CHRISTCHURCH PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2183, 23 February 1881, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Mr F. O. Hall, of Sydenham, writes to us as follows :—“ I beg to enclose a copy of the petition that will be submitted to the citizens for their signature ” : —<■ To the Governors of Canterbury College. , The memorial of the undersigned citizens of Christchurch humbly ehoweth

Your memorialists have noticed that a number of citizens are about to lay before yen a petition against the opening of the Publio Library on Sundays. And year memorialists have also noticed, with very great surprise, that the said petitioners assert that the opening of the [Museum on Sundays has not served the purpose for which that step was ostensibly taken. It is impossible that anyone can have observed the attendance and the delight and instruction derived by those who attend the Museum on Sunday afternoons, and fail to see the immense advantage to a large class of people who are unable to visit that institution on any other day. Your memorialists beg to draw your attention to the fact that the mere opening of such an institution as that of the Publio Library cannot possibly be productive of harm, as it involves no compulsory attendance upon any portion of the community. Those who wish to go there are at liberty to do so, and can enjoy the advantages of spending a few hours in obtaining that instruction which they cannot obtain on other days. Those who do not wish to go can of course remain away, even an attendant would not be compelled to be there. We, your memorialists, therefore moat respectfully desire to impress upon you, the governing body of this institution, that there cannot, under any circumstances, be any question as to the harmlessness of opening this institution, even supposing that the opening of it would do no good. The memorialist! referred to who oppose the opening of this institution on Sundays say that the opening involves a great principle, which is also involved “ in the public recognition of the Christian Sabbath day. We, yonr memorialists, most respectfully submit that the affording such instruction and innocent amusement as can be obtained by thousands at the Museum and Library on Sundays, cannot be in any sense other than a Christian mode of recognising the Sabbath afternoon. We need hardly call your attention to the fact that the Sabbath day of a large number of our respected citizens is on Saturday. In conclusion, we respectfully submit that the opening of the Library on Sundays will be on immense boon to. and conducive to the good of, a very large number of the community.