Untitled

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3808, 28 September 1883, Page 3

After all said and done the question of a Public Library for Napier is a very prosaic ono. It is only a question of money. If tho ratepayers want a free library under the Act they must give their consent to its establishment at the polling booth. If the result of the poll is in tho affirmative the Municipal Council has then power to levy a rate not exceeding one penny in tho £1 for the support of the institution. Will the ratepayers agree to this 'i is what has to be decided. At the last poll that was taken on this question there was a strong fooling that the agitation for a free library arose amongst and was maintained by those who could well afford to pay a μ-uinoa a year for tho literature they could obtain at the Athenieum. There docs not seem at the present time to bo any serious demand for a free library on the part of those for whom such an institution is usually spceially established. It may bo that they are satisfied to leave the agitation in tho hands of those who are now advocating a free library. We should, however, have liked to sec the agitation spring from another source, and public opinion tested at public meetings. Perhaps tho leaders of the movement will accept this as a suggestion, and not risk defeat by taking a poll of the ratepayers before gauging public feeling on the question.