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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 29, 8 February 1879, Page 2

At a recent meeting of the members of the Palmerston "Reading Boom it was determined that renewed efforts should be made to place the institution upon a firm and permanent basis, and it was resolved to appeal to the public for support m this very laudable movement. In reviewing the progress made during the last twelve months, we think the Committee may fairly congratulate themselves upon the result, the institution having now attained a position which fully warrants it m asking the hearty, co-operation of the 1 outside public. At the commencement of last year there were neither books nor furniture ; now there is a regular supply of the latest English, foreign, and intercolonial papers and magazines, the room has been furnished with every convenience, chess and draughts have been provided, and no effort spared to make it, what it purports, to be— a place where members cau spend their leisure hours witti either instruction or amusement. We regret to say, however; that hitherto the work has been up-hill, and the few who have been engaged m it have by no means met with the assistance to which they were entitled. Still, m the face of the difficulties and drawbacks encountered, the Club was some £30 better at the end, than it was m the commencement; of ia"st jear. The Committee are perfectly aware that one of the causes which militated against its advancement m the past, has been the fact that a number of persons, not being able to avail themselves of the readingroom, refrained from becoming : members, thereby, of course, curtailing its strength. This drawback has been admitted, but m order to extend if possible the list of members, it has been determined to open a library m connection with the room, from which those members who could not make use of the reading-room would be able to take books homa with and so partake of its privileges. Necessary, however, as this step is, it cannot be taken without considerable expense being m: eurred, ajid m order to undertake the liability an appeal is made to those who are not members to become so without delay. One pound per year — less than sixpence per week— is all that is asked, and certainly should not be asked m vain. In a tos& with a population such as Palmerston, a Mechanics' Institute./sUould number fully two hundred on its roll of membership, and we gincerejy trass r to se& the local readingrooms m that desirable position at the close of the year. The present is the most trying time to an institution such as ours, and the small assistance asked for should be freely and generously given. The Borough Coancil at a former sitting generously voted £20 per year upon the proviso that doable that amount was subscribed, by the townsfolk, and it is that the Committee will be m a position to prefer their claim for the subsidy that the appeal is being made. If after the hard struggle which has . been maintained during the past twelve months, and the difficulties which have been overcome, the advantage now gained were to be lost for lack of support, it would be a lasting shame upon the town. Such institutions are amongst the greatest social benefits which can be conferred upon a community, and although perhaps at the start somewhat of a drag, they never fail to be self-supporting, and very often very profitable speculations. In conclusion, then, we would ask the public to come forward generously m their support, and place the institution upon such a footing as will give those who have labored so strenuously on its behalf m the past heart and spirit to continue with renewed vigor, and make it as it ought to be — a credit to the town and a benefit to the community. So confident are we that so well are the merits of the institution recognised; that all that would be needful would be a direct appeal for assistance, and we would therefore suggest that officebearers should m|ke a canvass of the district, when we feel convinced that the list of membership would be increased four-fold. If the roli were increased to one hundred members, and even the first quarter paid for m. advance,.it would place a sumin the hands of the Committee which would provide books to form the nucleus of a library.