The Athenæum.

Southland Times, Issue 11653, 6 February 1891, Page 2

The Athenæum.

TO THb' EDITOH. Sir, — Poor Mr Thomas Perkins — Life member, &c- is still at it. Not content with having had his facts proved false, his motives shown to be purely personal, and his principles of how others should frame balance sheets sadly at variance with his own practice, he still goes floundering deeper into the swamp. His letter in Tuesday's TlMis is proof of how far nepotism will lead a man. He evidently thinks the late Athenaeum meeting should have taken up " Mr Hallam" as its principal business, but the subscribers were so satisfied that the committee had acted wisely in changing the librarian that despite Mr Perkins and his prompting, the matter was hardly mentioned and the old committee practically re-elected. Next he gives himself away and justifies the committee by admitting that Mr Hallam disobeyed orders, though he omits to say that Mr H. was prompted in his disobedience by his uncle, Mr Perkins, L.M. and Committeeman. Then he makes a statement both false and foolish, riz. , that Mr Hallam refused to call a committee meeting on the ground that his resignation had not been and might not be sent in. Air H. 's ground for refusing to obey orders was that he had been advised to do so, and it was his uncle, Mr Perkins, who gave the advice. Finally, Mr Perkins suggests that the public should be furnished with certain information about the Athenaeum. Doubtless the public are welcome, but they are certainly not entitled to it. None but the subscribers are concerned with Athenieum matters, and if they wish information their duty is to attend meetings or apply to the proper officers for it. Of Mr Hallam no one has reason to speak ill ; but uufortuuately he had a rude manner which offended subscribers and drove them away, and, equally unfortuuately, he had an uncle, Mr Thos. Perkins, L. M., who gave him extremely foolish advice to disobey orders and so lost him his billet.— l am, 4,c. Athbke.