CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1734, 26 April 1913, Page 2

CIVIC AFFAIRS.

| PROPOSED-REFERENCE LIBRARY. Tho Mayor (Mr. M'Laren) has received a letter on tho subject of tho formation of a municipal reference library from Mr. G. P. Warner Terry, statistical officer to tho Metropolitan Water Board, London. Mr. Terry says: "At tho request of Lord Islington, I am sending you a list of books of refcrenco and other books of current importance, for tho purpose of forming a municipal library. > I have not attached much importance to annotated law books of statute law, seeing that they must materially differ in tho colonies from those obtaining in tho United Kingdom. In compiling tho list I havo been guided -by tho consideration as to what library 1 should feel disposed to bring with mo'if I were taking up a municipal appointment of tho first importance in either Australia or New 'Zealand. I havo given some prominence to labour and sociological matters, as these show an ever-increasing tendency to force themselves upon the. attention of municipal authorities in this country, and I see the same feature is by 110 means absent in the British dominions beyond the seas; If there is any other matter in which I can bo of use to you I shall bo only too happy to place iny services at your disposal." i

Mr. M'Laren stated in explanation that Lord Islington was good enough, while in i Wellington to give some of his time to discussing the establishment of a muni- [ cipal refcrcnco library, and promised to assist the Mayor in that direction when ho returned to London. 'Tlie list, which Mr. 'ferry had forwarded, Mr. M'Laren added, was excellently compiled, and lio thought it'u. splendid opportunity, when such valuable assistance was available, to establish a good reference library for tho uso of thoso engaged in governing the affairs of the city. Tli© work of the municipalities in tho Old Country lind accumulated rich stores of knowledge and experience, which a. reference librnrr would make accessible hero. Tho project, tho Mayor considers, need Jiofc entail any heavy financial outlay. •Ho is of opinion an expenditure of ,£2O or .£3O a year would provide a very useful library. '