WAIMATE PUBLIC LIBRAERY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3259, 7 March 1885, Page 3

WAIMATE PUBLIC LIBRAERY.

A meetiug of ratepayers was held m the Library Hall, Waimate, on Wednesday evening last. About fifty ratepayers were present, His Worship the Mayor occupying the chair. The Chairman, m opening the meeting, said it had been called m compliance with a resolution of the Borough Council, to consider an offer by the Library Committee to transfer the management of the assets and liabilities of the Public Library to the Council. This offer had lately been considered by the Council, and a Committee of three were appointed to confer with the Library Committee The report of the Committee was favorable to the acceptance of the offer. The Council, considering it of importance to every ratepayer, resolved to submit the proposal to a meeting of _ ratepayers before taking any further steps m the matter. Personally he (the Mayor) was favorable to the acceptance of the offer. The assets of the Library had been estimated by the Council's Committee to be about £530 ; the liabilities — consisting of £196 still due to the Education Board and local debts — amounted to about £230 ; this estimate showing a balance of nearly £350 to the good. A discussion then ensued as to the advisability of the Council taking over the Institute. The Hon. Secretary of the Library, m reply to a question, said the Managing Committee of the Institute during the last eighteen months found a great difficulty m working the Institute. Although supported by a yearly grant of £30 from the Council and a portion of the Government grant to libraries — about £22 thig year, the falling off m subscriptions, and the increased expense of management since the Library was moved to its new quarters m Queen street, the Committee find they cannot mako their income and outlay balance m a satisfactory way. A statement of the yearly revenue and current yearly expenses showed that, though the utmost economy was ÜBed, there must be a considerable balance to deficit. The papers and periodicals supplied to the free readingroom cost £24 annually. The Committee had paid to the Education Board half the purchase money ; to meet the remaining half, a great difficulty had been experienced m raising a loan, and the members of the Committee did not wish to render themselves responsible. The Committee acknowledged being unable to work the Institute under the present circumstances, and fearing the institute would fall through, considered the beßt thing to do was to make this offer to the Council. Mr H. Middletbh did not approve of the taking OTer of the Library by the Council. If the Committee appointed for the purpose could not work it without a serious pecuniary loss, he believed the Council could not do ao either ; let the ratepayers mind what they were about or a costly white ele* phant may be thrown on their hands. He would ask how the money was to be raised by the Council for the purpose m question ? Mr Haig said, as one of the Council's Committee, he had carefully looked into the matter, and found that instead of incurring liability the Counoil would obtain a valuable property, and be enabled to help on . an institution of a highly beneficial character. He had not come prepared to say. how the matter could be financed, but had. looked' closely into the financial statement submitted and found it correct. He decidedly recommended the Council to accept the offer. Tho noise caused by the Salvation Army m their barracks under the same roof could easily' be obviated by building a brick wall between. Mr Black asked if the Council wished to buy property as he had some to sell ; he did not consider it advisable to accept the offer. At the request of Mr Hayes, the sections of the Municipal Corporations Act bearing on the management of libraries by local bodies were read. The library at Ashburton managed by the Borough Council was mentioned as a case m point. Mr Goldsmith said the Committee had stuck to their post as long as they could, and would like to see the Council take over the management. Mr D. Mitchell said with energetic management there was no doubt the Institute could be worked to advantage. Mr Middleton feared it could not be worked unless with a serious low, as tho times were very bad. Ho counselled the ratepayers to be careful. If the books were sold now they would .not bring anything like their estimated value (£150). • Mr NfiiJßon said the booke could not b» got together for tmc« the mm o&oje^.

Mr Opie wished to have the meeting tested as to whether the meeting was favorable to the transfer. . Mr Sinclair contended the offer wag a genuine one, and it would be a perfectly safe and profitable speculation to accept the' offer. Any person could see the building and the site. It was one of the best sites m the town 5 the Library Committee did not make a bargain. The Council said they would take over this Institute and manage it for the public of the town. Let the ratepayers look again at the money owing, and at the ossetß, tho latter comprising a very valuable piece of ground. Besides this asset there was a Government reserve vested m the Managing Committee for library purposes, which was not mentioned m the assets. He decidedly was of opinion that the Council should_ accept tho offer, especially as the Council Chambers were not the property of the Borough Council. Mr Opie again asked for a test of the feeling of the meeting on the matter. Mr Hayes and Mr E. Hunt would be m favor of deferring the question for further consideration. Mr Hayes thought it was a question on which every ratepayer should have an opportunity of expressing an opinion. Because he wished this line to be followed, it was not to be considered he was against the offer. Mr Steward also thought the ratepayers should well consider tho matter. He thought the offer a bond fide ono and advantageous to the Council. Let the ratepayers put their estimate on the assets and compare it with the liabilities. There was no doubt tbo property could be used as an Institute as at present, while there was sufficient room for the transaction of the Council's business at the same time. It would be a great advantage to the Council to have the property. If a sum to pay off the debt be raised by a loan, no doubt a poll should bo taken. Mr Opie's motion—" That the meotiug recommend the acceptance by the Council of the offer of the Library Committee," was met by Mr Hayes' amendment — "That the question be deferred for further consideration by the ratepayers." The amendment was lost and tho original motion carried. Mr Hayes then moved — " That a poll of the ratepayers be taken to ascertain their 3 views on the question of the acceptance ~ of the offer of the Library Committee, 1 and that the poll be taken U9 soon as J possible, m conformity with the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act." On being seconded, the resolution was carried by a large majority. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.