NAPIER ATHENÆUM.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3803, 22 September 1883, Page 3

NAPIER ATHENÆUM.

A special general meeting of the body corporate was held last evening in the institute to consider a proposal to bring the Athemeum under the Public Libraries Act. The chair was occupied by Dr. Spencer, President, and there was a good attendance of members. . . , . dipt. Precce moved, "That it is desirable that the members of the body corporate take steps to bring the institution under the Public Libraries Act, 1860, and that his Worship the Mayor be requested to take a poll of tho ratepayers in accordance with , tho Act." Mr Large seconded the motion. Mr P. Bear pointed out that the Mayor i could not take the steps proposed unless requisitioned by at least ten householders in tho borough, and this had not been done. Ho contended that the institution was at present ipsefaclo a public library. Mr Large said that Mr Bear was laboring under a misapprehension. Tho Athenreum was not incorporated under the Libraries Act of 1879, but under a special private Act of its own. In answer to a question by Mr Dobson, tho Mayor explained that before he < could take action ho must receive a requisition signed by ten ratepayers asking him to take a poll, if the ratepayers decided to establish a public library tho Borough Council could strike a special library rate not exceeding a penny in tho pound. Tho Athciueum would then become vested in tho Council who would control its management, unless the Council choose to avail themselves of a clause in the Act enabling the property to be vested in trustees. Mr Hill strongly advocated tho motion of Captain Preece. It would do no harm to tako a poll of the ratepayers, and it could be .ascertained then if the Athoiiicum members would hand over their rights and property. Personally he was in favor of that being dotfo. Mr Kirker sympathised with the motion, but would oppose it on the grounds that it was not required they should assume tho ■position of philanthropists, and, secondly, because it would be inexpedient to impose any heavier burden on ratepayers than they at present had to bear. Mr Fielder concurred, and remindedthe meeting that the Government subsidy might cease at any moment. Four years ago the ratepayers woro polled, and negatived a like proposal, and it was hardly likely they ■would consent now. Mr Harker thought all tho previous speakers woro laboring under a false impression. As he road the Act the Athciueum members would still retain their property, and tho management, even if tho institution were made a public one. Tho difference would be that the reading-room and roforence library would bo free. If a rate were struck by the Borough _ Council so much the better for tho institution ; if not, it would be in no worse position than now. The motion was ultimately negatived by twelve votes to ten, and the Mayor, having , ruled that no other business could be dealt with at tho present meeting, the proceedings terminated.