FREE LIBRARY AND READINGROOM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 834, 14 July 1879, Page 2

FREE LIBRARY AND READINGROOM.

At last there have been found people; who will take an interest m the matters of local library and reading-room/ which, as hitherto managed, has been a shame and a disgrace to all concerned, and a grave reflection on the community which has so long tolerated such a state • -of 'ithing^t ..There^ was a convention on Saturday, which waa well attended by a ■number of-our inoßtrespeoted townsmen.? At the meeting His Worship the Mayor was voted into the chair but he declined, and moved Mr. Wopn to his place. A long discussion ensued, partaking more of a conversational form, as to how the library was first brought into existence ; and under what spaoial or ' general support. It came out that the institution was first started by a few.. Giaborne residents) subscribing an annual payment. A few books had been given by the Auokland Provincial ;Opunojl,\ but the library had never „ received ' any : mbney subsidy.. The librarian, it was stated, had not attended to his duties for several weeks, and had refjisejlto. give possession of the books, or afford any information as 'to how. matters^ stood. ; . „' „ . '... , . ; ...... ; : ,;;„■>-:, Captain Porter moved,-r-that a comT mittee, pro tern, be appointed to take charge and conduct of the affairs of the Library ; and further, to adopt the necessary measures to bring the " Public Libraries Act, 1869," m force m accordance with the ptoviaiona of Section 3 of the Act. The committee to consist of Messrs. Ross, Woon, Graham, Maberly, and the Rev. Mr. McAra. This resolution was carried. The mover mentioned that .under the Public Libraries Act, and taking m round figures the present Borough valuation at £22,000, a 'sum of Close- Upon £100 would be obtained, which would then, under the " Subsidies Act, . 1877," entitle the committee to £100 from the Government. This two' amounts,- with an annual subscription of five shillings, which -allowed of- books being taken out of the library, together with such donations as were likely to come m, would bring m an annual 1 income' reaohing close upon £300. The powers under the Public Libraries Act is delegated to the Borough Council. But the Council can= appoint a committee outside of their own body. - Such committee to .appoint and dismiss officers, raise a loan, and generally to enforce the provisions of the Act. ; ._ The ball now once Set rolling must not be allowed to stop until the muchdesired object of a Public Library and Reading-room is accomplished. A better or more efficient committee could . not have been elected. -