PROPOSED LIBRARY.

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1443, 20 July 1933, Page 4

PROPOSED LIBRARY.

CHAMBER’S DISCUSSION.

Information To Be Sought. A proposal to establish a library in Matamata was put forward by the president, Mr. H. E. Schofield, at the monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Mr. Schofield said that many people had approached him of recent months suggesting that a library would fill a much-needed want, and he thought perhaps the chamber might set the ball rolling. There was no intention of competing with existing commercial libraries, for apart from the light reading provided by these institutions, there was scope for better class books and reference works. Only a day or two ago a legal friend, who had to put several hours’ wait in in Matamata, had called and asked him where he could go “in this hole.” (Laughter.) Mr. L. Flower said that many smaller towns than Matamata had libraries. Warkworth had had one for, he thought, over 70 years. Matamata had a library a few years ago, but it had been closed up. Mr. F. S. R. Crawford suggested the 'library might be housed in the Town Hall.

Mr. A. E. Wrigley: In time the Rest Room might be added to for

the purpose,

,Mr. Flower remarked an opportunity had been lost when the Town Hall proposal had been turned down by the board.

Mr. Griffiths suggested the experience of other towns be obtained, and mentioned Raglan as an instance.

Mr. Wrigley: I take it the chamber will simply secure what information it can and then call a public meeting to see if the public wish to take the matter up, in the same manner as it had done with the children’s playground.

The chairman agreed that would be the procedure.

Mr. Griffiths remarked there were a couple of libraries run by one of the lodges and the Women’s Institute which might possibly be amalgamated.

Mr. A. N. Crawford said that the Railway Department in Auckland had started a library with a few gift books only a few years ago, and now had over 5000 books.

On the motion of Mr. Schofield, it was decided to gather as much information as possible on the subject and to defer further action until this was obtained.