Notes of the Day

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3994, 26 July 1913, Page 4

Notes of the Day

MR w. v. CRAWORD’S VALUABLE PRIVATE LIBRARY.

There has for some time been a movement afoot on the part of members of the Cosmopolitan Club to enable the valuable library which is owned by Mr W. F. Crawford to be placed • at the convenience of residents of this district. As is wellknown, Mr Crawford is an ardent book-lover, and he must have spent many hundreds of pounds in getting together his large and varied: selection of books and magazines. How valuable Ins collection of books really is may bo gathered from the fact that it represents many purchases each year over a period of half a-century. It will be agreed, then, that it would be a great pity if Mr Crawford’s library should for much longer be available only to his friends, although it 'must be confessed that they are indeed very numerous. Of especial interest are many works relating to early New Zealand, which include a number that have long been out cf print. The original proposal, it is understood, was that the Club should acquire the collection, but in the first place there would. Ik* a difficulty with reference to housing the collection at the institution, and what is more it was felt by a large majority of the members that it would he more appreciated if the collection could be plac 'd in the public library. I’’ that worthy object in view the Club lias been in communication with the trustees of the Turanganui Library, and ns an outcome we are pleased to be able to announce that they have decided not only to provide accommodation for the collection in the reference library, but also to give the public full access thereto. It is now the position that on account of this kind offer of accommodation members of the Club are taking up the matter ■ the raising of £2OO, which it is proposed Mr Crawford should consent to

accept for his library,, and this. as. is. well-known, would be- a very small sum indeed for him to take in return for a collection which: includes so many books that would be highly prized by, library owners* We feel that our readers like ourselves will heartily endorse the project and trust that: it may be carried out without delay..