Museum support not forthcoming
At the fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin City Council, Cr Begg moved the adoption of the finance committee’s report, which stated that an application had been made by a deputation from the Otago University Council for financial assistance from the council towards the upkeep of the Museum and the Hocken Library.
The matter would be considered with next year’s estimates, and reported on then. Cr Larnach said he thought the Hocken Library should have been added to their own library, but he could not see his way to support it while their own library was being starved.
He considered that the Museum itself was a very valuable institution. Cr Tapley put forward a strong plea on behalf of the Museum as a feature of interest and value in the
city. As to the Hocken Library, it would have cost some thousands of pounds to add it to their own library, and the museum authorities were therefore entitled to a debt of gratitude for shouldering the responsibility.
It had recently been stated by a well-informed authority that the Dunedin Museum was the most up-to-date in the dominion, and he himself was convinced that
it was a credit to the city. If they contributed £500 a year to the Museum it would be only a fair thing, and would be generally endorsed.
Cr Begg said the whole matter would come under review when the allocations were being considered. In the past the council had contributed £75 a year to the museum, but during the war the vote had been withdrawn.
It might be possible to help the institution in the future.
The report was adopted.
Historic day at Waitangi
Russell: A very large gathering of Natives and Europeans assembled at Waitangi for the purpose of opening a Native memorial hall and unveiling a Native roll of honour.
The Prime Minister and Dr Pomare were welcomed in truly Native fashion, both by hakas and speeches by the Native chiefs.
The occasion was a very historical one, and expressions of loyalty were frequent.
After the huge assembly had feasted, the opening of the memorial hall, close to the Waitangi Monument, was performed by the Prime Minister.
A golden key as a keepsake was presented to Mr Massey by Mr Tau Henare. After the hall was opened a roll of honour containing the names of 2000 Native soldiers was unveiled by the Prime Minister. Mr Tau Henare presented Mr Massey with a mat in honour of the occasion.
Amongst the ex-Native Ministers present were the Hon A.T. Ngata and the Hon Sir James Carroll.
The table used was the same as that on which the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Early in the morning Mr Massey unveiled a roll of honour in the Russell School and inspected the Opua wharf.
‘Good class of settler’ arrives
The majority of the immigrants who arrived by the Dorset yesterday were Scottish and Northern Country people, and were considered to be a very good class of intending settler. One of the officers of the Dorset remarked to a Star reporter that although he had seen a good many drafts arrive, he thought the present number on the ship to be one of the best all round attachments he had seen arrive in the country.
“They are they are a particularly solid class, taking them all together,” he said, “and I think the very class of settler you want.
"You know it takes some moral courage for people to sell up their homes just now in the Old Country and face a life in a new land, particularly when we hear of such bad conditions prevailing in the dominion.”
Defence Department reductions
Wellington: Reductions in officers and other ranks of the Defence Department total over 1000.
The civil staff has been reduced from 520 in 1919 to 95. The training age for Territorials will be further reduced from 22 to 21, and there will be only three annual quotas under training. Last year the age was reduced from 25 to 22.
— ODT, 30.3.1922
