19

1.—14.

G. J , . C. CAMPBELL.

2. In consequence of the difference between your valuation and that of Mr. Blow's, the Committee thought it desirable to ask both of you to attend the Committee again in order to ascertain whether you have any doubt about the valuations you submitted to the Committee before?—l have no doubt about the valuations —I think they are sound. 3. Have you looked into them since?— Yes. 4. Have your valuers looked into them since ?—One of them has, but the other I have not communicated with, as both work together, and each knows the opinion of the other. 5. You are quite satisfied that that is a safe valuation which you submitted of the Government Buildings land? —Yes. G. Mr. hard.] Do you know, Mr. Campbell, if there have been sales on the other side of Lambton Quay higher than .£2OO a foot—l mean in the same position as the Government Buildings?— Yes. There was a property bought in the other day at £270 a foot, but that was further down the street. 7. I think you admit that the values fall the further you get this way?— Well, I am not prepared to admit that altogether—it depends a good deal upon the situation. 8. But do you consider the land on the other side of Lambton Quay is worth as much as that on this side?—No, I have not considered it so in my estimate. Wednesday, 2nd September, 1908. AunwsTus Hamilton examined. (No. 6.) 1. The Chairman.] What is your position?— Director of the Dominion Museum. 2. Will you tell the Committee whether the accommodation that you now have for Museum purposes is satisfactory or sufficient? —It is neither satisfactory nor sufficient. 3. Is the building occupied by the Museum a wooden building?— Yes, a wooden building with an iron roof. 4. And therefore you are at the risk of fire?— Yes, at the risk of fire. 5. I presume you consider you have a valuable collection there! —The collection is not only valuable from that point of view, but it is irreplaceable. Man}' of the specimens which are there could not be replaced for any money. (i. So that in your opinion it is desirable that it should lie better housed —that is to say, in a fireproof building if possible? —Yes, I think mo. I think a fireproof building is absolutely indispensable. 7. Then, in regard to space, would the present space suffice, or would you require more?— I should require a considerable addition to the area I have now. 8. Have you any idea of the size of the building that you would require! — lt would be difficult to give you anything like an exact idea, but, speaking generally, I should say an area of about 200 ft. by 100 ft. or a little more would do for the building at present. !). How does that compare with the building j-ou have at present got?— That is about 50 per cent, larger. 10. Have you given any thought to the question of the most suitable site for a new building: should it be on the present site or on any other site somewhere near?—l do not think it should be on the present site. 11. Do you think a convenient or suitable site could be found in any part of the grounds surrounding the old House of Parliament! —I do. I think that a site could be found there with ease. 12. Would it be sufficiently convenient for the public?— l think so. I.'!. Do you know whether any plans have been prepared with a view to that contingency?-— Not that 1 am aware of. ■14. Right Hon. Sir J. (1. Ward.] You know, Mr. Hamilton, that a short time ago it was contemplated to erect the Museum or to utilise the building at Mount Cook for the Museum? —Yes. 15. In connection with the proposals now before tin's Committee the suggestion has been made by myself in Parliament that as an alternative the lawn-tennis ground behind the old Parliamentary Buildings would be a suitable site for erecting the Museum on. Do you know that site?— Yes, I know it well. 1(J. Of those two sites, which is the better? —I think on the whole the Parliamentary Buildings site is the better. 17. In connection with the site where the Museum is at present, the extension of the building that lias been authorised for the Mines Department prevents there being sufficient room for the Museum?— There is not sufficient room. 18. And there would be no inconvenience from the public point of view or from your point of view as Director of the Museum in carrying on the business if the building were erected on the old Parliamentary Buildings site? —There would be no difficulty in carrying it on there if the .iica was found to be sufficient — the site is perfectly suitable. 19. Do you know of any other suitable site in Wellington that the Government has?—No, 1 do not. 20. Hon. Mr. Sinclair.] Tn regard to the natural specimens that you have in your present building, would they preserve themselves better if in a new stone building! — Certainly. The safety from fire and the ordinary preservation would be much better in a proper stone building than in the present. 21. Are yon able to exhibit the specimens that you have now?—l cannot exhibit 50 per cent, of them.