NELSON INSTITUTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 1 July 1939, Page 9

NELSON INSTITUTE

'lo Ihe Editor 1 Sir,—ln regard to the footnote to my letter in “The Mail” this evening it is hardly likely that the majority of the ratepayers will endorse the Mayor’s opinion that “the ratepayers of Nelson are getting excellent service” for their £4OO a year, rated lor Nelson Institute; in view of the very popular and successful free libraries in Motueka and elsewhere, especially those who visit the public reading room and find that some of the big newspapers that are delivered through the city on the div of publication are not available at tha Institute till two days later. And if we are getting such “excellent service” for £4OO a year it seems very remarkable that the Institute library has lost so many of its subscribers and its doors are closed on empty space whilst more up-to-date Book Club libraries are crowded with happy book lovers every day. And will the Mayor kindly explain what is implied by “Pro Bono Publico” on the foundation stone of Nelson Institute and give those four representative councillors a gentle hint to discard obsolete methods and move forward, so that Nelson may enjoy the full benefits of a free library like our more fortunate neighbours?—l am, etc., H. G. BERRYMAN. 1 Nelson, 30th June.