THE DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM.

Evening Star, Issue 4112, 2 May 1876, Page 4

THE DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM.

To the Editor.

Sir, —Tbe large and ever-increasing number of books possessed by this institution renders it imperative that increased accommodation should, before long, be provided for their proper reception. There are two proposals at present before tbe members to meet this much-felt want. Tbe first is to remove tbe library to the Lower Hall. To do this effectually it is proposed to cut up the present reference library and tbe room underneath in order to have a wide stair--ease for tbe necessarily constant stream of people going to and from the library. The Lower Hall is about as ill-adapted for a library as could well be imagined, being illligbted and badly ventilated, and having a dismal, gloomy appearance. All libraries of any pretensions should be lighted from tbe roof. To make this questionable improvement tbe institution will be deprived of a revenue from tbe Lower Hall and tbe room adjoining of from LSO to L 75 per annum. Tbe alterations to make this loss are estimated to cost from L 250 to L3OO. Tbe actual result if this were sanctioned would amount to something like this :—The reading room would be slightly enlarged, which is the only commendable thing in connection with it. Two of the most useful rooms would be entirely done away with, and the library would be located in a room that would constantly re-

mind its frequenters of tbe catacombs of Rome. It is indeed a matter of doubt whether the shelf accommodation would be much increased, because from the number of windows, and not being lighted Irom the top, a great deal of space would necessarily be lost. The more shelves the greater darkness, because the one would block out the light from the other. Another serious drawback would be the almost absolute necessity of employing another assistant, because it would be impossible for the librarian to know how things were getting on up-stairs (which he can easily do if the library is ou tbe same floor with the reading-room) while he is attending to his duties below. The roads of this Province are a happy illustration of the vagaries of genius, for to ordinary mortals without the genius it would seem that the chief aim of the engineer was to go up a hill for the sake of coming down, because in many instances more level roads could have been made, and in some cases they would even have been much shorter. Lord Russell’s famous saying, slightly altered, of “Rest and be thankful,” might well be posted up in golden letters at the top and bottom of the ascents. “Rest and thankfulness” that you have managed up, and another “Rest and a double-degree of thankfulness” that you have got safely down. The alteration referred to above would be something after the same kind, though with this difference, that instead of going up for the sake of coming down, it would be going down for tbe sake of coming up. The other proposal, which seems more rational on the face of it, is one which was

contemplated when the building was erected, viz,, to extend the building back its full width, say about thirty feet. This is estimated to cost from LI, 100 to L 1,500. But then consider what we should have for it. In the first place, the library and readingroom would be about double their present size, which would be a great improvement in itself. The lower hall would then be capable of holding about twice the number it does at present, and as a natural consequence it would be more sought after, so the revenue from this source would be increased. There would also be two or three additional rooms down stairs that would prove very useful to the institution. There would be no need for an additional assistant, because tbe library and reading-room would still be under the eye of the librarian. The institute would still

derive the benefit from letting the rooms downstairs; besides, the money spent on this addition would increase the value of the property, whereas the L3OO expended on the other proposal would not add one penny to the intrinsic value of the building—and it might possibly depreciate it. Were this addition carried out, I believe it would pay the institute handsomely, because the increased comfort and attractiveness could not fail to be appreciated, and a large addition to the membership would doubtless be the result. Did space permit I could have gone more fully into details showing the wisdom of the policy for the members of the institute to sanction the proposed expenditure. The Athenaeum is supposed to represent the intelligence of the community, and I think the members will not be true to themselves unless they strive to make it still more attractive and useful. I write this merely to draw the attention of the members to the proposed alterations, so that they may duly consider them before coming to the meeting on Monday next.—l am, &c., David R. Hay. Dunedin, May 1,