TEMUKA HOLIDAY READING

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22784, 7 January 1944, Page 3

TEMUKA HOLIDAY READING

More Books Issued

Library Attracts Visitors

The number of books issued by the Temuka Library during the holiday period was greater than for a number of years, said the Librarian (Mrs T. Webb) yesterday. The figures for December, 1943, show that 1973 books and 321 magazines were issued, compared with 1846 and 286 magazines the previous year. Both the Friday before the Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve were exceptionally busy days at the library, and there was no break in the issue of books from 2 o’clock in the afternoon until 9 p.m. A double issue of books was allowed for the holiday period and most subscribers took advantage of this concession. The newspaper room is proving most popular with visitors. Any visitors who are not members of the library may borrow books by paying a deposit, which is returned at tne end of their stay. Owing to the fine weather during these holidays, campers have not been availing themselves of this service to the extent they would have done had the weather been wet. < Membership at December 31, 1943, shows an increase of 42 on the number at the end of 1942, said Mrs Webb, and the increased membership had meant a greater demand for books. In spite of the difficulties in obtaining supplies of books from England, the demand for new books had been met by a reserve supply built up by a large purchase of books at booksellers’ annual sales. The issue of books had increased from 22,378 in 1942, to 23,689 in 1943, and magazines show a small increase from 4162 to 4206. The disparity in the increased issue of books and magazines has been caused by the difficulties of securing regular supplies of overseas magazines, and the tact that the war had caused many former popular magazines to go out of print. A feature of the book issue last year, said Mrs Webb, was the increase in the demand for the better class of literature. Requests for non-fiction books had been greater than for many years, particularly from High School pupils. The classics, such as Dickens, Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott and others, had been circulating freely after many years of neglect, and there had been many inquiries for books of a practical trend. Biographies, travel and general literature, particularly dealing with the international situation, had been keenly sought after. There had been very few cases of mutilation of books during the year, said Mrs Webb, and there had been little trouble through books not being returned. Cases of extracts being cut from newspapers in the reading room were common and some inconvenience was caused to readers through this practice. Improvements At Baths The building of additional dressing accommodation for men and boys at the Temuka swimming baths was commenced on Wednesday, and it is anticipated that the shed will be ready for occupation to-day. The shed, which is being erected under the supervision of the Temuka Domain Board with money provided from the Hobson Trust by the Geraldine County Council, extends the full width of the baths at the springboard end. it will provide accommodation for approximately 80 bathers. The baths have been very popular over the hohdays, and the warm weather during the last week has been responsible for an average attendance of 60 to 80 bathers each afternoon.

Personal The Rev. Walter Wisdom, Mrs Wisdom and family have left for Queenstown. During Mr Wisdom's absence services throughout the parishes of Temuka and Winchester will be taken by the Rev. G. H. Moody, of Belfast. Mr and Mrs Moody will be in residence at the vicarage. Mrs E. S. Baxter (Ruapuna) and Mrs Douglas Baxter (Christchurch) are the guests of their sister, .Mrs V. G. Darroch, Waiapi. Temuka. Mrs Gladys Ferguson (Riccarton) who spent the New Year with Mrs R. Weaver, Waiapi, Temuka, has returned to Christchurch. Mr and Mrs G. E. B. Cooper, Davie Street, have returned home after spending the Christmas holidays with Mr and Mrs G. E. B. Cooper, jr., Lauder. Mr L. H. Wightman, North Canterbury, who has been the guest of Mr and Mrs S. B. Wightman, “Park View,” has returned home. Mrs A. S. Ahnfeldt (Christchurch) is spending a holiday with Dr. and Mrs F. A. Scannell. Mrs L. H. Wightman spent the holidays with her parents, Mr and Mrs O. E. Street, “Purstraw,” Greytown, North Island.

Mr R. I. Simpson (Wellington) is the guest of Mr and Mrs J. McLeod, Gammack Street.

Miss K. Johnson, is the guest of Mrs Rex Taylor, King Street. Captain and Mrs G. Milward, who have been the guests of Mrs C. Austin, have returned to Christchurch. Mr and Mrs Towler who have also been the guests of Mrs C. Austin, have returned to Dunedin.