A LIBRARY FOR OPAWA

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21404, 21 February 1935, Page 9

A LIBRARY FOR OPAWA

♦ NO DEFINITE PROMISE FROM COUNCIL MEETING OF PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE The Christchurch City Council has not yet made any definite promise that provision will be made on next year's estimates for the erection of a library at Opawa. The chairman of the provisional committee, Mr F. H. Dephoff, stated at a meeting of the committee last night that he considered it likely that a library would be erected this year, but the secretary, Mr H. Jackson, reported that the Town Clerk, Mr J. S. Neville, had told him that there was a proposal to make some alterations to the Papanui Library, and he did not think that the council would provide for two libraries in the same financial year. Mr Jackson reported that the general impression of the councillors was that the committee wanted an expensive library that would cost the council about £3000; but this was not so. The cost had never been mentioned in the correspondence. The chairman remarked that it had been suggested that the library could be built of stone from the council's quarry at Halswell, and it was probably this suggestion that had created the impression that an expensive library was asked for. "Up to a point we have been given to understand that provision would be mads in the estimates for the next financial year for the library; but we have been given no definite promise," he added. Crs. J. W. Beanland and J. Mathison would attend a combined meeting of the Burgesses' Association and the committee to discuss the position. It was decided to enquire when it would be convenient for Crs. Beanland and Mathison to attend. Mr Jackson further reported that the committee's request for a grant from the proceeds of one of the art unions had been refused. However, acting on the advice of the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) he had arranged a deputation which waited on the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. Sir Alexander Young). The Minister had advised the committee to make further application when the building was erected. The deputation had received a good hearing. It was decided to seek the assistance of other bodies in the district to hold a carnival or fair in aid of the library funds. The sum of £4 16s 2d is at present in hand.