RICCARTON LIBRARY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1588, 17 March 1919, Page 6

RICCARTON LIBRARY.

LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE

The foundation stone of the Upper Rieearton Memorial Library was laid on Saturday afternoon l>y Lady Bowen. This library is the successor of one erected years ago in Hanson's Koad. Among those present were: Mr G. Witty, M.P., Dr H. T. J. Thacker. M.P., and 'Mrs Thacker Mr S. A. Staples (chairman of the Waimairi County Council), and Messrs J. E. Hanson and T. 0. Newnham (members of the Board of Trustees). The chairman, Mr T. O. Newnham, in stating that the building was being erected to perpetuate the memory of the boys killed at the front, said that the first site had been donated by the late Sir C. C. Bowen. The present position was most central. The Waimairi County Council had donated £IOO towards the eost of erection, and they had already got a little over £4OO. The amount they were aiming at was £7OO. In declaring the stone laid, Lady Bowen expressed her pleasure at being at the function. She was one of the oldest, if nbt the oldest, inhabitant of Rieearton, and had made it her home for the last 57 years. For many years past the old library had been looking very neglected, and she hail been wondering if the present generation cared much for reading. Things, however, had changed during the last four years. She made a plea that only the best books would be placed in the library—books of travel and about noble men. She wished the institution great success for the future. The member for the district, Mr G. Witty, said that in moving the library site to a more central position \hey were doing so to attract the young people. The Library Committee had decided that the fallen boys' names should be put on a marble slab in the porch. Dr Thacker said that the people of Rieearton were right in putting up an institution of education as a memorial to the soldiers. He would like to see a reference sectiou added to the library and, if, possible, a social room and a tepid sMimming bath. They should cater for the young people. On behalf of Mrs Thacker and himself he promised the first book to the library—the greatest book in the world—a memorial Bible.

Mr S. A. Staples paid a tribute to Mr Hanson for agreeing to exchange that Rite for the old. The Revs T. York and W. T. Hooper and Mr J. E. Hanson also wished the library success.