THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 181, 4 February 1896, Page 2

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Mr Eadc made ten statements, nine of which were utterly wrong, and as ! he published only the least important retractions kindly insert the following. I am, etc., The Chairman. "My Dear Mr Eade, —Re Public Library — I will reply sentence by sentence, and as you have been so obviously misled by someone with a bee in his bonnet on the whole of the matters of fact, I invite you in fairness to publish this to-day. Ist. The committee of nine unanimously decided the question of procuring magazines for subscribers, ,and raised their subscriptions (not the rates) for that purpose — It was not because that wicked Chairman said so 2nd. The Library rate is not used for subscribers' purposes in any way. i3rd. The loan rate on account of the building is not collected, and the other loan rate has nothing whatever to do with the question. 4th. Everyone may read, free of charge, any or all of the books whether purchased by subscribers or presented. sth. The subscription for taking out books or magazines is 4s, not 2s 6d. 6th. Subscribers pay the Librarian in order that the rates may keep a free roading room as we intend it shall, in the interests of ratepayers, be kept. Please remember the debt of .£66 paid by ratepayers, before the days of management by Committee, through falling off of subscriptions. 7th. Mrs Macarthur's promised donation of books and even those purchased by subscribers — see No. 4. I will now call upon you to subscribe, and the publication of these corrections will materially assist my canvas of the town. " I am, etc, " Jas. H. Stevens, Chairman." Feildiug, February 4th, 1896.