Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1923. PUBLIC READING ROOM AND LIBRARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2622, 21 August 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1923. PUBLIC READING ROOM AND LIBRARY.

THE insurance money on the Council Chamber, public reading’ room and library, destroyed by fire some years ago, has been utilised for (lie re-erection of Municipal Chambers, which, admittedly, were much needed. The Council having completed this work, is morally responsible for the restoration of the public reading room and library. At present a room is being used at the Town Hall for the exchange of library books for the convenience of subscribers, but there Iho matter rests. The Mayor staled some time since that, provided he received a petition from ratepayers, he would submit a loan proposal for the erection of a public library and reading room. Surely an extraordinary proposal. When the Council decided to erect the municipal building the ratepayers were not consulted as to whether the library and reading-room should bo excluded. The Mayor, despite certain opposition by the then Council, used the insurance money for the present building without consulting the ratepayers, and should now take tlie initial steps to submit definite proposals for a loan for (lie completion of this work.