MUSEUM MATTERS

Evening Star, Issue 23384, 29 September 1939, Page 10

MUSEUM MATTERS

MEETING DF FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION The annual general meeting of the Association of Friends of the Museum (Inc.) was held in the Otago Museum on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Willi Fels, C. occupying the chair. The annual report stated that tne association became an incorporated society on March lof this year. The principal advantage arising from this changed status would be the legal capacity rained by the association to hold and administer property, and the right to receive benefactions by will. The Cypriote pottery purchased last year ns the result of the generous gift of Mrs Mary Allen, reached the Museum this year, and most of the finer pieces are now on exhibition. Before leaving England, Dr Dale Trendall arranged with , the University Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Cambridge, an exchange whereby the Otago Museum has received a number of good pieces of Etruscan and Italiote pottery. which have also been placed on exhibition. Late in the year Mr Willi Fels, C.M.G., notified his intention of presenting his collection of coins, and this gift, along with the other developments recorded above, raised the standing of the classical department of the Museum in a way satisfactory to the founders of the association. The annual conversazione was held on August 31, and proved a great success, those present being privileged to see some of the latest accessions, and also provided with opportunities of seeing the work of the staff in the newer methods ot display. ' „ m • \ The secretary (Dr H. D. Skinner) stated that although it had not been possible to make purchases for the classical field during the year, the classical collection had nevertheless been greatly strengthened by gifts and by exchanges. Of these the most important bad been Mr Fels’s gift of hiscollection of 5.400 coins, the classical section of which numbered more than 1,500. As a result of the inability to make purchases the credit balance of the association was £75 9s 6d, larger than for many years. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of office-bearers resultedCouncil—His Honour Mr Justice Kennedv, Sir William Bennam, F.R.S., Sir Percy Sargood, Professor T. D. Adams, Dr Dale Trendall, Mesdames F. S. Batchelor, Dora de Beere, James Jenkins, Misses M. I. Turnbull, E. Joachim, A. C. Anderson. Messrs James Begg, A. C. Matheson. W. J. Morrell. G. Simpson, and Willi Fels (’chairman); hon. sccrctarv. Dr H. I). Skinner; treasurers—Miss I). J. Mowat, Dr Skintiicr;. an (liter, Mr Charles T, Lee,

A.R.A.; representatives on Museum Management Committee—Messrs James Begg, A. C. Matheson, and Willi Fels. EARLY HISTORY RECALLED. A little of the early history of the Museum was recalled when Mr F. _W. Knight remarked that he had visited the Museum in 1868 when it was opened in the Stock Exchange building.^ Dr Skinner said that the chairman of the first active Musciun_ committee (Dr Alexander) was still living in Scotland. Tlie committee of which ho was chairman held its first meeting in 1873. and its thirty-ninth and last in 1876. It was decided to send the greetings of fhe meeting to Dr Alexander.