The Wairarapa Institute.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1833, 17 May 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Institute.

The Wairarapa Institute ii one of those institutions which should receive every *ncouragement, hut we regie I to say that little or no interest is tak*u in it hy the aettleie, acd consequently it is in * 1 w condition. Considering that there is such avset amount ol reading mutter ol all kinds upon the abelve* and the reading room fairly well supplied with the literature of the day, it <ioee not speak well for the residents of the township to repot t that few persons patronise the Institute. So long as the public are indifferent toils welfare it is impossible for the committee to keep it supplied with the latent works and periodicals. No efforts put forth by the committee will avail nnlem they oa# depend upon the oo operation of the public. At the present time the Qreytown Volunteers have kindly offered to give a soiree in aid ol the funds. We would much rather hay* seen the volunteers helping themselves first, although we give them credit for the best oI intentions in trying to help the Institute. It is a shame that a body of men, who need public support themselves, should have felt it necessary to take such a step, and we hope the residents will look at the matter as w# da. For the sake of the Volunteers we hope the soiree will be well patronised, but ws think some steps should be taken to either throw the onus upon the public of keeping the Institute open or of devising some plan to revive it from its moribund condition. Borne of the members of the committee are thinking of sending in their resignations out of sheer disgust at the apathy shown outside. Meeting after meeting of subeoribers baa been called, but not a soul respond* beyond the members of the committee. The laat annual meeting was a complete farce. Only the members of the committee were preeeot; a freeh one to carry on the basinets was to be elected, so these gentlemen elected themselves and took office again, and tb* public may be thankful that they did eo jut to keep things going. As matters stand at present we suggest that the committee call a meeting of subscribers to lay the position ol the Institute before them; failing to get a meeting let them resign sod if necessary let the Institute be closed nntil the public are made to feel the loss ; or if the committee are willing to cany on let an effort be mad* to recussitate the winter entertainments. This will perhaps create an interest. It will at any rate aid the funds, and enaW* tb* committee to improve the library and reading room literature. Besides, it will afford some pleasant evening’s recreation and bring out the talents of many who have no opportunity of otherwise displaying them. Unless something is done, and that speedily, the Wairarspa Institute will come to grief.