CHILDREN AND MUSEUMS
(To the Editor.)
Sir—I cannot understand how the article under the above heading in to-
night’s “Daily News” came to be written. In the first place, the members
of a scientific congress held in Perth recently stated that in the use of
the Museum by school children, W.A. easily showed the way to the rest of
the Commonwealth. Secondly, the Museum is extensively patronised by school
children. I have not heard of any having been refused admission. Thirdly,
the whole of our Museum is arranged from an educational standpoint, and a
series of cases in the mineral gallery was specially arranged for school
work. Fourthly, the fish room is closed to children only because finances
do not permit of the provision of cases to protect the specimens. Even so,
none of my students have been refused permission to enter it unattended
when engaged on special work. Fifthly, both Mr. Glauert and Mr. Pitt-
Morison (though very short-handed) spend much time escorting parties of
children through the Museum and lecturing on the special exhibits they
have prepared.
The only difficulty I have experienced with regard to children using the
Museum is that owing to the very limited staff it is necessary to close on
two days every week. I venture to say that if D.C.C. will make inquiries
he will find that on a population basis there are twice as many children
use [sic] our Museum as any other in the Commonwealth. Even schools as far
distant as Fremantle send their parties from time to time.—Yours, etc.,
HAL M‘KAIL.
James-street, June 15.
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