THE LITERARY INSTITUTE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXV, Issue 130, 8 June 1901, Page 4

THE LITERARY INSTITUTE.

MUNICIPALISATION SCHEME.

The proposal to hand over the property of the Literary Institute to the Borough Council was submitted to a meeting of that institution last evening, and re ceive.l their approval.

A resolution was passed requesting the Council to take over tho property, and this was considered later on at the Council's meeting.

Cr Penny moved that the Council take over the Institute, providing that the property can be legally vested in tho c< rporation, and that the matter be referred to the Committee set up at last meeting. Doubtless that Committee, he said, would be able to present a scheme at the next meeting of the Council.

The question, it is said, was as to the manner in which the property could be acquired by the Council. Being vested in the present management for a specific purpose, the case presented some difficulties. An Enabling Bill was suggested.

Cr Smale took it that if there was more land than was required for the maintenance of a public reading room it could be nsedfor municipal purposes. (Councillors suggested a gymnasium, town ha!l, art gallery, etc.). It had occurred to him that with very little cost they could make a good Council room out of the present library. He understood that the Government were anxious to acquire the present municipal oTices for its post and telegraph busiaess. Perhaps the Council could obtain from the Government some consideration which would enable it to deal effectually with the Institute property.

The motion was carried.