PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7377, 1 February 1902, Page 2

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The annual meeting of members of the Hawera Public Library was held on Friday evening. There waß a moderate attendance ; Mr W. G. White (president) in the chair.

ANNUAL MEETINGS.

The Chairman said the meeting had been called at an earlier period than formerly, for two reasons, one being that it was thought advisable to have the meetings in the summer, and the other because the accounts for the Government had to be made up to 31st March. The change would obviate the compilation of two sets of accounts.

Mr Parkinson moved, That the action of the committee be endorsed. The reasons for the change had been lucidly put by the Chairman. Mr Butts seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Chairman gave notice to move tbat clause six of the constitution be altered to provide tbat the annual meetings be held in January.

BALANCE-SHEET.

The Chairman said the balance-sheet covered a period of three months included in the last annual statement.

The Treasurer (Mr Butts) read the balance-street, which ehowed : — Receipts : Subscriptions £157, fines 8s Id, donations £11 0s 7d, rents £4 15s 4.1. Government subsidy £19 19a 7d, borough subsidy £25, sales etc., £4 3s, balance 81st December, 1900, £11 18s 6d ; total, £234 ss. Expenditure : Books £44 16s 4d, magazines £22 14s 2d, papers £8 8s 7d, printing and advertising £18 2s 3d, stationery, stamps. etc. £4 0a 9d, insurance £3 8s 9d, fuel, light and cleaning £14 0s Bd, furniture and repairs £8 9s 9d, salary, etc. £64 6a sd, telephone £5, sundries 15s 7d ; total, JCI9B 18s 3d ; balance at 31st December, 1901, £40 6s 9d. ANNUAL 11BPORT.

The Honorary Seoretary (Mr J. H. Stevons) read tho annual report, as follows : —

Since la«t annunl mooting increasod public support and extended hours of nitoruiauou have mcußsitated the employment of (tn assistant librarian.

Subscribers number 157, an increase of 19. Mr Walter Syme joined as a life member during the year. Books circulated, 16,035, an increase of 4437. Books purchased 267, namely, fiction 207, biography 8, history and travel 81, science 18, poetry 0. Attention is being given to strengthening the more serious section of the libruy- Thirtynine newspapers and 19 magaz-aes are supplied.

The Council have agreed to connect the building with the water and drainage systems, and the Committee have in view the apparent necessity of further improvements to the premises in the immediate future.

The supply of catalogues and supplements has rapidly become exhausted. They should now be re-arranged and re-issued.

The museum, under the skilful direc

tion oiits hon. curator, Mr Hector Ross, has grown into an interesting collection. A large show case has been added to this section. The Visitors' Book discloses a gratifying appreciation from other parts of the colony. In addition to casual visitors, 143 persons were each introduced to the privileges of membership for a month free of charge. Miss M. F. Newlana", librarian, has, by her untiring attention and knowledge of literature, earned the gratitude of members and visitors alike. On the eve of his departure for England, Mr Babbage has tendered his resignation as a member of Committee. In addition to its literary benefits, the Library now forms a thoroughly popular resort for the people of the" town and country districts, and particularly for the ladies, to which may be attributed much of the liberal support accorded to it. On behalf of the people and the j institution, tho Committee offer their I thanks to the proprietors of the 26 daily papers, who forward free copies. Statistics for years 1900 and 1901 :— 1900. 1901. Total number of subscribers 138 157 Yearly .. .. 55 70 Half-yearly .. .. 31 27 Quarterly .. .. 52 60 [ No. of persons introduced by privilege ticket .. 128 143 No. of vols. in the library 1749 1900 ; „ „ „ circulated .. 11,598 16.035 „ „ „ purchased . . 274 267 Average number taken out . by each subscriber . . 84 98 Greatest number taken out by eaoh subscriber . . 416 423 No. of magazines supplied . . 19 19 „ „ papers „ .. 36 39 i £. s. d. £. s. d. Amount received for j subscription ..129 3 6 157 0 0 ! Expended on litera- ! ture .. .. 68 6 1 75 14 1 Expended on furni- | ture .. .. 41 0 2 89 9 j Expended on salary ■ and wages .. 54 1 0 64 6 5 ■ Mr Sargent proposed the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Seconded by Dr. Westenra. Mr Stevens mentioned a difficulty that occurred during the year, and which was likely to recur ,* that was the difficulty in suiting people in regard to taking out of new books. The librarian did her best, and any remedy that could be suggested the Committee would be pleased to consider. The concession to visitors had proved very popular. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

OFFICERS.

Mr A. Webster proposed, and Mr Davidson seconded, That Mr W. G. White be re-elected president. Mr White was elected without opposition, and in returning thanks said that since last election the Committee had worked well, and endeavoured to push ahead the interest of the institution. Mr Davidson moved, and Mr J. W. Hirst seconded, That Mr Dive be reelected vice-president. — Carried. Dr. Westenra moved, That Mr Stevens be secretary. All knew that a large measure of the sucoess of the Library had been due to Mr Stevens' efforts. Mr Major seconded, and spoke highly of Mr Stevens' services. Mr Brett endorsed the remarks of other speakers. As Town Clerk, he had heard much from outside in favor of the Library, and he attributed much of the Library's success to Mr Stevens. Tne Chairman also spoke eulogistically of Mr Stevens. Mr Stevens said one half of the credit was due to Mr Butts, and he proposed that that gentleman be re-elected treasurer. Seconded by Mr Webster, and carried unanimously. The following committee was appointed:—Dr. Western's and Messrs A. Webster, F. V. Lysaght, Stephenson, and J. A. Turton. Messrs Pitcher and J. W. Hirst were elected auditors. A vote of thanks to the chair con* eluded the meeting.