CLOSING THE LIBRARY.

Waipa Post, Volume XIX, Issue 1102, 7 June 1921, Page 5

CLOSING THE LIBRARY.

BOROUGH COUNCIL’S DECISION.

“A MUNICIPAL DISGRACE."

“ Dark, dirty, and insanitary ” ' was the description given by a borough councillor last night when referring to the local library buildings, and the remark led to a decision to close the institution. There thus passes out of existence a public institution which has existed since the earliest days of Te Awamutu. Early in the discussion Cr Jeffery, as chair,man of the library committee, stated that the institution was not satisfactory, and proper records were not being kept. The conditions were not helpful, and improved premises were needed.' , Cr Clark thought it would be' better to close the library than to continue it in its present state.

Cr Wynyard agreed. The institution was a disgrace, and the whole place had become everybody’s property, and if the Council did not close it .soon there would be no library left to close.

Cr Oliphant suggested the sale of the property, the money derived to form the nucleus of a new library fund. The Council . had not the money to build on the frontage, and the present conditions were hopeless. Cr Downes agreed that th,e conditions were generally unsatisfactory: He also agreed that the Council should realise on the security and put the money to better use. , Cr Wynyard proposed that the library be closed and the question of the utilisation or disposal of the property be referred to the committee for report. Cr Oliphant suggested the setting up of a special committee, and there was some discussion. Finally it was left to the library committee to deal with the future of the premises and report.