FAIRLIE BOOKS ON WORLD AFFAIRS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21560, 24 January 1940, Page 4

FAIRLIE BOOKS ON WORLD AFFAIRS

Increased Demand At

Library

Reference Works Assist Children

An increasing demand for books dealing with European affairs has been noticeable at the Fairlie Library, where every effort is being made to keep this type of reading up to date. The better known books, such as “Insanity Fair” and “Disgrace Abounding” by Douglas Reed, had had a good run, the Librarian. Mrs M. L. West, said yesterday, and it was evident that residents of the county were anxious to be fully informed on the European situation.

Shortly before the war < broke out books dealing with the East were in demand, but in recent weeks these were not in such favour. Non-fiction books were being well read and it was evident that a good deal of money could be spent on this type of book. There were many other sections of readers to be considered, and the resources of the library were limited. “Tales of the Pioneer Women,” “The Cruise of the Raider Wolf,” “Must Australia Fight,” and the “Passing of the Aborigines” were instanced by Mrs West as non-fiction works which were proving popular in the library. Much of the fiction in demand is of a lighter type, though some of the recent long novels of a better class are also extensively read.

The debating societies in the district had been responsible for increased reading of books on agricultural, scientific and economic subjects. During the depression economics had been a subject which was particularly well read. The demand had dropped off slightly in recent years, but there was stiff a good public demand for good books in that class.

The Fairlip Library is doing much to help children. During the school terms classes visit the library rnd the pupils are encouraged to use the books for projects and other studies. Travel books and books dealing with geographic subjects appear to be popular with the children. Pupils are taught to use encyclopaedias and other works of reference.

The books in the library are in good order, although many of them are due for replacement. One of the most interesting sections is that on forestry. Many of the books in this section are not procurable in New Zealand, and the works are often used by officers of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry Departments. There is also an excellent selection of standard literary works, but the demand for these is not great. The New Zealand section has been kept up to date and is widely read. Travel, and to a lesser extent biography, are sections on which there is a good demand. The lending of magazines has proved a success and the demand for these is increasing.

Although the library is the finest building in the town and citizens point to it with pride, there are many who have never been inside and inspected the books. An endeavour is being made to interest citizens in the books and to encourage them to use it more frequently. The question of a freclibrary has been discussed from time to time, and the Mackenzie County Council has interested itself in the matter. At the August meeting, when a letter was received from the Citizens’ Association on the subject, a motion was passed promising to give full consideration to the matter when this year’s estimates are being drawn up. AMATEUR ATHLETICS HANDICAPS FOR TO-MORROW Handicaps for to-morrow night’s meeting of the Fairlie Amateur Athletic Club are as follow: Men’s Events Shot Putt—C. Goulter, R. Crampton scr; E. Cameron Ift 9in; B. O'Neill, H. Gibson, D. O’Connor, A. Quill 2ft 6in; M. O'Connor 3ft; G. Crampton, W. McConnell 3ft 6in; C. Surridge. F. Surridge. N. Devon sft; A. Cameron oft 6in; R. Ellis, A. Mackie 6ft. Pole Vault—C. Goulter scr; E. Cameron 6in; C. Surridge, A. Cameron 9in; G, Crampton Ift; T. Crichton Ift 9in; N. Devon, F. Surridge, B. O’Neill, M. O’Connor, H. Gibson, D O’Connor 2ft; W. McConnell 2ft 6in; R. Ellis, A. Mackie 3ft. 220 Yards —C. Goulter, A. Quill scr; D. O’Connor, H. Gibson 4yds; M. O’Connor, B. O’Neiil 6yds; G. Crampton, F. Surridge, T. Crichton 10yds; C. Surridge, E. Cameron, W. McConnell 15yds; A. Cameron 18yds; A. Mackie, R. Ellis 20yds. One Mile—R. Ellis, T. Crichton, N. Devon scr; G. Crampton 40yds; M. O’Connor, B. O’Neill 50yds; D. O’Connor, H. Gibson 75yds; W. McConnell, F. Surridge 100yds; A. Mackie, C. Surridge, A. Cameron 120yds; K. Morton 200yds. Women’s Events 75 Yards—W. McConnell scr, D. Crampton 11yds; Y. Anniss 2yds; N. Rapley, N. Wareing 21yds; J. Black 31yds; A. Page 4yds; D. Cameron syds; M. Cowan 7yds; T. O’Connor 81yds; J. O’Connor 9yds. High Jump—D. Crampton, Y. Anniss, N. Rapley scr; M. Cowan lin; N. McConnell, A, Page 2in; J. Black, D. Cameron 3in; N. Wareing sin; J. O’Connor, T. O’Connor 6in. Long Jump—W. McConnell, A. Page. N. Rapley scr; N. Wareing, Y. Anniss 6in; D. Crampton, D. Cameron Ift; M. Cowan Ift 3in; J. Black Ift 6in; T. O’Connor, J. O’Connor 3ft 6in. RED CROSS MEETS A special effort to raise funds for the internal runnjng of the Timaru Red Cross Centre is to be made in Fairlie. This was agreed upon at a meeting of the Fairlie Sub-Centre yesterday. Mrs G. R. Berney, who presided, reported on the meeting of the Timaru Centre at which subbranches were asked to raise money for internal running expenses. It was decided to hold a street appeal and shop on February 9. Gifts of produce, sweets and other saleable goods are to be sought from members and the public-