Special Collections

Using the Library, 1933 - style. Marking the University's 130th anniversary

Special Collections — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:23:19 GMT

Auckland University College Library, 1931.⁴

Friday morning, May 26, 1933 and there are only a few Auckland University College students in the Library. It is vacation and the College has just celebrated its 50^th anniversary. Silence now prevails but at other times music from gramophones and piano-playing in the students’ block wafts through the windows. Or, less pleasantly, the Librarian sharply calls out for silence.¹

The main Library on Princes Street [in the ClockTower building] measures 5,640 sq feet and was opened six years ago. Past the Lippincott table by the main door with its Library plan and charts outlining the Dewey classification system,² the Librarian sits at the imposing semi-circular central desk, kept warm by a radiator.

Because it is a vacation week day, the Library opened at 9am and will close at 5pm, without shutting for lunch as happens during term³, to the frustration of students. No freshers or seniors search the author and subject catalogue cards in the wooden cabinets. However, a young woman gets assistance from the Librarian, as recommended by the Students’ Association Handbook, which notes, “You will find the Librarian and the Catalogues are complementary.”²

Borrowing a book takes a little time as the Librarian writes in a ledger the borrower’s name, the date and the volume’s accession number or call number. Restricted to borrowing two books at a time for 14 days, it is easy to incur the one-penny-a-day overdue fine, even though the Library regulations are pasted in each book. Also, there is a notice-book, “…in which a student desirous of obtaining a book already in circulation may enter his name and the title of the book desired.”³

The College’s 1307 students, 13 professors and 29 lecturers have more reading material to choose from than ever before; most of the 25,000 books and periodicals are in the main Library, the rest in departmental libraries. But on this day, these riches are being enjoyed by only a few.

Jo Birks, Special Collections

References

¹Johnson, O. (1988). The true university: a short history of the University of Auckland Library 1883-1986. Auckland : University of Auckland Library.

²Auckland University College. Students’ Association. (1933). Auckland University College handbook for 1933.

³Auckland University College. (1933). Auckland University College Calendar for the year 1933.

⁴University of Auckland. Library. History series. MSS & Archives E-10, items 3.1, 2.1.3, 8.2, 11.2. Special Collections.

130th anniversary of The University of Auckland

Special Collections — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:27:09 GMT

This small pink, 130-year-old card from the papers of Sir Algernon Thomas is an invitation to the opening of Auckland University College in 1883.

The College, which became The University of Auckland in 1962, was officially opened by his Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, Sir William Jervois, on 21 May 1883 at a well-attended ceremony in the Choral Hall. Sitting on the stage alongside the Governor were the three new Professors, including a 26-year-old Thomas, and members of the College Council: Sir Maurice O’Rorke, Rev. D. Bruce, Rev. T Buddle, Bishop Cowie, Mr J.M. Clark, Dr Campbell, Colonel Haultain, Mr E. Hesketh and the Registrar Rev. R. Kidd.

Despite the fanfare, the new university was, in reality, a rather humble affair. With an income of £4000, no extra money for buildings and only the former District Courthouse in Eden Ave at its disposal, it was possibly not what the new Professors, fresh from the hallowed halls of Oxford and Cambridge, had expected.

To learn more about the University’s first 20 years, visit the Special Collections’ display, In the beginning: Auckland University College 1883-1903, in the General Library foyer before 14 June. Featuring photographs, letters and other memorabilia, the display is one of a number of events to mark the University’s 130^th anniversary.

Katherine Pawley, Special Collections

References
‘Auckland University College, formal opening’ Auckland star, Volume XX, Issue 4001, 22 May 1883, p.2. Retrieved from Papers Past.

Invitation card to opening of Auckland University College, 21 May 1883. Sir Algernon Thomas papers. MSS & Archives A-54, item 1/1. Special Collections, University of Auckland Libraries and Learning Services.

Before Summer Shakespeare

Special Collections — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 03:37:16 GMT

As the 50^th anniversary Summer Shakespeare season of King Lear draws to a close it is worth remembering that performances of Shakespeare’s works were a feature of campus life long before 1963.

This signed programme is from a 1936 performance of Macbeth presented by the English Department in conjunction with the Auckland University College Dramatic Society. Directed by William Sewell, Professor of English (1934-1946) it was hoped that the performance would be the first of a series of annual productions of Shakespeare’s plays.

If you look closely at the inside of the programme there is a signature for almost every member of the cast and crew and even for the individuals who received special thanks for their assistance with the production. Among the latter are the signatures of a number of 1930s Auckland academics including: H. Hollinrake, Professor of Music; A.J.C. Fisher, Director of the Elam School of Fine Arts; English lecturer P. S. Ardern, and R.P Anschutz, Professor of Philosophy.

The programme was donated to the Library in 1981 by Kenneth Horn who played Malcolm in the production. An Auckland graduate, Horn was the Chief Librarian at the State Library of Victoria, from 1967-1981.

Katherine Pawley, Special Collections

References

MSS & Archives E-8: University of Auckland historical collection part one, Box 7. Special Collections, The University of Auckland Libraries and Learning Services.

Art in the service of science exhibition

Special Collections — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:17:05 GMT

Detail from Plate II of Buchanan’s The indigenous grasses of New Zealand (1878-1880).

From the panoramic watercolour of Lake Wakatipu to pencilled drawings of plant anatomy, the Art in the service of science: Dunedin’s John Buchanan (1819-1898) exhibition at the Gus Fisher Gallery neatly captures the botanist and draughtsman’s skill at depicting items of vastly different scales.

Expertly curated by University of Auckland Associate Professor Linda Tyler, the exhibition of maps, drawings, watercolours, lithographs, photographs and fieldbooks examines Buchanan’s importance in New Zealand’s science and art history. Also on display are beautifully illustrated botanical books from Buchanan’s own library (now held at Special Collections at the University of Otago Library), which give insight and context to his scientific and artistic practice.

Born in Scotland in 1819 and trained as a calico pattern designer in Glasgow, Buchanan arrived in New Zealand in 1852, serving as a draughtsman and botanist on geological and botanical surveys and expeditions. Elected a fellow of the Linnean Society in 1876, Buchanan was employed at the Colonial Museum in Wellington from 1865 until his retirement in 1885. He published many scientific papers, including in the journal Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, for which he also illustrated.

Readers in Special Collections can view two editions of Buchanan’s major work, The indigenous grasses of New Zealand. The original three-part edition features nature-printed lithographs – prints from plants Buchanan pressed directly on lithographic stones and then enhanced by hand, alongside anatomical drawings based on his microscopic dissections. We also hold three volumes (on fishes) from his personal library.

Jo Birks, Special Collections

References

Buchanan, J. (1878-1880). The indigenous grasses of New Zealand. Wellington : Govt. printer. NZGC 584.9 B91

McAdams, Nancy M. 'Buchanan, John - Buchanan, John', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 30-Oct-2012.

http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/1b42/buchanan-john

Tyler, L. (2012). Art in the service of science : Dunedin's John Buchanan, 1819-1898 / [text] Linda Tyler. Dunedin, N.Z. : Hocken ; Auckland, N.Z. : University of Auckland, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries.

50 years of Summer Shakespeare

Special Collections — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:18:11 GMT

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of Summer Shakespeare at The University of Auckland, to celebrate the occasion Special Collections have put together a display of archival gems from past performances. Located on the ground floor of the General Library the display runs until 29 March and is open until at least 8.00pm daily; so do drop in on your way to see this year’s Summer Shakespeare production: King Lear.

The first Summer Shakespeare performance back in 1963 was Hamlet: Prince of Denmark. Directed by Professor Sydney Musgrove, the play was seen by some 5,500 enthusiastic theatre goers during its successful ten day season. The image above is from an exercise book containing Musgrove’s director’s notes from the production and shows his staging and lighting instructions for the end of Act 2, Scene 2 when Hamlet declares:

“More relative than this: the play's the thing,

Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King.”

Katherine Pawley, Special Collections.

References

MSS & Archives Accession 1128: Sydney Musgrove papers on Auckland theatre activities. Special Collections, The University of Auckland Libraries and Learning Services.

A clean slate

Special Collections — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:52:14 GMT

Even in this computer-oriented world, for most students the beginning of a new academic year will mean purchasing new stationery and the joy of a clean, unsullied exercise book.

Handy for jotting down lecture notes, ideas for poems, and mathematical calculations, the durable exercise book is a common format in archival collections.

The three exercise books shown above are part of a set of eight from the papers of John Cowie Reid, who taught English at the University of Auckland from 1948 until his death in 1972. Seven of the books contain Reid’s handwritten lecture notes from when he was a student during the late 1930s and early 1940s. All of the books were manufactured in New Zealand and most include on the back cover ‘Arithmetical tables, &c.’ which are full of useful facts.

However, the eighth book labelled, ‘books and references’, is a little larger and displays the New Zealand Standards Mark. The now familiar Standards Mark was first registered in 1942 and first used in July 1944 by the Farmers Trading Company Ltd for its range of school stationery. This means that this exercise book dates from the late 1940s or later.

New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world to have a defined standard for exercise books; currently New Zealand Standard NZS8132. The Standard includes a three-part code which defines the product type, the page format, e.g. ruled, quad and unruled, and the size of the book. Using this system a 1B5 is a soft covered, 7mm ruled, 225mm by 205mm size exercise book. With such precise coding there is really no excuse for buying the wrong exercise book.

Katherine Pawley, Special Collections

References

MSS & Archives 89/14: John Cowie Reid papers, 1932-1972, Item 135. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

Standards serving New Zealand, 1932-1982: the first fifty years. [Wellington, N.Z. : Standards Association of New Zealand, 1982].

For full explanation of the stationery coding system see the Warwick website.

Prize giving and other end of year procedures

Special Collections — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 01:21:31 GMT

In the Northern Hemisphere where the school year ends in July, Christmas provides a welcome break in the middle of winter. Here in New Zealand the two collide in a mad rush of Christmas parties, end-of-year school picnics and performances.

For secondary school students, in particular, the end of the academic year is marked by school prize-giving. Even today this is a formal event steeped in tradition, with staff donning academic gowns and students their full uniforms. Speeches are given, prizes presented and the school song sung, a process which can stretch to two or more hours, if you are lucky.

Among the papers of Sir Maurice O’Rorke are the notes for a speech made at Auckland Grammar School prize-giving in the early 1900s¹. The notes are not dated but as the chairman of the Board of Governors from 1880 until his death in 1916, Sir Maurice was a regular speaker at such events. The speech, which runs to four pages, is not short or light hearted, but Sir Maurice does wish the girls and boys present “a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” He also reminds them of the importance of this period of their lives, "when you boys are fitting yourselves for the "battle of life” and the girls if I may be permitted to tone down the war like word I have applied to the boys and say when you girls are preparing yourselves for the conquests you will make in your progress through life”.

Like Sir Maurice, the staff of Special Collections would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope that you survive the Christmas rush.

Katherine Pawley, Special Collections

References

¹Sir Maurice O’Rorke papers. 1851-1913. MSS & Archives A-40, folder 5. Special Collections, The University of Auckland Library

Earthquake Bulletins

Special Collections — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:49:49 GMT

Earthquake engineering has a long history at the University of Auckland. S. Irwin Crookes Jr (1896-1983) was a structural engineer who lectured at the then-Auckland University College’s School of Architecture when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake caused great destruction and loss of life in Napier and Hastings in 1931. Prompted by the disaster, Crookes composed four bulletins, each concerned with mitigating the effects of further earthquakes. Crookes’ first bulletin, ‘Earthquake-resisting construction, a review’, published in September, 1931, (Bulletin No. 16, Architecture Series No. 2) stated that ‘structures are being erected in New Zealand incorporating some of the very worst features of buildings that have failed in earthquakes’. He outlined international building codes and practices, questioning those of New Zealand, and strongly recommended that the University Colleges of the day have a key role in earthquake and construction research in order to ‘avoid the pitfalls of the past but also to keep permanently in touch with modern developments’. His subsequent bulletins, in 1932, 1936, and 1940, examined New Zealand reinforced concrete, Japanese design calculation methods and structural design.

In recent times the University of Auckland anticipated the need for further research and knowledge of such situations and, in 2007, The University of Auckland Centre for Earthquake Engineering Research (UACEER) was established. The Canterbury earthquakes in September 2010, and February 2011 subsequently drew into sharp focus the need for ongoing research in preparedness for the next ‘big one’, whether earthquake or other disaster. In line with Crookes’ recommendation over 70 years ago, the universities of Auckland and Canterbury are collaborating with each other, and other technology and industry groups, in a Seismic Retrofit Solutions programme that pools research and expertise pertaining to earthquakes and other disasters. Events like the 2012 Winter Series of annual lectures at the University of Auckland based on the theme ‘Hazards, disasters, risks and responses: Auckland are you ready?’ serve to disseminate awareness and knowledge by contributing to national and international seismic research.

S. Irwin Crookes Jr was an early pioneer of earthquake research at the University of Auckland and his bulletins attest to his contribution to a line of scholarship continued by earthquake research today. Bound volumes of these and bulletins on other topics such as law, history, and philosophy may be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room, and individual issues may be found on the General Library shelves and in the Architecture Library.

Yvonne Sutherland, Special Collections

References

Bulletin / Auckland University College. No. 1 (1927)-no. 52 (1957) Auckland, N.Z.: The College, 1927-1957. NZ Glass Case 378.95 A89

La Roche, John. IPENZ Engineering Heritage Jobhunt Foundation. Biographies. Samuel Irwin Crookes (1871-1955) B.Sc Eng, MIChemeE, MIEE, MNZIE. http://www.ipenz.org.nz/heritage/bio-detail.cfm?id=65. Retrieved 15/11/2012.

Lowe, Peter G. Some Professional Engineers Working in Auckland in the First Half of the Twentieth Century [online]. In Martin, Ray L. (Editor) 9^th National Conference on Engineering Heritage: Proceedings. Melbourne, Vic.: Institution of Engineers, Australia , Victoria Division.,1998: 107-113. ISBN:1858256843. [cited 16 Nov 12].

The University of Auckland. (ca 2012) The University of Auckland Faculty of Engineering Infrastructure and Environment Research Theme. [Brochure]

Solar eclipse explained

Special Collections — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 02:47:30 GMT

There are books in Special Collections for every occasion, so when we wanted some light shed on today's solar eclipse, which New Zealanders saw as a partial eclipse, we turned to Mr Blundevil his exercises : contayning eight treatises... for a 16th Century explanation.

“When is the Sunne sayd to be eclipsed? When the Moone is betwixt the Sun and the Earth, which chanceth in a conjunction, and yet not in every conjunction, but when it falleth either in the head or tayle of the Dragon, which may chance, as I said before, either totally or in part: totally I say, in respect of those parts of the earth whereon the shadow directly falleth. For [?] the Moone is far lesser than the Earth, she cannot shadow all the Earth, and therefore the Eclipse of the Sunne cannot be universall, but yet to some parts of the Earth totally, and to some partly, and to other some nothing at all, as you may plainly see by this figure…” (pp. 307-308)¹.

Thomas Blundeville (1522?-1606?) wrote on a wide range of subjects, including horsemanship, logic, astronomy and history². Our leather-bound volume of the 7th edition of Mr Blundevil … was "corrected and somewhat enlarged by Ro. Hartwell philomathematicus" and published in the 17th Century. An online version of the text can be accessed through the Catalogue.

For a more modern explanation and diagram of today's event, we turned to NASA’s solar eclipse page.

Jo Birks, Special Collections

References

¹Blundeville, T. & Hartwell, R. (1636). Mr Blundevil his exercises : contayning eight treatises, the titles wherof are set down in the next printed page. Which treatises are very necessary to be read and learned of all young gentlemen, that have not been exercised in such disciplines, and yet are desirous to have knowledge as well in cosmographie, astronomie, and geographie, as also in the arte of navigation ... London : Printed by Richard Bishop, and are to be sold by Benjamin Allen at the signe of the Flowerdeluce in Popes-head Alley. GC 520.9 B65

²Tessa Beverley, ‘Blundeville, Thomas (1522?–1606?)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Oct 2009. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/2718

Fern fever

Special Collections — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 03:24:15 GMT

The Victorian-era fever for ferns, dubbed pteridomania, also reached this country and is beautifully embodied in New Zealand Ferns, a late 19th Century album of pressed specimens.

Recently acquired by Special Collections, the volume contains 29 pages of ferns mounted by Eric Craig (1829-1923). Born in Scotland, Craig arrived in Auckland in 1853 and, after initially working in the building trades, turned his interest in ferns and curios into a business¹. By 1875 he was selling `Ferns, in Books neatly bound…’² and by the 1880s was advertising `botanical, ethnological, conchological and natural history specimens’ from his `Curiosity Shop’ on the eastern side of lower Princes St³.

Craig grew, bought and exchanged local and exotic ferns, and ventured on collecting trips, including one to the South Island during which he “penetrated the ferny dells amid bush scenery, and has brought forth from the almost hidden recesses of uncultivated nature some of her choicest treasures.”⁴

In 1886, Craig was commissioned by the `Irishwomen of Auckland’ to produce a volume of pressed ferns for British MP and former Prime Minister William Gladstone in recognition of his support of Irish home rule. The sumptuous volume contained more than 160 varieties of ferns, was bound in boards inlaid with more than 4000 slivers of local woods by master craftsman Anton Seuffert (1814 ca. –1887) and featured silverwork by Mr Teutenberg⁵. Another Seuffert-inlaid fern album is held by the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Our more modest cloth-bound volume complements the many botanical works held in Special Collections, including Hooker’s Handbook of the New Zealand Flora, Cheeseman’s Illustrations of the New Zealand Flora and Mrs Featon’s Art album of New Zealand Flora.

Jo Birks, Special Collections

References
¹Link with old Auckland. (1923, April 10). Auckland Star, p. 7. Retrieved from Papers Past.

²Advertisement. (1875, July 7). Auckland Star, p. 3

³Craig, E. (188?). Catalogue of botanical, ethnological, conchological and natural history specimens on sale at the Curiosity Shop, Auckland. Auckland : J.R. Cross, Printer

⁴(1881, May 5). Auckland Star, p. 2

⁵ The Auckland Irishwomen and Mr Gladstone. (1886, September 14). Auckland Star, p. 2