FIRST LIBRARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 6, 3 May 1939, Page 7

FIRST LIBRARY

' an old minute book WHAT THEY READ IN 1880 At the annual meeting of the Whakatane Public Library on Mon.day night a point of procedure came up which called Tor reference to tin* society's by-laws. In her search )o>.these the librarian, Mrs H. Carr, showed members the original minute book and list .of members and books in circulation which was prepared by Mr R. O. Stewart, the first librarian . and treasurer. The first entry in the book shows that the library was incorporated under the Public Libraries Powers Act 1875 by a declara. "tion made at the Supreme -Court Auckland by Robert Oliphant Stewart on January 6, 1880. The list of original members contains the names of many well-known i early pioneers of the district, ihey are: Joseph Merritt, Robt. 0., Stewart, Frederick Gunther, E. H. Hen. der'son, T. S. Stewart, Nicholas Marsh, George Southgate, James Hunter, George Cumberlege, Carl William Lyons, Benjamin 1 Biddle, John Ryan, INlrs Wilkin, William T. Kirvvan, Randolph O. Stewart, and Frederick Wilson. First Meeting K The first annual meeting was hekl on January 31st, 1880 and it elected the following committee of six: Joseph Merritt, Robert,O. Stewart, S. H. Henderson, F. Gunther, N. Marsh .-and Robert O.* Stewart. Tne library .commenced operations with 212 books in April it received 12 volumes from the Board of Education and later in the month Mr Stewart presented a further 76, It was about this time that Mr Stewart resigned his position on the library cotnmittee. He left a detailed account of its activities to date, and directions for its future conduce. Apparently the library agreed to pay Tiim £20 for the books he presented to it and his survey includes the balance owing to him. and details 0i sums received. A glance through the list of books T" Issued and not returned at the time of Mr Stewart's resignation showsi that the library functioned for a year or two before it was incorporated in. 1880. Mr H.-P. Bluett was the first member to have a black mark against his name in that rc. rspect-. He borrowed ''Two Years before the Mast'* in 1878 and there is no sign of its return. HowcNei, a ■goodly list of citizens of that day "keeps him company. Even the Re\ • A. C. Soutar took out a two volume • commentary on the -New Testament -and apparently forgot to put it back, .and Mr W. Quinland, Mr H. Jekyll, l\lr I. Merritt, Mr I. McAlister, Mr I. Southgate, Mr G. Cumberlege and -severla others also felt from grace. 188«'s Thrillers * By the titles of the books taken, .out by members it seems that tastes were always about as depraved as "they are now. True, liomola, -"Monte Cristo," "Martin Chuzzlewit'' and other classics and senii. classics were read, but ISSO's thrillers like "Ralph the Heir,'' "Very .Far West Indeed,'' "Way we live Now,'' "Broken Butterflies, " "Lothf air,'' "Devereaux," "Red Rover,-' "Irish Rover,'' "Tale of Blood'' and -''Brought to Light" were much ii -demand.