Original Correspondence

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 485, 8 March 1881, Page 3

Original Correspondence

We nre at all times ready to give cxprcS'

pion to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible for the views advocated by our correspondents.

TUB AKAUOA LIBRARY, To the Editor.

Sir,—Painting the lily and gilding the fine gold are amongst the efforts reserved for states of Arcadian simplicity that one would have imagined a body like the Committee of the Akaroa Library would have risen superior to. Judge the surprise of some of the subscribers at finding tenders called for and accepted for painting and decorating the library building externally. The first objection to this is that it is not necessary, and the second that the money for the puipose is being

withdrawn from the ordinary revenue to

which subscribers look for an increase in the number and quality of books. The last, I take it, is the only function the Committee of Management. The trunt who were, as I understand, to be BKwiped out by an Act of Parliament, which actually passed into law. still have a wonderful amount of vitality and obstructiveneSH, nnd it is at the request of this latter body that the useless external ornamentation has to be dons. A divided responsibility like this is clearly inimical to the best interests of the institution, and the Committee should take steps to have the qnestion settled once and for all, and I feel sure if the trust were approoched in a proper manner that the matter could be arranged. In doing this the Committee would do much to popularise the library by putting its affairs in such a train as would prevent the clashing of two ruling: bodies.—l am, etc.,

A SUBSCRIBER