TE KUITI PUBLIC LIBRARY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 570, 24 May 1913, Page 5

TE KUITI PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The annual general meeting of the Te Kuiti public library was held laßt evening. Mr J. F. Walsh occupied the chair. The secretary, Miss Downes, presented her annual report as follows: — "I have the honour to report upon

the first years working of the Public Library, ending April 30th, 1913, as follows: —There has been an average of thirty subscribers to the lending library during the whole year, and the amount of subscriptions received during that period was £22 0s 6d. It will be seen that the Treasurer's balance-sheet which*. is submitted herewith, that we have expended a sum of £lB 2s 2d upon the purchase of new books. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance upon the year's working of approximately £l7, but this could not have been •attained had it not been for the annual subside of £SO received from the Borough Council towards the cost and upkeep of the library generally. I anticipate a considerable increase in the number of subscribers during the ensuing year, and also trust to receive a subsidy from the Government

towards our funds, which was inad

vertently omitted to be claimed last year. In conjunction with the treasurer, therefore consider, that the library can be carried on very satisfactorily during the ensuing twelve months with the receipt of a smaller grant from the Borough Council than that received last year, say about £3O, that is, of course, upon the understanding that the council continue, as at present, to bear the expense of cleaning and lighting the public reading room, and the lending library. The reading room, which is open to the public on week days from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., is much frequented, and greatly appreciated. The incoming committee will have to make some arrangement for the turning out of the lights and locking up of the building on the three evenings in the week which lam not in attendance. This will mean an expenditure of from 3s to 4s a week. I have received intimation from the town clerk that the Borough Council has appointed <Jrs Mostyn Jones, H. Matthew and J. F. Walsh to represent the council on the Library Committee, with a proviso that one of these gentlemen be ap pointed chairman of the committee. The present Citizens' Committee consists of Mrs F. Edward Lamb, Messrs C. Matthew and A. S. Gresham, who offer themselves for re-election. —M. F. DOWNES, Librarian and Secretary."

Mr F. E. Lamb, treasurer, presented the balance-sheet.

The adoption of the report and bal-ance-sheet was carried unanimously. The following committee was appointed for the ensuing twelve months: —Crs Walsh, Mostyn Jones, and H. Matthew, and Mrs Lamb, Messrs A. S. Gresham and N. C. Matthew.

Several suggestions and recommendations were made by the general meeting for the consideration of the incoming committee.

The good work done during the past year by Miss Downes, librarian, and Mr F. E. Lamb, treasurer, was eulogised by several speakers. COMMITTEE MEETING.

After the general meeting the committee held its meeting, when Mr Walsh was elected chairman for the ensuing term of office. In answer to requests from the general meeting, it was resolved that a regular supply of the latest books be obtained monthly.

It was decided to place the Auckland Herald in the reading room. The secretary was instructed to write to the Government printer and request hiru to forward any publications available for library purposes.

Resolved that the secretary and treasurer be members of the committee ex officio.