THE

REPORT OF

POWYS-LAND

MUSEUM AND LIBRARY COMMITTEE.

THE Committee have much pleasure in being able, at the end of the first year of the existence of the Museum and Library, to report most favourably of its prospects.

The additions to the contents of the Museum and Library, enumerated in the foregoing pages, are both numerous and varied. During the last year no less than 284 separate donations have been made by old and 57 new donors. Some of them are of considerable value, and comprise several objects; whilst others are of less value, but, nevertheless, much appreciated, as often supplying gaps or "missing links in previous acquisitions. The Committee take the opportunity of remarking that no suitable object should be withheld merely on account of its seeming unimportance, for when a number of apparently insignificant objects, forming part of a series, are brought together in one collection, they acquire collectively an importance which each separately did not possess, and quite out of proportion to the intrinsic value of each.

The Committee, whilst appealing for the gift of minor objects, confidently hope that the Museum will become the recognised repository of the antiquities of Powysland, and that as its collections become more extensive and perfect, it will attract many of the relics of antiquities of the district, which are still in the hands of private gentlemen and collectors. The addition of objects of Natural History and Geological specimens are also earnestly sought for.

Amongst the donations, about 110 volumes of books (besides pamphlets), some of a valuable and rare character-have been added to the Library. The Committee trust that now a separate and capacious room has been provided as a Library, it will constantly receive accessions of books from private and public sources, and become avaluable Library on general literature as well as on the subjects which are sought to be made its speciality, viz., "Books bearing on the History of Wales, Books by Welsh authors, and Works of a general antiquarian, topographical, and scientific nature."

The care-keeper is recompensed by occupying the
cottage rent-free.

Sundry payments for coal, brushes, cleaning the

The number of visitors who have entered their names in the Visitors' Book during the year ending October 1, 1875, is 1728.

The Committee venture to hope that this will be considered a satisfactory beginning, and bear comparison with other similar insti

tutions.

In their last report the Committee mentioned that the satisfactory state of the Building Fund, showing a balance in hand after all liabilities were discharged, gave rise to hopes that the original design for the buildings might ultimately be carried out. Their anticipation was soon realized, for it was felt, as a necessary preliminary to the proper and full development of the Institution, that a room, separate from the Museum, for a Library and Reading-room should be provided. A plan, laying out the whole of the land, was prepared and circulated, a copy of which it is thought well to annex to this report.

This library is a room 30ft. long, 26ft. wide, and 12ft. high to the wall plate, and has partially an open roof. It is lighted by four large windows fronting to Red Lane, and another window on the west side.

It is planned in connection with the Museum, with the view of further extension, for the purposes of a School of Art, the establishment of which the trust deed of the Museum site contemplates and provides for.

A contract was entered into for its erection for £345, which, with the architect's commission and other incidental expenses, will involve a total expenditure of about £400. In the Appendix (A) to this report is contained a list of the subscriptions to the Library building fund of £374 12s. 3d., leaving a deficiency of about £30 still to be raised. £300 has been paid to the contractors on account.

In the beginning of September last it was found that the new Library was in a sufficiently advanced state to admit of the Annual Meeting of the Club being held therein in the first week in October. In order appropriately to inaugurate the opening of the New Library, and also to aid in the establishment of a School of Art, if such were

found to be practicable, it was determined to hold an Exhibition of Art and Archæological objects on the day of the meeting, and to continue it for a week. Communications were held with the authorities of the South Kensington Museum, who at once consented to co-operate and to lend a collection of Art objects at the expense of the Department, but "on condition that part of the proceeds be set aside as a nucleus for the promotion of art instruction, even if not enough to induce the Committee to build at once."

A meeting of Members of the Club resident in the neighbourhood was convened, and a Committee formed, consisting of the following:

E. Maurice Jones, Esq. (the Mayor of Welshpool), Chairman.

Rev. J. E. Hill, Vicar.
Rev. D. P. Lewis.
Rev. Augustus Field.
T. B. Barrett, Esq.
Edward Jones, Esq.
G. D. Harrison, Esq.
Rev. W. V. Lloyd.
Morris P. Jones, Esq.

A. C. Humphreys, Esq.
W. Fisher, Esq.
D. P. Owen, Esq.
Samuel Powell, Esq.
W. T. Parker, Esq.
W. Wilding, Esq.
Richard Williams, Esq.
C. E. Howell, Esq.

Thomas Bowen, Esq.
Morris C. Jones, Hon. Sec.

And all other members of

the Powys-land Club who choose to join.

The following circular was issued by the Committee:—

"POWYS-LAND MUSEUM AND LIBRARY,

"WELSHPOOL, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 1875.

"SIR, "I beg to inform you that, at a Meeting of Members of the Powys-land Club, the Mayor of Welshpool in the Chair, it was resolved that an Art Exhibition, under the auspices of the Powys-land Club, be held at the Powys-land Museum and Library, on the 4th October next, to continue for a week, and a Committee was formed of the Gentlemen present, and others who had consented to act, and also all other Members of the Powys-land Club who choose to join.

"It is intended that the Exhibition should include the following classes of objects:

Oil Paintings

Water-Colour & Other Drawings

Bronzes

Antique and Art Jewelry.

Coins.

"You are respectfully invited to aid the efforts of the Committee, and to lend or to procure from friends the loan of such objects, for the purpose of this Exhibition.

"Having regard to the limited capacity of the rooms, and in order that due provision may be made, the Committee desire that intimation of the space required, and of the objects to be exhibited, should be given not later than the 20th September next, addressed to the Secretary.

The Art Exhibition was thus organized, and held from the 4th to the 9th October, and also, at reduced rates of admission, on the 11th and 12th October.