The Reading Room.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7847, 26 May 1904, Page 5

The Reading Room.

(To the Editor)

Sir,—Be good enough to give me space for a few suggestions in regard to the fittings on the reading room table, which I'hope will not be considered as made in any captious spirit. The change from the flat high table to a sloping holder which faces the eye's of the sitting ocoupants is, 1 think, a commendable departure, but I regret to say has not been carried out in a manner to do justice to the originator's ideas. Two or three objections prei sent themselves to my observation^ In the first place the frame is placed too high; it might come down at least four inches without inconvenience ito the tallest man. Again, economy of is everything in a room not over capacious for the large population already in this place. I would suggest that in place of the present broald table taking up, as it does, so much unnecessary room, a skeleton frame V> support what I may call the reading desk but only sufficiently wide, to avoid inconvenience to those who sit " vis-a-vis " could be made to effect a considerable gain in space all along the line. The ta'FSlc at present is only useful as a support to the superstructure ami if sold would more than pay idt all improvements. This gain in spaco would admit of the back, side of the reading desk being shifted so as to be under the direct rays of the lani;ps. The present frame presents a glaringly unsightly appearance, and in its place I would suggest Uoing away with'the flat top and running the two sides up to a peak. This would admit of. one space low' down for reading, and the vuplrfcr half for. holding literature not then in use, t',ho titles of wliichi could 'be seen at a glance in passing. A much .neater structure could be made by having the battens half the present width and only a width" apart. Hoping that I am not venturing, too much on your space.—l am, etc READER.