OLD BOOK COMES HOME

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21417, 8 March 1935, Page 10

OLD BOOK COMES HOME

1.0.5T FOH MANY YKARS Attached to Christ's College is a comprehensive library, which includes many valuable books sent out from England when the first settlers made their homes in Lyttelton and on the then virgin Canterbury Plains. One of these volumes, alter an absence from the library of many years, has been returned to the college authorities by the Smith Family.—a Wellington organisation which exists primarily for the anonymous dispensation of assistance to those in need. Last year the Smith Family inaugurated a travelling circulating library for the use of the men in unemployment camps. An appeal was made to the public for reading matter and more than 3000 books now circulate among the various relief camps each month. A few weeks ago a parcel of books was given for this library by an anonymous donor, and among them was Volume 11. of a work published in 1816, bound in calf, and bearing a book plate inscribed "In trust for Christchurch College, Canterbury Settlement, New Zealand. Presented to the Bishop Designate of Lyttelton. "' The Smith Family, realising that the volume was probably part of the Christ's College library, communicated with the college bursar, Mr E. R. Webb, and the volume will again find a resting place among those tomes which were sent to Canterbury in its infant days to assist in laying a cultural foundation for the students in Britain's youngest colony.