MORE ABOUT THE LIBRARY SITE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 July 1910, Page 4

MORE ABOUT THE LIBRARY SITE.

To fclio Editor. Sir.—J have been doing .some li.vi thinking ol' late on the (liui:.m*si«£ morals of mankind genera' 7. and particularly of (lie '.-1 c ; ~>str,;;o s that have altered thi Y't-,\s of mr vortl'y Mayor in -.vMisid-r *1 I f light to the libra mi <"s'oml k: cet. A few \wi-s ag» 1 >■ •• Ma\oi (011 Id .see nothing in I.t-r'n \f>ti■ ■ l; t.lie part 110, h <•[ 0 1 ■ • 1 s' '».■■■ t li.t since the sa'e ol 'hi- WellingtonManawatu 1 »;i: 1 y Company's gravel pit, between Hath street and Weraroa, things have changed considerably. Vonr account of the debate at last Council meeting is headed ''All innited Debate on the Library Site." ''Strong Speech hy tlie .Mayor.' '"Library in Jeopardy." etc., etc. The Mayor threatens he will take part in an agitation is lie does not jiiet his way, and he asserts that the .southern end of Li rin is progressing just as mneh as the northern end. Vos! Mr Kditor. railway cross.•r.gs have heen made down that May; asphalt footpaths formed: jiikl thinngs generally are looking up; and tiie vicinity of the gravel pit shares tilie rise. Sonic months a fry Mayor Gardener moved with the object of getting the library put 011 <1 site south of tile Levin Public School, offered hy the owner of the gravel pit. Kvan the A Vera roa. ratepayers looked sideways at this proposal .and a majority of the councillors refused with thanks. After this flutter the north end ratepayers expected the Mayor to return to his old love, and give York street reserves a chance for tlie site. Xo offers came from that quarter: so he amain turns to the fast growing south end for sympathy and support. Being baulked In- Levin councillors, our Mayor throws Lis lot in witli Councillors Pronse, Palmer and others and selects fi corner site between Tint-li and C';i.7iil>ri(l frc streets, njiv the east of the railway line, adjoining over two hundred acres of leasehold small farms—riglilt away from civilisation. This would be «n isolated site for a library. Mi Editor- alongside the noisy railway lino traflir-, dangerously exposed, and .a great lump of land that would require mints of money for its upkeep out of our rates. Even the "Weraroa or soutli end of Levin are wondering why Itlieir representstives should support tliis out-of-the-wav site. "We can understand Coun-il-lors Palmer and Prouse fnvo'iiring Cambridge street corner, but what's the matter witli Councillor Cameron and his good judgment: Itlie site yards from the centre of Weraroa! And now, Mr Kdit-v. 1 notice in youir report of tli liitrary debate that a majority of the Council found courage to again oppose our worthy Mayor and other councillors; and so nasity things were said - threats, murder, injusice to Old Ireland, ete. Gottimg down to hard facts, leaving out all personal gains, let 11s consider -a site that will suit all sides of tho Jioroujjh, and ait the same time a goo'd business i>noposition to ratepayers. Generally. Mr Editor, what can anvoue say a.gajuiist the library being ]>laced in Oxford street. Levin, right in the middle of tho Horough Reserve- sav in,lion,t Bradley's Stables. 'lllris .site would ho nearer Venaroa hy many yards, and more convenient to the northern end of Levin, in fact-, .an ideal site for all parties. f say put it where it will increase tho value of the Borough Council frontages soon to be offered for lease bv 'auction.. Put it where it will be liVost conveiiii -ut to the travelling publie, so that they can: rest while waiting to go by coach to ti'ie staif-ion. Put it whore young men will find it easy and convenient to call while in the main street. Put it where quietness reigns, away from .the .passing trains and noisy Army Ball. Put it where tho street is ■well lighted and the mad clean and .populated ; so that our wives .mothers, or sisters, ma.y .have no fear of loneliness, darkness or accident 011 railwnv line; where business men will find it convenient to visit instead of palling in at the hotels or clubs, to Ti'rite letters; where the groin wis can l>e made attractive with Lawn and shrubs ami garden, vet not too big .ami costly; to maintain. All tin's ami more can be said of Bradley's site, _ as being the most favourable position for the library; and in justice to seven-tenths of tho residents of tilie borough that should be the Spot. Again to tho M>ayor: Tn his speech ■lie says bo is pledged:—(not "for"

Mr Editor, but "against") t'ho convenience of a big majority of rout and ratepayers of this town. Already tiho south cud is possessed of a fair share of the public, amd private- institu-tions—inside and outside, of the borough a.nea—ii'amely : I'liib'lic school, Hoys' Training Kami. Post OHiee, lOxperiniental Farm, Racecourse, Mowliug Green, Showgrounds, Railw-ay Station, Reereation Ground. Cemetery, two sawniills, gasworks, and last, but not least, the railway gravel pit. With tlio advantages in favour of Oxford street position .the chief magistrate of Levin threatens unless he pan get his way that "there will be an agitation and lie would take part in it." Mr lCditor! I would a.sk, "What for?" . fn conclusion I would liken Mr Gardener's action to the position of the "dog in the m-anger." TIo can,not get the library site on -the railway gravel pit, so for spite lie throws his lot in with 'other councillors for the. next worst position on borough reserves. An election is to take place shortly. Levin North may miss a little 'bit of convenience if its residents don't get interested. Enough I----.T am, etc., WATCHFUL.