NOTES AND COMMENTS

Turnbull Library Record, Volume 6, Issue 1, 1 May 1973, Page 29

NOTES AND COMMENTS

A. G. Bagnall

F. A. Bett Collection When Dr F. A. Bett died in Nelson in 1957 he left one of the finest local collections to be found in New Zealand. For over 40 years he had gathered a variety of material relating to his city and province—over 2,000 manuscripts, some 500 paintings and sketches, and many hundreds of books, maps and photographs. The Bett Collection was bequeathed to Nelson by the Doctor, on condition that its Trustees should house it at the Alexander Turnbull Library until such time as they were satisfied that Nelson had provided adequate accommodation that was fireproof, waterproof and large enough for the collection to be suitably displayed. It was not expected that Turnbull would have custody for more than five years. On 25 February the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr May), opened the recently completed Nelson Provincial Museum at Isel Park in Stoke, a few miles from the centre of Nelson city. The Bett Trustees having accepted this building as suitable, the Bett Collection was returned by Turnbull to Nelson. The first consignment, consisting of virtually the entire art collection and a selection of the more interesting MSS., was taken to Nelson by Mr R. F. Grover, Assistant Chief Librarian, in time for the opening. The balance of the Collection was sent in early May. Almost all the published material is duplicated in the Turnbull, but original items, more particularly MSS. and pictures, by permission of the Trustees, have been photo-copied to provide a record and to make them to some degree more readily accessible for research.

The Bett Collection is an admirable example of what can be done by one man, dedicated and informed. And it is still possible to form such invaluable specialised collections devoted to local history. But the fact that it has taken Nelson 16 years to provide safe accommodation for the Bett Collection shows that such collections do engender problems, and that collecting alone is not enough: the value of such material must be fully appreciated by the authorities and the general public, locally. While it is with reluctance that the Turnbull surrenders many items, more particularly some of the very fine and important paintings, the completion of the long and sometimes embarrassing Bett stewardship is a relief to the Turnbull and its staff. At least a little more room becomes available for its permanent collections.

U A House is Not a Home” The “core collections” and staff, except Photo Section and the Conservation Officer, are now fully in occupation of the “temporary” home in the Free Lance Building, 44 The Terrace. The move began on Wednesday 27 December and was virtually completed to the capacity of

the building in May 1973 when the belated erection of the preferred steel units permitted the shelving of the newspaper collection. Except for some periodicals and manuscript the entire Pacific collection is housed under one roof for the first time in 17 years. Miss Margery Walton’s months of detailed planning were magnificently vindicated, the operation itself being carried out by contractors assisted by student labour and the male and female huskies of the Turnbull staff.

The Free Lance building was suggested as a possible headquarters for the Library as early as 1965 when NAC, the then tenant, decided to proceed with the erection of its own building. However, after the passing of the National Library Act the Government Accommodation Board proposed that the building be occupied jointly by Turnbull and the Central Division of the National Library. This scheme was accepted by the parties concerned early in 1968. Planning for joint occupancy was a lengthy and demanding task, particularly as much of the work coincided with the preparation of plans for the National Library building itself. A complication was that the official forecast of the available area was considerably in excess of the final figures. So far as Turnbull was concerned, senior staff and the Turnbull Committee supported by the Trustees and the National Librarian took the view that the standard of accommodation should be fitting, appropriate and not inferior to that of the Turnbull building in Bowen Street, having regard to the real meaning of “temporary” in the time-scale of Government building. Preliminary planning of the Turnbull area on the second or top floor was substantially the work of Mr R. F. Grover in full consultation with senior staff members con-

cerned and was completed early in 1970. Working drawings and architectural supervision for the refitting of the building as a whole was the responsibility of Messrs W. Pearson and Associates. The costing estimates caused concern to those directly involved, particularly in the light of a policy of Government restraint on such expenditure but in mid 1971 the Cabinet Works Committee made the welcome decision to proceed. The contract itself took the 1972 calendar year although, as seems not unusual in such circumstances, various sub-contracts extended beyond the first quarter of 1973. It would have been most satisfactory to the Chief Librarian if he could have retired in mid-May in the knowledge that all the problems associated with the air-conditioning equipment, the security system, the protective glass panels and the display screens (to be a feature of the main exhibition area) had been resolved but regrettably this was not possible. Patience, persistence and time, however, will soon bring the building to a reasonable standard of working efficiency. The ground and first floors are occupied by the User Services and General Services Divisions of the National Library whose excellent collection of general library catalogues and bibliographies are available for consul-

tation by Turnbull staff as, reciprocally, are the Turnbull Pacific reference collections by our colleagues downstairs. There is not space here to deal with the future of the old Turnbull Building which, throughout all negotiations, the Library has been anxious to retain at least for the interregnum until the occupation of the National Library building—possibly in another ten years. Its use as a display centre and gallery (picture display areas in the Free Lance building are restricted) as well as for partial storage much more accessible than the Ford building where the Library’s general collection, much of it of the highest value, is still housed, would seem a practicable and efficient solution. It would also meet the wishes of many Friends and others who would like to see the building continue its association with the Library. At the time of writing the Government appears to have rejected proposals for its further use by the Crown on the grounds of the earthquake risk to staff which it presents, and has offered the building to the Wellington City Council. In all Wellington buildings, however, earthquake risk is a matter of degree and it is still hoped that the concept of limited use as proposed above may ultimately be acceptable. The matter is one for the Trustees and the Minister but there may be a need as well as an opportunity for the F.O.T.L. to make its views on the matter known clearly to those concerned.

Operation Fumigation One of the most important, arduous and worrying operations undertaken in connection with the Turnbull move was the fumigation of the entire Art Collection excepting the oils. This occupied the Anniversary Day long weekend, the whole project being under the supervision of the Conservation Officer. During the preceding week some 10,000 items — primarily watercolours and sketches, albums and published books —were carried from the second floor Art Room to the large one-time Exhibition Room on the ground floor. There a range of three double-sided stacks was utilised, measuring approximately 26 ft. x 11 ft. The 54 bays were fitted with an average of 14 shelves each and the 3ft. aisles were also filled.

The whole was then covered with a special tarpaulin —which seemed like a vast orange Niagara cascading upon one as it was pulled over one end of the stacks after being spread across the tops. This was sealed with sand-snakes around the base to contain the fumigant gas, which remained therein for forty-eight hours. The District Port Agriculture Officer supplied Mr Baillie with a gas mask, as the gas is toxic to humans, and the Health Department was also consulted. Warning notices were placed outside the building and at 11 p.m. on the Friday night Mr Baillie, accompanied by Mr Murray-Oliver as a fail-safe back-up, commenced

the complex release procedure which took until 1.30 a.m. Special arrangements had been made for security men to be on duty twenty-four hours a day throughout the process but Mr Baillie made periodic inspections and was joined by Mr Bagnall on the Saturday morning. All went well, with none of the expected casualties forecast by illinformed Jeremiahs. At 11 p.m. on the Sunday night, when passing traffic was again relatively light, the tarpaulin was partially lifted and the heavy gas was flushed out by carbon dioxide gas under pressure. The whole building was then aired until the Tuesday morning. For the next four days the Art Collection was interpolated with the Rare Books being taken to The Terrace. Carrying out the tarpaulin was reminiscent of the dragons seen in Chinese ceremonial processions, but unfortunately it came to life in a brisk breeze when stretched out on the front lawn, which was not big enough to take its full length and width as it was folded up. It took a dozen men over quarter of an hour to subdue the beast. The purpose of the fumigation was to treat all paper items in the Art Collection to eradicate all moulds, particularly those responsible for foxing, for mould is an organism more difficult to kill than animal life. It was important that this should be done before the art material was installed in the air-conditioned Art Room in the new premises, which could otherwise have become contaminated. It is intended to fumigate the whole of the new National Library Building with methyl bromide to eradicate animal pests such as rats and silverfish.

Message from Editor This issue marks the last which I have assembled as Editor and as Chief Librarian. In signing off in the latter capacity I wish to thank all who have assisted the Society and the Library during my seven years in office. During this time donations have continued to enhance the collections by significant new books, manuscripts, sketches, paintings and other materials as well as by heartening cash support for the Friends and particularly for the Endowment Trust. In an inflationary period when prices in the open market present a formidable challenge it has been most encouraging to assist the Library to hold its own. In the acquisition of Pacific source material, as distinct from purely New Zealand items, as well as in the field of European first editions we still need enhanced resources to enable the Library to build out the collections but the way has been shown. To members for their support both at Library functions and for the Record I tender special thanks. In concluding this note after May 18 I wish to thank all concerned for the splendid farewell gift of Portraits of the New Zealand Maori (Angas) and the set of crystal glasses, a

gesture quite out of proportion to what I have been able to achieve in the time available. While completing work on the New Zealand National Bibliography and undertaking personal research my active association with the Library will remain. I much look forward to continuing to be in touch with friends and present and past members of staff whose help has enabled us to carry through some of the tasks assumed in 1966.

ISSUES OF RECORD IN SHORT SUPPLY Owing to the Editor’s failure to make adequate provision for the rapid growth in the Society’s membership three recent issues of the Record are in short supply. The Secretary would welcome the return of copies of any of the following numbers from members who do not wish to retain their sets: Vol. 4 No. 1 May 1971 Vol. 4 No. 2 October 1971 Vol. 5 No. 1 May 1972