The Free Public Library.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 102, 2 May 1890, Page 2

The Free Public Library.

— — •—+ A conferetiot- between the Froo Public Library Commit^o and tho delegates appointed by the variofW Friondly Societies took place in the Chamber of Commorco last evening. Mr. J. Duthio, Chairman of the Committee/ presided, and the other members proaent were Mogors. J. Fethoriok, 51. Kennedy, B. S. HalwWnß, and G. Woodimd. The delegates of the' societies present woro Messrs. W. Higginberiltom (United British Order of Oddfollowe), P. H. Fmeer (1.0 E), Maronoy (H.A.C.B S.), S. Wa/tora (M-U^ i 1.0.P.), D. Hall (Star of Wellfnftoa Lodge, 1.0. G.T.). H. Williams (Loyal Petone, . M.U., 1.0 0.F.), H. J. White (Cour* Kobi» Hood, A.O.P.V, J. Robertson (Court Siir floorge Grey, A.O.P.>, G. Bedford (Exoelrinr ■ Tent, No. 19, I.O.B.), W. Guiso (Loyal Antipodean Lodffo of Oddfellovrs). The Cbairmon explained that tbe amount now subscribed was .£2631 10s 5d r a snna whioh, ho thonghb, was very irratifyincr, more espeoiklly when it was reoolleoted that the number of subscribers was not over 130. He disagreed with those who bold that the movement did not have the sympathy nf the working 1 olasses. Ho did not think that the wtoking classes were lew alive to tho importance of founding a Froa Publio Library than in an? other community, end it was in order to bring 4Ne matter more prominently before them that the ' aeaistanod of tha. Friendly Sooieties had been invoked. Mr. Levin's subscription of Jslooo' and othor large donations was an evidraae that the wcH-40-do people favoured tho .movement, but iti ftrder that the project atanld be> thorougtfl'y successful the assistance of all olaßses was required, and tbo smaller lubBoriptionß of Tforking people and others of 2s Gd and 5s were t'aluable, in bo far as that they Bhowed the workitag chunea were in sympathy with tho moveihent. Ha wa» quite certain tho library would t» biesßiDg to the community, and He trusted the delegates present would be aWrto make some Btfg^estiona for bringing tho matter more into totech with all olasses. Mr. Bobertsoa was of opinion tbat tfrere> was a certain amottnt of indifference with regard to the library itveVailinfr amongst theFriendly Societies, tnnt iudifforence being dne to tho fact that therff had been a> want of positive information aa to how the library was to be oondnoted. Ho and »any others wished to knorr whether it was proposed to have the library open all day to all classes. The Court of Foresters which he represented bad voted £5 5s on condition that tho delegate was satisfied that the institution was of a democratio oharacter. " The Chairman explained thtt several replies had been received to the qtcories forwarded to Free Publio Libraries in AutSralias as to how these insitutions were matnaged, but tbo communications would not be donaidered until a more permanent Committee had boon appointed and the letters of the English libraries wcro to band. The publio, however, could reßt assuroii that tho institution would ho kept open all day and during reasonable hours at nigbt, and b* free to every man, woman, and child in thecommunity. A small rate of id in the SS wonld bo struck to pay the working exponscn. Mr. Hawkins believed in erecting a handsome and comfortable building, »J»d he* expressed the opinion that no one wonld objeot to pay id in the £ towards tho cost. Mr. Kennedy suggeatod that ' a eohen* should be brought forward by whioh a third of the members of the Board of Management would be chosen from outside the Corporation. Mr. Robertson moved, " That the representatives of the Friendly Sooieties here will do their utmost to support the projeot of the foundation of a Free Public Library in Wellington." Mr. White, in seconding the motioD, asked whether it was intended to have a free lending library, Mr. Hawkins explained that the eommitteo bad already considered that matter, and while they oould not guarantee a free lending library at first, there was a desir* tkafr eventually there should be such a library. After further discussion the motion mi agreed to. The Chairman promisod to call the cubRoribera together before the committee resigned their functions to the City Counoil. A vote of thanks to the obairman oonoluded the business.