The Star. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1873.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1641, 29 May 1873, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1873.

_oThe agitation for a Eree Public Library m Christchurch, has, we are glad to observe, been recommenced, and in such a manner that some hopes may be entertained of Buccess. A subscription list is published in the columns of our morning contemporaries, from which it appears that £598 have been promised towards the purchase of books for such an institution. Mr George Gould heads the list with a munificent donation of £100, and the remaining sums range from £30 down to £1. Very few are however below £10, as will be gathered from the fact that there are only thirty subscribers to make up the total amount of £598, thus giving an average of within the merest trifle of £20 each. This speaks well for public feeling in the matter, and is strongly suggestive of what result would be likely to attend upon a systematic eanvasß for subscriptions. The names on the present list represent but a small portion of those who will be ready and willing to subscribe, and we do not think that very great efforts will.be required to increase the amount now promised three or even four fold. But while private contributions are looked to for praviding some part of the funds required to establish the library, assistance from the provincial chest, must of necessity be obtained. No such institution as this ia likely to be placed upon a sound basis with private subscriptions alone, and though the free library scheme was postponed last session, there are cogent reasons why the present sitting of tbe Council should not be allowed to terminate before definite measures have been adopted to ensure its establishment. Public feeling is evidently very strong in favour of a free library, and if tbe Council do but give good encouragement by voting a round sum for the erection of the building and the purchase of books, this feeling will liad its expression in subscriptions for increasing the number of the latter, while, if again disappointed, it is not improbable that the public ardour may cool down from an impression that it is useless toi attempt to move the legislature in the direction desired. It must also be remembered that the provincial account is not likely to be in a more flourishing condition than at present, added to which, the acquisition of a suitable Bite for the building must become more difficult every year, and the alienation of waste lands as an endowment will not become easier with the progress of time. That a free library is most desirable no oue can doubt, and as tbe province is ill the position to ufPjrd it, there is every reason why it should be established at once, and nothing sound upon which to base an argument for delay. Great attention is now being given to the subject of national education; extensive measures are being taken to make it as complete as possible, and from all these arise increased necessity for such an institution as the one now projected. To schoolmasters, an extensive library of reference is one of the great necessaries for improving their knowledge, and through that the proficiency of their pupils ; while to the pupils themselves, the advantage to be derived from having access to such a collection ' of books as the library ought to contain — many of wbich might not otherwise come under their notice until late in life — would be exceedingly great. The effects produced by free libraries in other parts of the world have been such as to show that in educational respects they are of incalculable importance, and if they are bo beneficial where the means, of education are more varied and fully developed than in this pro vince, how much, more so would en institution of the kind be to us. The Government allowed pressure from Southern members to induce tbem to postpone the scheme last session, but it is to be hoped that such influence will not be brought to bear again, or if it is, tbat the Government will stand firm against it. In either case, the v • ■..';.■! y g i ._

' ' " ■' ' '.' ■ ' = voice of the people will certainly go with those who advocate the scheme, and in v.'me to come those who do so will derive much gratification from the knowledge of what a boon they have conferred upon the province. With respect to subscriptions, we would urge that those who have made such an excellent commencement should take measures for a full canvass throughout the province, so that the library may be a credit to us, and as complete in its details as possible, 'l'hey wiU certainly meet with the hearty sympathy of all classes, and a large amount will be obtained to supplement the Government grant. In a scheme of this kind the shilling of the working man should be sought after as well es the larger donations of the wealthy, therefore a systematic canvass should be the order of the day.