The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 781, 1 April 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1879.

An advertisement in this evening’s paper notifies the fact that a special meeting of the members of the Kumara Literary Institute will be held in the Society’s Rooms, to-morrow (Wednesday) evening. We wish to call particular attention to this announcement, as in every sense it is an important one. .For a considerable time past the financial affairs of the Institute have, in common with those of many other public bodies, been in a very critical state ; in fact, the meeting now summoned is called to decide whether or not the Society is to terminate its existence.

The question seems to us a very serious one. As a community we are in a very isolated position. Rounded on the west by the ocean, and by the mountain ranges in the east, we are almost entirely cut off from the more favored spots of New Zealand. Rarely does the visit of a stranger from the outside world relieve the monotony of our existence. Rarely do we by word of mouth receive information of the doings of other provincial districts. The inevitable tendency ot such seclusion is apparent. A small isolated community is almost sure to become a selfish one. It grows to have no thoughts outside ifself. Its little interests and its little wants gradually absorb all its sympathies. The generous patriotic regard for the wdiare of the country at large becomes less and less perceptible. And as such a community becomes a selfish one, so aiso it grows narrow-minded. •The conllict of different opinions, the mingling of many minds; it is this that gives birth to comprehensiveness and breadth of thought. Separated from all such intercourse, a community must naturally degenerate into that narrowness of mind which is unhappily

so common. But there is an escape from these (Ungers. The Press may wean us from , our isolation ; newspapers record for us ; the doings ot other countiics; books ; •'•‘Cord the opinions of orher men. . V, Idle we have these, we form a living ; l ,:ur of that woild from which without tliem we are cut otf. And therefore it s o.iis t • us that it will bo a m .tter of i .-oai ri-.p-ei .t the tv.i.o t Literarv

Institute is closed. If its finances are placed upon a satisfactory footing, a library will soon be in course of formation. But the Society cannot continue with the very limited support now given it. At present there are but 50 subscribers. If this number lie increased to 75, existence will still be possible. We cannot help thinking that 25 additional subscribers may be found in the district. If so, we trust that they will come forward at once, as the meeting to-morrow is to decide the question of life or death. We understand that all intending, as well as actual, members will be welcomed at the meeting. We confess we have some hope that these remarks will have their effect, and that a more favorable future is in store for the Institute.