THE ATHENÆUM.

Evening Star, Issue 4940, 2 January 1879, Page 3

THE ATHENÆUM.

TO THK EDITOR. Sir, —I beg, through the columns of your paper, to call attention to the gross mismanagement of the Dunedin Athenaeum. As you are probably aware, the library has been closed for some time for the revision of the catalogue, but a notice was posted upon the door stating that it would re-open this (Monday) evening. Imagine, then, my disgust after walking some distance through the rain to find the original notice superseded by one stating that as some subscribers had failed to return their books the library would remain closed until they did so, thus punishing the many attentive subscribers for the lacha of a few careless ones. The fact is the institution requires a complete reorganisation. It has departed from the purpose for which it was originally intended —viz., a mechanics’ institute—and it is too much over-ridden by the shabby gentility of Dunedin, to the exclusion as far as possible of the class for which it was originally intended. I have no hesitation in stating that one-half the Committee neglect their duties, and it is generally reported that nearly all new works are put aside for the Committee and their friends, and the read-ing-room plundered for the same purpose. I would call your attention to the beggarly array of pictorial magazines now upon the table, ana even these are not visible until long after the arrival of the mail. Surely the favored few might condescend to return them for the benefit of the less fortunate subscribers. The ladies’ room also requires attention, for it is a matter of notoriety that inai»’ T magazines are stolen almost as soou*as served. In concl{Jßw' n » * would advise the Committee to bestir and either resign or carry out their pities impartially and energetically, as at e y at ® bringing a valuable institution into 1 am, &C ” jj, E. H. Dunedin, December 30.