EARLY SETTLERS5 MUSEUM

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 3

EARLY SETTLERS 5 MUSEUM

REOPENING OF ROOMS HON. W, DOWNIE STEWART'S ADDRESS Having been enlarged and reclassified, tho Otago Early Settlers’ Association’s museum is tho best of its kind in New Zealand or Australia. During the past month the big undertaking of remodelling the museum has been carried out, and last night tho rooms were reopened. A large gathering was present, presided over by Mr W. Nicolson, president of the association. Tho Chairman, in bis opening remarks, mentioned that the association had taken a load on its shoulders, but ho was certain it was capable of bearing that load. In the absence, of the mayor, Cr C. 11. Hayward was present, and briefly addressed those present. Ho expressed pleasure at being present at the opening of the new wing. Ho had been struck by what the Early Settlers’ Association was doing for Otago in opening the wing. By its appearance be was sure considerable effort and time must have been spent in the arranging of ilio various exhibits. Otago bad now set a lesson to New Zealand and even Australia by taking such a big step. Tho a.s.socation’s museum was of great historical importance. On behalf of tho City Council ho extended its best wishes to all those who bad worked so Uurd for tho association. Tho Hon. W. Downic Stewart said it. was quite true that it was a great work that laid been undertaken, and ho had thought how much it would have delighted the hearts of the original committee of tho Early Settlers’ Association. It would surely have been a joy to them to witness the facilities. Tho Otago Society was one of a few that never asked the Government for a subsidy, which showed its self-reliance and independence, inherited from the early settlers. The exhibits in the’association’s possession were unrivalled in New Zealand, and probably in 'ho Southern Hemisphere. Everyone real ised tlnd an immense amount of work was carried opt by the early settlers. It had occurred to him that if a Him wore produced of the carlv days of Otago ou tho lines of American pictures it would ho of great historical interest and value to Otago. The history of the province went back to Hie lime when Captain Cook was outside tho entrance to tho Otago Harbor. If a film were made Captain Cook’a journey from the Otago Heads dowu tho coast would be adminicle for liie com nieuccinent of a prologue. The speaker thou mentioned several other scenes which could well bo described in picture form, including the whaling trafQc between Otago and Sydney and the landing of tho lirst missionary on tho Waikonaiti beach. All sorts of stirring incidents of great importance could he found a place in such a film as he had imagined. Ho then touched on later events in connection with the province of Otago. It would bo an easy matter to select incident after incident to be included in tho picture proper. A pm tore of that nature would ho more interesting than many of the films shown to-day. It would ho a better eduev lion to the rising generation than a lot of the books and records available.

Touching on the records of Otago, tho speaker said it was fortunate flint tho association possessed such records of the early history as it did. Ho hoped that those people who possessed records would present them 1o the association if they could see their way clear to do so. In declaring the new wing open he wished the association all prosperity in the future, and congratulated tho members on the work they had done in bringing the association and its possessions to its present state. Applause.) Both speakers were thanked for their addresses, and those present then inspected the new rooms and their contents.