CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14525, 29 November 1912, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

LANCASTER PARK AKD AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

TO THE EDITUB OF "THE TKESS." Sir,—Referring to Mr O. Anderson's letter of the 2/th inst., ro Lancaster Park and amateur athletics, I am quite ia agreement with him as regards the good relationship existing between the two bodies. What ho prophesies about the Christchurch runners entering in scores, I sincerely hope will come true. In the past, athletes have bitterly complained of the lack of interest and support given them by the affiliated clubs in nob providing sufficient races for them. Probably in some quartors there is room for improvement, but the fault does not altogether lie with the clubs, as I have known cases of clubs having to abandon races on account of not getting the entries and support of tho athlotcs. Now that the Fete Committeo have put on a modified Marathon Race, with such tempting prizes, it behoves ai. the athletee of Canter* bury to show their appreciation by {riving the fete a record entry, and also doing their share from the athletic community, in holning to clear the debt on Lancaster etc., H. S. WILLIAMS.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

to THE EDITOR 01" "THE tBESS." Sir, —Sotno months since I wrote to your paper that from personal knowledge what is now known as the Public Library was transferred by the Literary Institute to the Provincial Government to become a provincial library. I believe there is no evidence in existence that it was ever intended as a. local institution, to be governed in any other way than is authorised by the provincial ordinance. The Board of Canterbury College, therefore, appears to mc to bo the right body to carry on tho Library for all time. To delegate or to seek'to procure an Act of Parliament to direst themselves of an educational duty that the Board was set up to carry out, would bo to neglect an obvious duty. It is to bo hoped that the City Council will not take over the charge (leaving out all questions of expense) seeing the immense amount of work that they have already on their hands. Indeed, it seems to mc if they did they would bo assisting in creating a breach of trust with those members of the Literary Institute who surrendered their claims in tho site and buildings to establish a provincial library. I may say that t was hon. secretary of the Institute for a considerable time, and I always took en interest in its welfare, and although I was not in office at the time the actual transfer to the Provincial Government took place, the first negotiations were commenced before I left office, and that no other library or reference library whatever was ever thought of. If there are any moabore - now alive who held office ac the time of the transfer, I think that they would agree with mc that the only public library in Chrietchurch contemplated was the one now in existence. When the Provincial Government ceased to exist, it was generally understood by the public that the Library would be supported to a certain extent out of the revenues of the reserves exanted for educational purposes, supplemented by members' subscriptions, and it is only of late years that an endeavour has been made by the Board to nnss on the : linbilitv of the upkeep and working to the City Council.—Yours, etc., E. DEXHAM. Sumner, November 36th, 1912.