OPENING OF THE NEW FREE PABLIC LIBRARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7905, 25 March 1887, Page 3 (Supplement)

OPENING OF THE NEW FREE PABLIC LIBRARY.

As the new Free Public Library and Art Gallery will be formally opened to-morrow afternoon by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. Dovore), it may be interesting to give a historical review of the movement which led up to the institution of a Free Public Library in this city, and to the erection of the handsome pile of building?, in part devoted to that object. As far back aa July, 1873, the oommittee of the Auckland Mechanics' Institute (oE which Mr. P. A, Philips, our present Town Clerk, was then President), agreed to a, draft petition to be sent to the General Assembly, urging upon the General Assembly " the absolute necessity for the establishment of a Free Library, as a means of education, and of preserving the status of the people of this province, numbering nearly one-fourtih the population of the colony." The petition received 2265 signatures in three days, and was forwarded to the Assembly for prosentatioc. by Mr. Gillies, now Justice Gilliee. The committee of the Mechanics' Institute, in a circular which tlfey issued, said, " Should their petition be successful, the committee venture to suggest that the most suitable way of assisting the petitioners would bo by a grant of £10,000 for a building and for the purchase of books as a nucleus. It may be thought better to make this grant i to the Provincial Government by w,iy of

loan to the province. In that case, if the Provincial Government and Council think fib to accept it, thSy could negotiate either through the corporation or direct with the Mechanics' Institute, and with the Aueklans Institute, so as to bring the library, museum,, and lecture hall, if possible, under onn building. Nothing came of this petition, the petitioners being referred to tho Free Public Libraries Act as a means by which the de« Hired object might be obtained. Mr. P. A. Philips, and the members of committee associated with him, then set to work eo move the City Council to adopt the Free Publics Libraries Act, and avail themselves of its provisions. This was ultimately dene in 1880. under the mayoralty of Mr. Thomaa Peacock, when a poll was token on the matter, carried in the affirmative, and a rate of in the £ struck to support the library, which rate has ever since been maintained. It is unnecessary in this article to refer minutely to the causes which led to the chronic state of disablement into which the Mechanics' Institute fell, further than to state that the committee, in their embarrassment, applied to tho City Council for aid, and that the Council was precluded by the Act from giving monetary assistance to an institution which was not entirely under its own control. Overtures were then made, and agreed to, to hand over the Institute for the purpose of forming a free Library. An Act was obtained, giving the necessary power to transfer. The Libraries Act was brought into operation, and in addition to the booka available from the Mechanics' Institute, the excellent library of the Auckland Provincial Council was also handed over. The City Council, having determined to carry ou6 the scheme at once, fitted up the Mechanics' Institute as a temporary arrangement, but looked forward at no distant date to the erection of a more permanent, safe, and suitable building, one whioh would be worthy of the city, and tho useful purpose which the library was intended to subserve : His Worship the* Mayor (Mr. Thoe. Peacock) opened the Free Library by a conversazione, for which he issued 400 invitations, the list embracing most of our leading citizens. Sir Maurice O'Rorke, who has been a warm friend of such institutions, delivered an address on the occasion. In tha course of hie remarks he said : "There will, no doubt, in course of time be noed of the translation of these books from these shelves to • fitting positions in a building of a better and more permanent charaoter. I believe that before many years have elapsed the then Mayor of! Auckland will call us together to celebrate such translation to a prouder edifice, and that the Council of Auckland will present you with such a building where your Town Library will have a home more worthy of its usefulness and of this important city." Sir Maurice O'Rorke'e prediction has at last been realised, but some years of waiting had yet to be endured. The successor to Mr. Peacock in the Mayoral offioe, Mr. Jamea McCosh Clark, took a warm interest in the Free Public Library, and generously donated a year's salary to the purchase of new books; and one of his regrets on leaving office was that he would not be able to have an official share in the arrangements for th%erection of the new Free Public Library and Art Gallery. In due time he was succeeded by Mr. Wm. Waddel as Mayor, under whose mayoral administration the vtor\ was begun and carried out. In the Municipal Loan Act provision was made for the Free Public Library, Art Gallery, Town Hall offices, Public Baths, etc, and in 1885 steps were taken to proceed with the former. The competitive plan of Messrs. Grainger and D'Ebro, of Melbourne, was chosen, and the tender of Messrs. Prico and Malcolm afc £21,851 accepted, but extras and equipments, library fittings, etc., will probably bring the amount to £25,000. On the 4th June, 1885, the foundation stone was laid by Mayor Waddell in the presence of 5000 spectators. Addressee were given by the Mayor, Sir George Grey, Sir Frederick Whitaker (who had taken a warm interest in the Auckland Mechanics' Institute, and was its first president), and Sir Maurice O'Rorke. In addition to the growing and valuable collection of books now in the Free Public Library, and which hae been supplemented by £500 worth during the present week received by the Doric, there is now within ita walle tho magnificent library, art treasures, etc., recently presented by Sir George Grey to the citizens of Auckland, and which will make the Auckland Free Library in some respects the premier library of Auatralaeia. There is also a fine art gallery, and there is little doubt that the City Council will do their best to encourage art in the city and provinco. It has fallen to the lot of tha present Mayor (Mr. A. Devore) to formally open the new buildings, and this he will do <m to-morrow afternoon at half-past two o'clock. Addresses will also be given by Sir George Grey, and ex-Mayors Peacock, J. M. Clark, W. Waddel, and by Sir Maurice O'Rorke. The Choral Society, under Herr Sohmitt, will perform some choice musical selections. His Worship the Mayor has issued :v numerous list of invitations, and the inaugural gathering promisee to be a greatsuccess.