NELSON INSTITUTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 June 1939, Page 9

NELSON INSTITUTE

Ho 1 tie Liliti.rl Sir,—ln your issue of 26th June, under the heading, “Estimate of Proposed Expenditure,” as to item 17, “Nelson Institute £400.” Will the City Council kindly enlighten the ratepayers as to the services or value received for this £4OO a year? As our rates seem to be rapidly increasing yearly, surely ratepayers are entitled to adequate services in proportion to such heavier taxation. —I am, etc., H. G. BERRYMAN, Nelson, 26th June. Interviewed to-day the Mayor (Mr G. L Page) staled that a free newspaper room was open at the library from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day, and a free book reading room and reference library. which was availed of by a large number of citizens, including many elderly people, was open during library hours. The museum was maintained and a Children’s Library, for which there was a very low subscription, was encouraged. He was of the opinion tha* the ratepayers were getting an excellent service for the amount of the subsidy. The ratepayers’ interests were safeguarded as the council had four councillors on the Library Committee as its representatives.