WOOLSTON.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 84, 7 September 1874, Page 4

WOOLSTON.

A public meeting was held in the new Hall, Woolston, last evening, to consider what steps should be trken for the purpose of erecting a building for a public library and reading-room in the district. The chair was taken by Mr W, Montgomery, M.H.R. The Chairman said that the meeting had been called by advertisement, to consider what steps should be taken for erecting a building for a library and reading-room. It gave him very great pleasure to come down that evening to take the chair for such an object. The gentleman who would propose the resolution would no doubt go fully into the matter. He (the chairman) thought that the establishment of a library in so populous a district would be most beneficial, as libraries were, without doubt, a means of educating the people. The Provincial Council had voted £IO,OOO (£SOOO last session and £SOOO the previous session) towards the establishment of libraries and supplying them with books; and that amount was irrespective of that which had been voted for the public library in Christchurch. Seventy libraries had been established, and others were in the course of formation, to take advantage of the vote, as a considerable portion of the money remained unappropriated. If it were determined to establish a library in the district he did not think there would be any difficulty in their receiving a portion of the endowment, but it would first be necessary to comply with the regulations made, and very wisely bethought, not by the Government of which he was a member, but by the preceding one. [Conditions read.] Those were the conditions under which the Government aided the inhabitants of any district who wished to establish a library, and the gentleman who would move the resolution would be able to explain the means by which these conditions would be carried out. Personally he did not think that any difficulty would be experienced in raising the necessary amount to take advantage of the grant, as he had no doubt that not only persons living in the district, but others living in Christchurch and elsewhere, friends of education, would subscribe with pleasure towards such an object ; and he did not believe that the gentlemen who had taken the matter in hand would have very great difficulty in obtaining the subscriptions required. [Applause.] Mr H. A. Bamford said that they were all well aware that there was already a library in the district ; but the committee had received notice to quit the building at the end of the year ; and as it was necessary that some action should be taken before that time, it was thought it would be as well to take steps to establish such a library that would be a benefit to the district, and enable them to obtain a portion of the Government grant. Before this could be done a site would have to be purchased and vested in trustees. They had already a very good stock of books on hand, and if the Government would supplement it by a grant, they would have a very good library. The chairman had said that libraries were the means of educating the people, and with such an object in T iew they should have little difficulty in obtaining £l5O or £4O, as that amount ought to be sufficient to procure a good she in Woolston ; and after they had obtained the site, and vested it in trustees, they could then make application to the Government for a portion of the grant. He moved—“ That a subscription-list be opened for the purpose of erecting a building for a readingroora in the district.” They had already 456 vols, exclusive of periodicals, in their library, and that number would give them a very good start, He would ask those present to place their names on the subscription-list before leaving the meeting. The resolution was seconded by Mr Richardson. A gentleman in the body of the hall asked if the library was to be free, or if a charge was to be made for admission, Mr Bamford said that a charge would have to be made, as they were not at present in a position to have a free library. The chairman said, that if the subscribers would appoint trustees and a committee of of management, it would be an after consideration what charge should be made for the circulating library. Some charge would no doubt be necessary for that department, as the books would require to be attended to ; but it would then be a question whether the reading-room could not be free, and he would hope that they would be able to decide that this should be so, as was the case in Christchurch. This, however, would be for the inhabitants to decide when they elected a committee of management. In reply to Mr Bamford, the chairman said that the Government had sent for a considerable number of books, as by importing them they got them better and cheaper. If the trustees decided what books they required, the Government would aid them in sending for them. The resolution was then put and caried unanimously. Mr Bamford mentioned that the committee would be happy to receive donations of books from any gentlemen who might not further desire them. The chairman said that if a subscription list were started ho would be happy to place his name on it, [Hear, hear.] He thought the meeting should nominate a committee for the purpose of collecting subscriptions and taking the preliminary steps ; that would be a practical commencement. The following gentlemen were proposed and elected as members of the committee . Messrs Simraonds, Richardson, Mardon, Attwood, Smith, Bamford, Freeman. A subscription li ' was opened, and £35 5s subscribed in the room, A vote of thanks to the chairman, and replied to by that gentleman, concluded the business of the meeting.