A PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Evening Star, Issue 8267, 12 July 1890, Page 3 (Supplement)

A PUBLIC LIBRARY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —I am glad to see that steps aro proposed to be taken to establish a public free reading room in Dunedin. I am a stranger here, and 1 have been a few times to the Athena-urn on punjose to see the country papers to ascertain if there was any vacancy as I am out of work, and thought J might be successful if I searched tho country papers through. I was told that any stranger could go in when he liked. I have always gone there respectably dressed, and have noticed on the addresses of some of the papers, if I mistake not, "Dunedin Free Reading Room" ; but I was greatly surprised yesterday when told by the attendant that 1 could not come there any more. I asked the fee, and he said I would have, to pay 21s. I think it is not creditable to your City when a young man comes from England and trys all he can to get employment and as there is no free reading room' to be told to keep away. I never went in any other room but that in. which the papers were. I have answered several of the advertisements I have seen in the country papers when they are only a day old, and I might have stood a good show of getting a billet, but now there is only the Dunedin papers for me. No wonder young men do desperate things when they don't have any encouragement given them I have advertised in the ' Daily Times ' and Star, but without success so far, and have been to registry offices until I am tiredbut I suppose I must wait my time. Good references are no use in this colony.—l am Dunedin, July 10.

[The Athenajum is for the use of ita subscribers, but we are given to understand tha* no objection is made by the Committer n f Management to strangers using the r /■ room for a month. There is a fr- ead J n £ room in Hanover street, whioV ■ ee r f adm § and appreciated.—En. E.P " * IB muoh üße