Work on Museum May Have to Cease

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 480, 9 October 1928, Page 8

Work on Museum May Have to Cease

EFFECT OF NEW BILL NO MONEY TILL NEXT JUNE The Auckland War Memorial Museum Bill, as amended by the Local Bills Committee, and passed by the House of Representatives yesterday, provides for contributions totalling £5.700 from the Auckland metropolitan district. This is exclusive of the Franklin county and Hikokoho borough, which were included in the original scheme for the support of the museum. There will bo no return from the rating until the end of next June at the e;u*liest, and there is little chance of the museum being officially opened for IS months. It is probable that work may have to cease until the money is available, unless private subscriptions are received, as the funds are now almost exhausted. Air. H. E. Vaile. president of the Institute and Museum, told The Sun this morning that most local bodies had power to contribute toward museum maintenance, but the object of the Act now in force was to define a fair and equitable basis of contribution. No protest against the measure had been raised by the public, but a few individual members of local bodies had protested at first because they thought it savoured of the hospital levy. This difficulty had been explained away, but one or two bodies objected upon the grounds that the Government should contribute, because the Wellington museum is maintained wholly by the State. “However, this is the Auckland Provincial War Memorial,” said Mr. Vaile. “and I think, from every point of view, sentimental and otherwise, it should be maintained by Aucklanders as a. very slight tribute to the memory of the soldiers from this locality who gave their lives in the Great War.” The passage of the Bill would enable the provision of a free public institution second to nothing of its kind in New Zealand, he continued, and a memorial which would be an inspiration to present and future generations.

“Private citizens are Liking a keener interest in it every day,” he said. “As an instance of this, Mr. John Alarshall. of Remuera, has just handed over his cheque for £550 toward the invested funds. This, added to this patriotic Aucklander’s contribution to the building and the Domain Winter Garden, makes £I,OOO given by him recently, besides another £I,OOO given in the last year.”

Mr. Vaile concluded by saying that though the contributions would be £5,700, instead of £6,000, as asked for the deficiency was caused by the'decision to omit Franklin county and Pukekohe borough, which had both opposed the Bill. It would have little effect on the upkeep.