TE AWAMUTU PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 307, 28 June 1898, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU PUBLIC LIBRARY.

A SPECIAL meeting of the Public Library I Committee was held in the Library on Friday evening last. All the committee were present, namely, Messrs J, P. Vause (chairman), .lames L. Maudeno, T. Grcsham, C. Barker und J. F. Audrew. As this was a special meeting called at the request of the majority of the committee (Messrs Audrew, Barker and Mandeno) to settle a question which has caused a good deal of feeling amongst the local subscribers, I will tive full particulars of the meeting, and further, can assure your readers that it contains nothing contrary to facts. A week or so previous to the Library entertainment, which took place in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening last, a number of circulars were distributed, which gave particulars of the order of the pro gramme. On the back of the circulars it was announced that the librarian, Miss Ida M. Vause, would shortly open up in the library the sale of fancy goods, stationery, etc. No sooner had the circulars been issued than Messrs Andrew, Maudeno and Barker signed a requisition calling this special meeting, as they held that no such permission was granted for the building to be used for the sale of goods. In the interval, matters were freely discussed by those in favour und against the building being so used. The committee met on Friday to argue the question. Before proceedings commcuced, the chairman stated that the meeting was called at the request of Messrs Audrew, Barker aud Mandeno. After reading the minutes of the last meeting, the usual question was put as to their correctness. Mr Andrew: The word "stationery" was not mentioned at the last meeting. Permission was granted for the librarian to sell rubber stamps and fern cards. The Chairman : I protest I took the minutes correctly. Mr Andrew : They arc not altogether correct.

Mr Gresham : I am positive thejword " stationery" was used along with rubber stamps, fern cards, and nows agent. Mr Mandeno : I did not hear the word V stationery. '' Mr Barker : Nor did I. Was permission granted to her to sell articles of stationery is the question ? Mr Gresham : I heard the word stationery used and saw it reported in both papers. Mr Andrew : The newspapers have nothing to do with the question. Had I heard it mentioned I should certainly have objected at once. The Chairman : Directly I saw that there was opposition I stopped my daughter taking up the business. Have I fafsified the book or not. Mr Mandeno: Cross out the word " stationery " aud that will settle all. The Chairman : I object to cross out the word. You must confirm the minutes. Withdraw your permission.

Mr Mandeno : It was never understood that we should have stuff sold in the library. The Chairman : There has never been anything sold. Mr Andrew : What about the ferns ? The Chairman : She had permission to sell ferns aud stamps.

MrMandeno: It is a matter of injustice to the other tradespeople to have free rent. The Town Board will step in if it is used as a free shop. Mr Grebham : Have your minutes ever been impugned. The Chairman : Never during the •vhole eight years that I have acted as secretary to the library. This is a matter that affects my personal character. lam to l>c told by the boy in the street that I falsified the book to suit circumstances. Are these minutes correct or not.

Mr Andrew : They are correct except the word " stationery." The Chairman : You object because it will effect your business. Mr Andrew : No, I do not. You want us to confirm tho minutts. Myself and Mr Mandcno and Mr Barker are to sacrifice our dignity to please you. The Chairman : I was told second hand that the minutes would be challenged. I look upon this as a personal matter Voices : So we do. The Chairman: It does not say that stock would be kept in the buildings. Mr Barker : If those bills had not come out so soon no doubt this trouble would not have arisen. Mr Andrew : I read it in the paper about the shop business. The Chairman : I am cot responsible lor what appears in the papers. Both thepress representatives saw the minutes. "Whenever anything contrary to faot appears in the reports of the Library meetings I speak pretty straight to the accused. Mr Andrew ; I had two papers sent me (Times). They meant mc to see somethiug. I did not even open the papers. Mr Grcsham : A man in similar business objects. Mr Andrew: You are making it as personal as you possibly can. Mr Gresham : You should withdraw those words. I mentioned no names, but if the cap tits wear it. Mr Andrew : You are wearing a cap that fits you anyhow. Mr Mandeuo: It would be unjust to the other tradespeople to allow the building to be used as a shop. Mr Andrew : If the librarian is granted permission to sell goods there should be fresh tenders for the position. There are some who would no doubt be willing to do the duties for nothing in order to get free shop rent. Mr Gresham proposed that the minutes, as read, be confirmed. Mr Barker : In order to prevent any further discussion, and as the Chairman assures us that he will not allow the building to be used as a shop, I will second the motion. Mr Mandeno took a similar view ; but Mr Andrew held out and still objected. After the minutes were confirmed, Mr Andrew proposed, in order to prevent any future unpleasantness in connection with the library, " That the building be used as a Public Library only, and that permistion qranted at the last meeting be withdrawn."

This was supported by Messrs Man\ deno and Barker. Mr Gresham proposed as a amendment, that the Librarian be granted permission to fell itationery, newspapers, etc. This motion lapsed, there bcinc no seconder, Mr Vause stating that hi would take no part in the voting ; but had it been anyone else than his daughter interested he would have supf orted Mr Gresham. ' Mr Grcsham said that the members should study the welfare of the library. The fact of it being open to the public during the whole week,evenings included, would be of great convenience to the subscribers. Mr Mandeno thought three nights in the week, as well as the afternoon, was ample. As there was noother business brought forward, the meeting closed. THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. A meeting of the sub-committee (Messrs Vause. Gresham and Barker), appointed to carry out the Industrial Exhibition, was held immediately after. The Chairman stated that he had received a reply from His Excellency, the Earl of Ranfurly, accepting the position as patron. It was decided to include the Raglan district.—(Own Correspondent).