HASINGS ATHENÆUM AND LIBRARY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3494, 18 September 1882, Page 3

HASINGS ATHENÆUM AND LIBRARY.

About thirty persons attended the meeting held in the school-room, Hastings, on Saturday evening, to take steps to start an Atbenasum. Mr Fitzßoy was voted to the chair, and after reading the advertisement convening the meeting, he called upon Captain Russell to state what steps had already been taken to forward the scheme. Captain Russell, in a well chosen speech, related the history of the present Hastings library, and considered that, as tbe place was daily increasing in size, and more opportunities were wanted to afford harmless amusement and improvement to the increasing population, he, and others to whom he had spoken, were of opinion that, as a section of land in a very central place was available for the purpurpose, an effort should be made to float the scheme. Roughly estimated it would cost about £60 per annum, the expense ot lighting, firing, providing the reading room with papers from the four largest New Zealand towns, together with one or two Home and Australian papers. This, he thought, might be done if ODe hundred subscribers at 10s 6d per annum were obtained, and now and then have an entertainment to increase the funds. With the object of starting the affair he would therefore propose, " That it is desirable to establish an Athenaeum and reading-room in Hastings, if a sufficient number of persons are willing to subscribe 10s 6d per annum (payable in advance) to insure a sufficient sum to cover the annual expenses, and that a committee be appointed to canvas for support, the Baid committee to consist of Messrs Collinge, C. Doney, Dr Faulkner, Hayes, Ireland, Johnson, McLeod, Rainbow, Ramsay, Reynolds, Wellwood, J. N. Williams, and the mover." Seconded by Mr Birch. As an amendment Mr Reynolds moved " That the sum of 10s 6d be charged for tha use of library and reading-roora, but that 5s only be charged for the use of the library alone, thus enabling ladies and others who do not care to use the readingroom to obtain an equal advantage." On the amendment being put to the meeting only a very few were in its favour. The original motion wad then put and carried by a large majority. Mr C. Doney moved, " That tbe chairman be requested to write to Mr Bogle asking if he is willing, and on what conditions, to convey the section of land in Market-street, in rear of the Pacific Hotel, to trustees for the purposes ot an Athenffium. Seconded by Mr Beilby and carried. Mr Johnson moved, " That the committee already elested be requested to canvas for subscriptions towards the erection of a building, as well as to canvas for annual subscribers." Seconded by Mr Birch, after a considerable amount of discussion, many present thinking that by asking for too much the whole scheme might be upset. The resolution was put to the meeting and carried. Captain Russell moved, " That the committee report progress in a fortnight." Seconded by Mr Johnson and carried. After a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting adjourned.