ASHBURTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2523, 10 May 1882, Page 4

ASHBURTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.

A public meeting for the purpose of considering the question of a site fer the proposed new library, was held in the Town Hall, Ashbarton, on Monday evening, his Worship the Mayor in the chair. Tnere was » good attendance, the importance of the subject to be discussed having the effect of filling the hall in all parts. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called in conformity {witb a resolution passed at the last sitting of the Borough -Council, to give the public an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the question of the library site. He was favorable to the meeting being held, but he might say that the Borough Council had already a site in view that he thought would be a suitable one, and it was one that could be procured without •ny difficulty. He referred to the Fire Brigade reserve, opposite the Triangle. This site was at the disposal of the Council, and that body had in contemplation a proposal to aspbalte the approaches thereto. Ha was decidedly adverse to building on any of the public squares while there were so many other sites procurable. Mr O. W, Parnell said he was about to propose the firet resolution. Ashburton was, be thought, about the only town of any size in the colony that did not possess a good library in proportion to its population, and a good library was an institution badly needed in Ashburton. He was opposed to Baring square being used for the purpose, but the site chosen should be a central one. He would move this icesting the library reserve in Tanored street is not in a sufficiently central position for the purposes of a public library ; and that the Government bo tberafore requested to grant the library committee the use of a portion of the reserve at the junction of Earl and Wills streets, next to the Post Office ; but in the event of such application being refused, the next beat site obtainable would be on reserve No. 766, at the junction of Havelock street with Baring square.” After some remarks from the chairman, Mr Purnell asked leave to amend his resolution in favor of the fire brigade reserve, as auggested by the chairman.

The amended resolution was seconded by Mr Ward, the president of the library committee, and also supported by Mr Hughes, •nether of the library committee. Mr Buchanan moved an amendment to the effect that a portion of Baring square be utilised for the proposed library site, Mr Hogg supported the amendment, and spoke strongly against the unsuitableness of the old site, stating that the failure of the library was due in a groat measure to this fact.

Considerable discussion ensued, the general opinion being decidedly against the nee ofjthe public squares, and ultimately the chairman put the amendment to the meeting, which was lost by an overwhelming majority, Mr! Purnell's amended resolution was then put to the effect—“ That in the opinion of this meeting the library reserve in Tancred street is not in a sufficiently central position for the purposes of a public library, and that the Borough Council be requested to grant the library committee the use of a portion of the fire brigade reserve.” This was carried almost unanimously.

A resolution was also carried, requesting the Mayor to use his best endeavors to see the terms of the previous motion carried into effect, and after the usual vote of thanks to the chair the meeting terminated.