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Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1925, Page 2

A suggestion' is about- to !>e put in hand for creating a children's reading room in connection with the local Pub]i- .Library. This is an 'interesting move which should have the approval of parents generally. T\e notice that there is such a hranc-h library in con.

nection with the diristchurch Public Library and it appears to be an unqualified success. The half-yearly report of the Librarian (Mr Bell) notes that .since “the completion of the new children’s library in December there has been a wonderful increase in the work of this department. The library was closed for two months on account of the epidemic so that issues for the four months only have to be recorded. During this period over 00(H) volumes have been taken out for home reading, and there have been many hundreds of books used in the room at the tables provided. Over one thousand boys and gilds have become members and now it is not possible to accept any more borrowers until the stock of books is largely increased. Quite two thousand more books are required to satisfy the demand. The ‘story hour lia.s been introduced as a means ot inducing the children to In-some constant readers. The telling oi stories on .'Saturday mornings at the children s library. by several Indie- and gentlemen, has proved vrn jHquilar. the average attendance being eighty-live boys ami r.dils." It something on similar lines, could lie achieved in Hokitika, it would b- a line tiling for the rising generation. The Library Committee width ka- this matter in hand should strive to achieve a result no less advantageous to the rising youth of the town, by giving them a taste for good healthy literature and familiarity with the best stories.

Sv.mcatiiv must be expressed with a large number of people in ( anterbury, who in. their earnestness to do honor to those who made the supreme sai riliie in the Cleat War. desired to rear a memorial column to their memory in Cathedral Square, the centre ot the City of Christchurch. Although a large sum of money was subscribed, and the plan prepared for a stately monument, a silent pillar to call attention always to the debt, the living owe to the dead, successive city Councils have refused permission to erect the monument where the subscribers desire. 'I be site is undoubtedly the “best” in Christehuch, in the sense that it is the most prominent, and where it will lie most in view. It. will serve its purpose best where it is most to be- seen, and observed. Yet it would appear the “best” site is not good enough for so worthy a memorial. So tar Canterbury is content with a utilitarian bridge for any and all traffic. It. is conspicuous to some extent, but it is not a worthy memorial as such, seeing that it was built to save rates, and in that circumstance becomes rather a makeshift memorial. The promoters of the Column now propose to rear a small cross, within the precincts of Christchurch Calhcdral grounds in the Square, and place a suitable inscription upon it. If that, should could to pass surclv Canterbury will look more ridiculous than ever in its failure to do true honor tit those who tell, by a memorial in something more than a name.