were to allow their Museum to' fall to the ground after making such a fair beginning to establishing one, it would be a matter of deep regre 1 to the whole Province. As they were aware, the structure now approaching towards completion was established out of the vote of the Provincial Ceuncil, but-, unfortunately, tha 1 ; ins l itntion would, he thought, like many other institutions in this Province, have no future support from that source. They would, doubtless, remember that a few days ago, in answer to Mr Stout in tho Assembly at Wellington, the Premier stated that it was not the intention of the Government to subsidise or provide in any way for any Museums, except one to be established in Wellington. A Museu min Wellington was of as much service to us as one in Melbourne. Some provision would have to be made for maintaining this very valuable institution in the future. Mr H. S. Chapman said that the first resolution had been placed in his hands, and he had great satisfaction in moving it, because he approved of the movement. He moved-"That steps betaken to procure a vote of L 2.000 for the purebnse of the fittings and cases for the new Museum buildings ; and a farther sum for rho current expenses of the Museum after th* 30th September next." He explained that provision had only been made by the Provincial Council up to that date. Dr Stuart seconded the motion, saying that he considered it would be a great calamity to the higher educations if the institution was allowed to fall to the wall.

The resolution was adopted. Professor Salmond moved, and Bishop Neville seconded the following resolution, which was adopted mam. con. -.— " Besolved, that the time has now arrived when the Otago Museum should be placed on a permanent footing; and that for this purpose it is desirable thatau endowment of land b: set aside for its maintenance."

Professor Couohtbet mentioned that museums in the British Colonies were supported by State aid?. During 1873-4, which was not an extraordinary year for expense, no less a sum than L 14.700 was given to the British Museum by the British Government, L 4.054 to the Museum of Practical Geology, L 1.500 to the Museum of South Kensington, L1.800t» the Boyal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In the United States 40,000d015. were given annually to three Museums. It was incumbent on tbe Colonial Government to aid the Dunedin Museum, The Hon. Mr Reynolds stated that Professor Co ugh trey had mentioned the endowment to the Canterbury Museum. Theie w..uld have been no difficulty in securing a similar endowment for the Oiago Museum had rctionbeen taken at tbe time; but it was possible the session had now so far advanced that they would have some difficulty in getting it. 1 heSuperintendentof Canterbury had taken good care to look after the interests of that Province, and had introduced a Bill for the higher classes of education. The Bill was carried tl.rou»h the House before there was much press of business, and he (Mr Reynolds) urged his colleagues from Otago o take similar action, and he understood that they were doing so now. Before he left Wellington he understood that they were taking action to obtain an endowment lor the Otago Museum. Had action been taken in time they would have had no difficulty in get'ing it, but it was now possible that it might ce put off for twulve months—at the same time he thought some provisions should be made till such time as they had a proper endowment. Mr J. L. Gillies said that as speaker of the Provincial Council he had been called upon to propose the third resolution. He regarded the compliment as manifesting the liberal action shown by the Provincial Council in its dealings with tbe Museum, and he had no doubt that had the Council been afforded another opportunity of meeting before being dispersed that they would have granted an endowment to the Museum. He expressed his hearty appieciation of the services of Captain Hutton, the curator, and moved, " Resolved, that the Provincial Executive bo requested to recommend to the General Government the necessary votes to carry out the above objects, and that the chairman, the movers aud seconders of the various resolutions, an I suah other gentlemen as were willing to attend, be appoin- ed a deputation to wait upon the Provincial Executive, and urge upon them the desirability of giving effect to the foregoing resolutions. Mrß. Isaac seconded the motion, which was carried.

In moving a vote of thanks to the Chairman, Mr S. Gillies msntioned that Mr H. 3. Chapman had very generously offered to go to Wellington to urge on the General Government the claims of the Museum.

We understand that the deputation referred to will wait on the Executive on Monday.