Case W4
- Honours, Knighthood, and Library Advocacy
Photograph of A.H. Reed and relations at his C.B.E. investiture, 1961 (Photo News).
Reed never sought official recognition but was named in the Queen’s Birthday honours list in 1948, being awarded an M.B.E. for services to literature. His investiture occurred in the Dunedin Town Hall in 1950. He was again recognised in 1962, receiving a C.B.E. At the time of his official investiture, he was on his East Cape to Cape Egmont walk and a private ceremony occurred at Government House in Wellington before Reed made his way back to Dunedin.
From left: A.W. and Reta Reed, Selwyn Reed’s wife Ava, John Reed’s wife June, A.H. Reed, and A.W. and Reta’s daughter Heather.
Greetings card, Mary Ronnie, Dunedin Public Library, to A.H. Reed, Dunedin, 27 November 1974.
In the Queen’s Birthday honours list of June 1974, Reed was made a Knight Bachelor for services to literature and culture. A private investiture occurred in November 1974 at the Dunedin Municipal Chambers. The 98-year-old Reed was deeply uncomfortable with all the pomp and ceremony and had no desire to be called Sir.
On display is the congratulatory card sent by the City Librarian on behalf of Dunedin Public Library staff with the minimalist message to ‘Sir A.H. Reed.’
Letter, Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, London to Rev. Jim T. Gunn, Dunedin, 11 July 1974; envelope with Reed’s scrawled response.
Among Reed’s closest friends in late life were his neighbours Reverend Jim and his wife Margaret Gunn. The Gunns initially lived in the manse next door but subsequently moved to nearby Picardy Street. They would regularly offer Reed lifts to and from town by car and helped to supply him with nutritious meals. It was in fact Jim Gunn who first touted the idea of a knighthood for Reed in a letter to the Governor General.
In Books and boots, Ian Dougherty relates an amusing story in which the reluctant knight refused to pay to have his name included in Debrett’s Peerage, but Gunn quietly sent off the required contribution in Reed’s name.
Displayed here is the letter sent by the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor to Gunn, who forwarded it to Reed. Reed’s confused response “me no savvy” is inscribed on the envelope.
Letter, Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, London to Rev. Jim T. Gunn, Dunedin, 11 July 1974; envelope with Reed’s scrawled response.
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Letter, A.H. Reed, Dunedin to D.M. Shirley, Town Clerk, 12 May 1972.
A.H. Reed was an active supporter of the Dunedin Public Library from at least the 1920s. His earliest recorded donation dates to 1926, and items from his collections, including autograph letters, were displayed here more than twenty years prior to the original Reed Collection gift of 1948.
When the Dunedin Public Library Association was revived after years of recess in 1948, Reed was a foundation member of its executive, and served as president throughout the 1950s, resigning in 1960. He subsequently served as a vocal advocate, initially for necessary building extensions, and later, when the idea emerged in the late 1960s, for a new Library building.
Displayed here is one of a sequence of letters between Reed and the Town Clerk on the need for a new building with adequate storage to house the Reed Collection.
1981 pamphlet detailing the design and layout of the new Dunedin Public Library.
Until his final couple of years, Reed would habitually work in the Library at least two afternoons per week selecting books for purchase from auction catalogues, in consultation with City Librarian Mary Ronnie. But, as he had presaged in numerous letters to the Council, Reed never lived to see the opening of the new building in 1981. He was however aware of the plans and approved of them.
