SIR GESORGE GREY ON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3711, 7 June 1883, Page 4

SIR GESORGE GREY ON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Auckland, This day.

Sir George Grey delivered an address to the citizens of A.itckliiul on Wednoscay i ighr, in thn 'Hi a> ro Royal on tlio principlos which eho tkl govern tho citizens of A n'k!:iiKt .n forming- their Free Public Libiui'.'. i lie building was crowded to excess lung lot' >re tlio appointed hour by a remarkably representative ii.sseml.ily, comprising ninny liiriiiber.s of tho Legislature, Bishops Gowio and Luck, a number of clorgv of all denominations, and moat of our leading citizens. Tho acting -Mayor, Councillor Waddell, presided. On Sir George Grey appearing on the platform tho assemblage rose to tlioir feet and greeted him "with applause. Tho Ghaii'inan, in introducing Sir George Grey, said that tho City Council "with its own funds and those obtainable from the muniiicent bequest of tho late Edward Costley, were now in a position to proceed ■with the erection of buildings for the Tree Public Library and Art Gallery.

Sir George Grey, on coming forward, was greeted with cheers. After referring to the emulation which the national rivallies of the Old World afforded, and which was lacked here, he passed on to allude to our early institutions under which tho provinces might have prospered and advanced. These, he said, had been abolished by a majority of the Parliament; he would not .say of the elector.-, for there was no justice in tlio elections then. The people-had made the best of it, as he had himself, and risen above their misfortunes. 'While the South had ample endowments these were scantily provided here, and tliuy had to look to a central Government for t'und.-s for the institutions. It was under these circumstances that a host of public benefactors had arisen to meet the deiicit, and to counteract the piivsiinoiiy of a distant Government. Uα. l might mention the names of Judge Gillies, the lion James Williamson, ilio Hon. Thomas llussell, Dr. Campbell, Mi- G. T. MaclCelvie, and lastly tlio late Edward Costley. Jt was fitting that in as one"of tho grwifc centres of commerce of the fiiliu-u which would dominate the South Sea Islands, there should be a library comprising the most varied collection of books in European languages. Tlio population of tho colony would bo a mixed one, and tho library should be formed keeping that fact in view. It should also contain every book relating to tho history, language, and traditions of tho aboriginal races of tho Australasian group and the South Seas, and every inducement; should be held out to men of learning to resort here to inspect the literary treasures which were gathered together. Sir George then gave an admirable description of the contents of the library which ho had presented to the citizens of Auckland, showing that in many respects it fulfilled these requirements. The AngloSaxon, the German, tho Frenchman, the Italian, or tho Scandinavian would in that library iind books to interest him, as it contained works in 110 languages, and in that, respect the library was unique in the world. Sir George exhibited some rave documents, and read correspondence in the handwritings of Lord Nelson, Sir Charles Lyell, Sir John Horschell, and other eminent men. Along with this correspondence, he said, would be found in the library letters from military, naval, and civil ofiicers to himself during th« earlier days of the colony. When they came to peruse these documents they must judge dispassionately of those who acted in those troublous times. In his own not voi-y loi.ythy life lio h.-xtl to iiiakelaw-s nil'ecting the happiness and future of nearly three millions of people now living, and to bear the responsibility alone. He hoped no attempt would bc'made here to found great families, but that all would unite to found a nation and to make that nation happy and free. Their publii: benefactors wanted no niches in public h:ills, but let their monuments bo the library and art treasures, scattered around, which visitors from all parts of the colony could inspect and enjoy, and say, "These benefactors needed no other monuments." Sir George Grey sat down amid much cheering after speaking for an hour and a hiilf. Bishop Cowio moved, and Mr J. G. Firth seconded, a vote of thanks to Sir Georgo Grey for his address, and for the gift of his valuable library to the citizens of Auckland. The former, in doing so, said he hoped other Auckland citizens would now and hereafter imitate Sir George Grey's munificent liberality. The vote was carried by acclamation. Sir Geoi'ge, in moving a, vote of thanks to tho chairman, said that the Mayor and Corporation of Auckland deserved the thanks of the public for the efforts they were making to provide .suitable buildings for the Tree Public Library and Art Gallovy. The meeting broke up with three cheers for Sir George Grey.