MARTINBOROUGH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1182, 26 October 1894, Page 13

MARTINBOROUGH.

The Martinborough Public Library was formally opened on Thursday afternoon ; Mr John Martin presided, and in a happy speech referred to the efforts of the Martinborough people, who had succeeded ! without extraneous aid in erecting a handj some and commodious library for the I benefit of the district. He afterwards declared the library open. There was a large attendance of the general public, and Mesdames Martin and Quick entertained the company at afternoon tea. Among those present were Mesdames J., W. J. and A. Martin, P. O’Connor, Bowden, J. Pain, GalLe and Johnston, the Misses Wratten, and Messrs Martin, O’Connor, . Wratten, Considine, Gallie, Boyd, IT. S. Izard and Roydhouse. Mr and Mrs Johnston, of the Club Hotel, greatly assisted the proceedings. The library, which is centrally situated, is very comfortable, .being modelled after the style of a club-house, and is already completely furnished and well-stocked with books and periodicals. The building reflects credit on the architect (Mr Natusch), and the history of the library, as well as Thursday’s proceedings, should be remembered to the credit of the local committee. In the evening a concert (followed by a dance), in aid of the funds, was held in the local hall, and proved a great success. The building was crowded with settlers, and applauso was frequent and hearty. Mr J. Martin again presided. A contingent of Greytown amateurs, consisting of Messrs Black, Rouse and Gant, and Miss O’Loughlin contributed a number of musicalitenis Messrs Martin (3) sang an enjoyable trio’ and Mr Speakman was happy in his comic song. In an encore verse (the work of Mr gallie) the library difficulties 'were smartly reviewed. Mr Qeeley, of Feathorston, for his instrumental items, and Miss Orr, of Martinborough, were heartily encored. Mr Gallie recited a selection from

“Hiawatha,” and Mr A. S. Paterson, of Wellington, gave two sketches, for which he had to pay the usual penalty. The dance was well attended, and was kept up till the early hours.