HILLSIDE RAILWAY WORKSHOPS LIBRARY

Evening Star, Issue 19005, 29 July 1925, Page 4

HILLSIDE RAILWAY WORKSHOPS LIBRARY

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tho subscribers to the Hillside Railway Workshops Library Institution was held in the social hall last evening. There was a good attendance, the president (Mr W. 11. Johnston) being in the chair. Mr R. A. Lend rum wrote regretting that owing to his removal to Newmarket he had to tender his resignation. —Accepted with regret, the secretary to write to acknowledge Mr Lendrnm.’s past services. Upon the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr M/Evoy, the annual report was adopted. Tho report stated that, in presenting to subscribers the forty-first annual report, the committee could only repeat last year’s statement that once more they had tho pleasure of congratulating them upon the most successful year’s operation since the inception of the library. The subscribers’ list had been greatly enlarged, and ono and-all seemed to show a keen interest in tho institution. The revenue from subscriptions was £23s 9s Gd, as against £2lB 3s for the previous year. In this connection it was interesting to note that in 1904, when the present l<vm. secretary assumed office, the subscription list was only £B3 19s Gd. Notwithstanding that they had spent £2l Is in bookbinding, and also spent over £lO on special publications, the revenue had exceeded the expenditure by 8s Gd. Taking the hooks and piano, etc., at a Tow valuation, tho assets exceeded the expenditure by £844 12s 9d, of which £ls 2s Gd was in cash in the bank and in hand. They Ipul over 15,500 books on the shelves, and practically all of ( /thom were in first-class order. They had _ also increased tho number of magazines, apd bad constantly about 160 in circulation. This satisfactory state of affairs was duo not only to the management, but in a great measure to tho keen interest taken in the library by the majority of employees in tho Hillside Railway Workshops. Sympathetic reference was made to tho death during the past year of Mr D. Dickison, who was ono of the most valued collectors and committeemen, and condolences wore extended to the bereaved family.

There were no other changes in the personnel of the office-bearers, iuu a welcome was extended to a vice-presi-dent (ex officio’), Mr A. P. Godlwr, who was one of the founders of the Petone Library, and held the office of secretary for twenty-seven years. Congratulations were extended to Mr C. W. Haines, who, through well-earned promotion, had become an ex officio’ vice-president. The outstanding feature of last year’s operations was the’'enlargement and renovation of the library ..building. Representations were made to the department that not only was there a shortage of shelf room, but a large proportion of the old shelves was riddled with the borer. The management at once took the matter in band, enlarged the building, replaced the infected shelving, and thoroughly renovated the whole building, the result being that there was now a good substantial, up-to-date library that .should last for many years. Thanks were due to tho Railway Hoard for its prompt acquiescence to the request of the committee. Kor some time the supply of technical railway maga/.ines had been cut off. but it was Imped that three or four of the principal ones would be reinstated. In conclusion, the committee wished to thank the collectors for their valued services, the committeemen who bad helped the librarian on busy evenings, and one and ail who had given cheerfully and voluntary assistance in many ways. Mention was also made of the invaluable work of the librarian (Mr A. H. Ever), who spared neither time nor trouble outside his regular duties to keep the books, etc., tidy, clean, and up to date, and in this be was ably supported by his assistant (Mr S. Austin). The following office-bearers wore, elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr W. JT. Johnston; vice-presi-dents—Messrs C. J, Graham, R. Moore, G. Johnson, A. J. A. Smith, S, Wellington, 11. A. Cowan, J. M. Slowley, G. W. Haines, A. P. Godbcr, M. If. Strawbridgo, W. Sullivan, and T. J. Stokes; bon. secretary, Air D. Harris Hastings; bon. treasurer, Mr W. R. Ronticdge; trustees—Messrs W. J. M'Evoy and J. R. Robertson; committee—Messrs J. J. Kennedy and i). Melville (fitting shop), W. R. Rodgerson and C. Harrop (smiths’ shop), G. ’Willett and 0. R. Brown (boiler shop), T. Scofield and E. Evans (car shop), A. E. Farrant and A. Chambers (paint shop), A. Morrison (foundry), and J. Mr Pnrtcous (office); auditors, Messrs J. R. Robertson and 1 ? . Evans.

On the motion of Sir A. P. Godbcr, seconded by Sir Robertson, it was resolved that the secretary write to the Railway Hom'd asking it to reissue tho technical magazines formerly sent to the library. A sub-committee was let up to make a suitable recognition to the hon. secretary for his twenty-one years’ service. A vote of thanks to the hon. treasurer (Mr W. R. Routledge) for his past services was carried by acclamation.