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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9029, 16 April 1888, Page 4

To every one of humane feelings it will be a source of gratification that a very substantial nucleus of a fund has been found for providing a library for the inmates of the Lunatic Asylum. As announced by us on Saturday, His Worship the Mayor has, with the consent of the subscribers, handed over for the purpose the balance unexpended of the funds contributed for the fete to the man-of-wf,r's-men ; and to a better or more deserving object the money could not b: devoted. The weariness of the lot of these sufferers has been considerably alleviated by the kindness of friends, - who have contributed pictures to relieve the monotony of the walls of their wards, and periodicals and other things to interest and amuse ; but a real library of suitable reading would be indeed a boon that would not only be appreciated, but would doubtless prove of the highest value in promoting convalescence of the mentally diseased. The sum obtained through the kindly efforts of His Worship, namely, £33 odd, will go a certain length ; but the occasion should be taken for making a systematic effort to raise it to a much larger amount, while such an effort being before the public mind, we venture to say that there is hardly a family or household in Auckland which would not contribute at least one volume to add to the collection. We are aware of course that a general request has been made before for contributions of various kinds, books among the number, as A means for enlivening the lot of the inmates of the Asylum ; but we believe that if it took the special shape of contributions ot books, now that a fair sum has been obtained to start the library, there would be a collection of books obtained that would astonish those interested in the conduct of the Asylum. In order to have the enterprise conducted systematically there might, after due notice given, be a house-to-house call made, with a request for books— duty which we believe scores of ladies would readily undertake if they were asked and though the collection obtained would be of the most miscellaneous character possible, it would afford an infinite fund of enjoyment to the inmates. As there is no other form of affliction that appeals so tenderly to human sympathy we are fully confident that a systematic appeal of this nature for gifts in kind would be most generously responded to in Auckland.