NGAMATAPOURI NOTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10817, 6 December 1902, Page 5

NGAMATAPOURI NOTES.

(.From Our Own Correspondent.) A few months ago a meeting was called ■ by Mrs E. P., Liffiton to consider a scheme for a public library. The meeting wae well attended, and under the guidance of of Mr C. Hobson, the scheme assumed pro* .portions beyond the anticipations of the convener, instead Of having shelves at Mr Armstrong's store, Mr Hobson suggested th£ erection of a small mulcting jIOV the purpose. At the first blush »Mr Hobsou's proposal was thought to be" too ambitious, but he had his ngures worked out, and was- 'able to quote the actual cost of such a modest room as, he had in his mind: Me also very generously _'undextook to lend so much of the money as was not forthcoming at the start. An adjournment having been taken to allow ilr Hobaon to ascertain what funds could be rais- * ed in furtherance ot kia 'scheme, such- goou use was niade by that gentlenian 01 the opportunity thac at the second meeting, .he w,as in a position to materially enlarge upon' las original jiroposul. He had maiiy oustactes" to overcome, out with cliaracteilsnu energy ana the generous euppprt ot our, most enthusiastic iibn. librarian, Miss lvey, aiid a 1 pushing .committee, lie has overcome then* ail, and, -now the .timber 101 the .building is on the- site and a very few weeks will bee what was at hrst felt- to be s a 'library decidedly "in the air" a well.organiseu. and weJi-officercd institution on terr.i iirma. Untortunateiy the hon. librarian, Miss Ivoy, owing to ill-health, has been obliged to resign her position, ana there is no doubt .thac her loss at t»uch au early date, will be a serious one. iiowever, £ understand that JMr William Jriobson, the brother of the chairman, is to oe ask/ed to taks up the duties -and it is to be nopod he ma) be maucea to do so, especially as he has had ioriner experience in tho work. • Aliss JileConachie has iandly 'Lonscntcd to act as yub-liDrarian.

There is, naturally enough, a tendency to ask why, if the horary can be proposeu and carried to a completion «• xchm so short iv sp'uce; shoxild tUe' -building ot the church 'li«ger for ho long. .Ihe anbwer, ol coinse, is money. 'Ihu library Coiamittee has all 10 needs, whercan the Jhurcli Committee is'sho^t of a sum. nior,e than equal to the wh,olc # of the present dbrary :uuds. It is very 'easy, for the dog with the tail to wag. it. Nevertheless the church wiil be bunt, and that beiore .lung-