PALMERSTON READING ROOM.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 34, 12 April 1879, Page 2

PALMERSTON READING ROOM.

The usual monthly meeting of the. Committee, was held on Tuesday evening, -y?hen t^era were present — Messxs. Coleman (i^ the ciia^irj, Mitford, Green, Leary, and GaJLv^n. M*. Leary, on hphalf of ; t!ie, sub-comini^tee appointed at the last meeting, stated that an order had been gi^en ip Mr. Yefln foy a b,ook-oasa, Tyhich \vas no\\r completed, t^nd •wio.uld be ready for use'in a few days, Jt about four feet m height by_ eight feejt m length. He, also seated that tli'e E^on. Secrat : a^y of- the Wejlington 'Athenfgut^ fi^r. H. F. Logan, had beeq w^itfce'a to, m accordance with a suggestion mqcle by Mr. o:4?^°. asking Tjvhefh'er. the * Wellington Athenaeum would be willing to lend' books to the Reading Room at a. rental ; but no rep,ly had been "eci3ived> Afjp. Qreen stated that Mr. Qalvin and Him,self had not been to devote much tjima. to the work of canvassing for subisoribers, but they had fyeen vary Buccas«ful, considering the short time they had given to it. Abput ten more subsoribe.rs had been^ added to the institution. " There would be about £7Q,' he thouglit, on the. list, including the $20 dpnatton from the. Borough . ftquncil ; and a little more exertion w,ofl,ld on^y be required to bring it up to £100. %, thought that tKd. Beading Room should be formed into a Public Library, m order that they be able to claim a share of- the. sum voted, annually, fyy Parliament for Bublie Libraries. The committee concurred m the suggestion made, but thought' it* better to leave, it to the general body of; the m,ember3 to say which, way the matter shpi^d ba depided, it being generally understood that & special meeting would be N called m a fe,w weeks. The Chairman thought tha( more publicity should be given as to what was being done, m order that the. progress which, was being made sho.uld be. known, to the general public a's much as possible. He suggested that the Wanganui Institute shoujd be written, to, as. they might be^ able to afford some assistance. It was decided to leave the matter m the h,ands of. Mr. Colen^an, as he was personally known 'to most of the, committee of > that institution. It was re-' solvei, on the motion of My, Greenj seconded by Mr. Qalyin, that the suib-cotnTtuttee^er viously appointed Messrs. Leary, Dungan, and. Wray— be. empowered .to pu^cliase, books to the value of £30; the name. of. Mr, Mitford, the. Hon. secretary, Being added to tbe Bub-6omin\ittee. ,V^itb. xegaxd to 'the Lihrarian, Mr. Mitford said that ha had spoken to Mr. Lockie m reference^ to the, idea which tha members of Committee, hi^d' of- making the Reading R,odm.a t'ablic Library, and the eon,sec(uent necessity' of\ having the Librarian, at some ' convenient^ place near the building, Mr Lociie would not be able, nor co,uld he b[e expected, tr> be preanb during the day', and that gentleman would be glad to give way as soon as .they could find any suitable person. He had also seen Mr Sales, who said h» would be. happy' to undertake the duties, as lie was m tbe b',uildmg the.greater portion of the day, and cbuld take His books there m, the evening . when he. had. wprk^ to dp. The committee thought the statement a very satisfactory one.' Mr k Galviu, said he, regretted ha was upable.to deyo%any more time to canvassingVas'he v'er.y .busy just now, and Mr. i Coleman promised* Ip cb -operate, with Mr. ;(%een' TheHpn. secretary was empowered to' get 100 circular* Sprinted for. outside distribution, setting fpj;tli what was being done, and also ablp'ckrwe|ptb.ook,of 100 tickets for^ subscribers! Accounts, ampuntidg to £1 17s. were passed for pftyment^ a biß forsJ.6 having also been met the previous' week. '