CORRESPONDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 20 March 1913, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

THE NELSON.INSTITUTE. • , {To the Editor.) ; . Sir, —The. outcry raised by some*--of your correspondents about the Institute Committee's treatment of the librarian is quit* without foundation. When the Committee -decided to extend the time of opening, it also resolved to give the librarian an- assistant. But the librarian -assured us that she would much prefer to undertake the "extra -work herself, provided she were granted a substantial increase in salary. * She said she could then engage an assistant occasionally when she found such a course desirable. It was in deference, therefore, to her wishes we adopted the present arrangement, increasing her salary at the same time by 30 per cent. The Committee would, "of course, be only too delighted if it could buy more books and papers, extend the hours of opening, pay higher salaries and do lots of other nice things. But all these questions resolve themselves into a matter of £s. d. If only we get plenty of subscribers, the Committee will do its best to complv with all the many and varied demands that have Tecently been urged upon it. Finally, let me say that the Committee will , welcome the fullest and freest criticise of its actions at the annual meeting on the 31st inst., when it is to be hoped that "Old Subscriber." "Lincolnshire Lass" and all other dissatisfied members -vili make a point of being present. Any iepresentations that they have to make will receive a courteous hearing. I am, etc., F. G. GIBBS, President Nelson Institute.H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND. - (To the Editor.) Sir, —The Dominion's periodical outburst of hysteria is developing fast with the advent of the arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand. Christchurch City Council has led the way with a grant" of £250 foi the entertainment of the crew. .This gift from a public body is beyond all comprehension, for the following reasons : (1) "Jack" ashore needs no helping hand in the matter of entertaining himself: (2) lavish hospitality to the average man o'-warsman serves no good purpose, either to himself or the community; (3) if the sailor-man is to be honoured no better form could be maintained than the voting of this valuable sum to the Shipwreck Relief Society, or some othei institution for the. benefit of the man who goes down to the sea in ships. Only "last week, as the" result of a shipwreck in our own-Bay, 15 men lost all their belongings and effects; but were pro'vided." through the agency of the abovementioned Society,, with a new outfit to the extent of £3 per man. ■; Trusting the public bedies of Nelson will display cooler judgment in this matter than at least some of the other cities. I am, etc., X. "SLOW AHEAD." .