OUR ATHENAEUM.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 212, 2 August 1878, Page 6

OUR ATHENAEUM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — But for the fact that "A Subscriber," in his letter last week, makes ono or two glaring mis-statements and misconstrues my letter, I should not have troubled you with any further communication on this subject. Some people, however, place a deal of credence on anything and everything they see in print, and consequently I am compelled to take up my pen in defence of my former statements. With regard to the income of the Institution, I may mention that I was under the impression that revenue (in addition to members' subscriptions) was derivable from other sources — such aa enter-

tainments, hy letting the hall, &c. — which would make the amount considerably more than L3O annually. I may be wrong, but if so it is the fault of those intimately don- • nected with the Institution in not letting the public a little into their secrets. " A Subscriber " wiil probably be surprised to learn that I never advocated the appointment of a librarian. In making such an insinuation he does me an injustice. With tho present Secretary I believe this work is entirely a labour of love, and I am sure no one would wish to see his place filled by another. As to whether newspapers are sent to Atheiueums free or no, yoio* correspondent makes a rash assertion. I defy him or any one else to prove that one-four th (to say nothing of nine-tenths) of the colonial newspapers sent to the AtheiiEeum are paid for by the Committee. They are sent without charge. Your correspondent says our Athenaeum would bear favourable comparison wifch such Institutions elsewhere. He is simply talking nonsense. I have had the opportunity of visiting Athemoums in eight Provincial Districts in New Zealand, and all of them — taking into account the sizes of the cities and townships — have been far in advance of that at Balclutha. He attacks me anent the latch key, but does not in any way justify the Committee in resorting to a measure which is an insult to all honest people in the place. By the way, is it not peculiai that latch keys appear to have been necessary where he, has resided, while in places where I have lived Athenajiun Committees have not found it essential to the well-being of their Institutions to introduce them 1 Comparisons are odious ! On one or two other points he assails me — notably my ' ' narrowminded conduct " — but his arguments are merely the idiosyncrasies of a nature that delights in finding fault where no fault exists. What I said a fortnight ago I repeat now — that the Athenaeum is a disgrace to those in charge of it ; and no letters from "A Subscriber " will convince me that such is not the case. The past Committees seem to have been almost invariably afflicted with droAvsiness, and the present Committee (following the deplorable example of their predecessors) display no more energy than well, than donkeys, for want of a more suitable . simile. When they bestir themselves, and place the Athenaeum on a proper footing, they may fairly expect the support of the public of Balclutha, and they certainly l will have the cordial support and hearty j good wishes of Diogenes." J Balclutha, July 31.