TE AWAMUTU PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 88, 23 February 1912, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Public Library was held in the library buildings last evening. The attendance was very poor, only six members being present when the meeting opened. More came later, until there were present: Messrs Collins (chairman), Rev. Woollass, Mathews, Mandeno, Bluck, Bockett, Anderson, Stewart and Warburton. The following report was read :

The balance-sheet for the year ending shows a gross total of receipts of £54 9s 4d, including the small credit balance of £1 6s 2d brought down from last year. The total subscriptions received being £25. Ten years ago the subscriptions were £25 ss, as may be seen by the balance-sheet for the year ending 1901. It is surprising that with the marked advance in the progress of the town that the support of the Library should remain stationary. The reading-room is, however, very popular, and is always well supplied with newspapers and magazines. Besides the income derived from subscriptions, £l4 was received as the Government subsidy, also a local party gave an entertainment for the benefit of the Library, which resulted in £l2 is 6d being given to the Library. These amounts were very acceptable, and enabled the Library to pay its way, while the sum of £24 12s 8d was expended in books and magazines. The liabilities outstanding, we believe are tinder £5. Miss Mandeno and Mr J. Stewart both held the position 4 of librarian during the year, but since October Miss Ingham has held the position and has efficiently carried out the duties of the office. The balance-sheet and report as read were adopted and a vote of thanks was accorded the Minstrel circle for its assistance in donating the sum of £l2 is 6d, the proceeds of an entertainment to the Library funds. The following officers were elected :—President, J. A. Young Esq., M.P. ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs E. I. Miller, W. N. Von Stunner, Wm. Taylor; Committee : Messrs Collins, Woollass, Mathews, Mandeno, White, Bluck, and Bockett. The chairman reported that there were 84 subscribers to the library. The librarian handed in her resignation. This was accepted with regret and it was resolved to call applications for the position.

Mr G. Spinley wrote asking if the library section in Redoubt Street was available for leasing. It was resolved to approach the Town Board and ask them to deal with the matter. Considerable discussion arose out of the proposal to convert the present reading-room into a shop and transfer the reading-room to the Young Men’s Institute room. It was held that this proposal would be in the interests of the library and would utilise the valuable property to much better advantage. It was ultimately resolved to appoint Mr H. Y. Collins and Rev. Woollass a deputation to wait upon the Town Board in the interests of [the proposal. It was decided to adjourn the meeting in order to deal with the report of the Town Board. A vote of thanks to the retiring officers and to the chairman concluded the meeting.