Gisborne Public Library.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6729, 20 July 1893, Page 2

Gisborne Public Library.

The annual meeting of subscribers to the above institution was held in tho Public Library last evening.rhere being a fair attendance. Mr D. Johnston, the vicePresident, was voted to the chair.. Tho minutes of the previous annual meeting wero read and confirmed. Mr 0. C. Lucas, hon. secretary, read the following report, which was adopted on the motion of Mr J. Rosie : — " Your committee have much pleasure in submitting to you this evening the annual report of the progress of the Gisborne Public Library and Reading-room for the past year, and in doing so they take the opportunity of cordially thanking all those who have by gifts of books, periodicals, and otherwise so materially assisted the institution. The number of subscribers shows a slight increase over that of last year, being IGO, as against 156. and your committee deem this satisfactory, in so far as it indicates that public interest in the institution is not declining. Upwards of 80 new books have been purchased during the year, and with reference to this it may be here remarked that instead of adding to the liabilities by thepurchaseof a larger number of books, the committee have thought it better to expend their available funds in reducing the outstanding liabilities of the institution, which now stand at about £40 only, nearly £30 of which is for books and papers. Tho total number of books in the library is 2330, and tho number of periodicals is 29 ; the reading room being open free every week day afternoon, the latter are available to allcomers. No entertainments have been given in aid of the institution during the year, but your committee venture to express the hope that they may be more fortunate in this respect during the ensuing year so that more new books may be purchased, and the institution generally rendered more efficient for the benefit of the public. No change is suggested for the ensuing year in the hours during which the reading room and library are open, or in the rates of subscription. The latter have been purposely fixed at a very moderate amount in order that it may be in the power of all to contribute something, however small, towards the expenses of keeping the institution open. The hon. treasurer will in his report state to you more explicitly the financial position, frem which you will gather with feelings of satisfaction that in about 3 years' time the debt on the building will be paid off, and the rents of the offices will then be available for the purposes of the library, and tho purchase of more books and periodicals. In conclusion, your committee heartily thank all those who either by subscriptions or donations have so materially assisted the reading room and library duriug the past year. They trust the ensuing year may be equally if not more successful." Mr Featon, hon. treasurer, then submitted the balance-sheet for the past year, which showed the receipts to have been LlO5 5s 3d, and the expenditure LIOO 15a 6d, thus leaving a credit balance of L 4 9s 9d. The balance of assets over liabilities was set down at L 740. Of the L7OO original loan borrowed in 1883, L2OO was paid off that amount in 1888, and according to the statement laid before the meeting last evening, there is a further sum of L 225 to credit of the sinking fund account, which reduces the present loan liability to L 225. Mr Finn proposed that the statement as road be adopted. - Seconded by Mr Townley and carried. For the Presidentship, Mr Finn had much pleasure in proposing Mr D. Johnston, who had been moat indefatigable in his efforts on behalf of the institution. Mr Johnston declined the honor, and would prefer that Archdeacon Williams should be re-elected for the ensuing year. Archdeacon Williams was duly elected President, Mr D. Johnston being elected vice-President. The following gentlemen were then elected a Committee : - Messrs Featon, Townley, Finn, Pettie, Lucas, Symos, and Barton. Messrs W. O'Meara and Jones were re-elected auditors. Mr Lucas, before the meeting broke up, remarked that the library had held its own during the past twelve months ; also that the liability had been substantially reduced. The plan of making the reading, room free had been so far successful, and it was not thought advisable to alter that rule. It spoke well for the people that they had contributed so largely to the library, and he thought that in three or four years time the institution would be free from debt, and then the rents accruing from the ofh'ces rented would go towards making the library more successful by giving additional accommodation and providing a larger supply of literature. Mr F. T. Morgan proposed and Mr Pettie seconded that the new Committee should take into consideration the raising of a L3OO loan for tho purpose of paying oft' existing debr, with a view of reducing the interest and providing a fund for new books. — The resolution was carried. A vote of thanks to the chair brought the proceedings to an end.