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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4506, 30 August 1875, Page 4

There is a matter in connection with the abolition of Provincialism which has not yet been taken notice of, but which would not be the least agreeable concomitant of the passing away of an effete system. Each large town in this colony (we have in reality no city claiming a right to be capital from its size) is destitute of a free public libx - ary and readingroom. Each Provincial Council has appended to it a library, in two instances, at least, of rather rare excellence. The Provincial Council libraries of Auckland and Wellington are more than respectable, they are made up from the best class of literature. Those of Canterbury and Otago are, in the former case respectable, and in the latter, though below mediocrity, still sufficient for certain purposes. Now, we believe that one of the most xiseful secondary effects of abolition would be to render the libraries we have named available, to the public free, and thus place within their reach such a boon (comparatively speaking) as is afforded by the "Melbourne Public Library. It would be-mere superfluity to enlarge on what is an admitted fact, the utility of free libraries. It is quite sufficient to point out a way in which, under any circumstances, the nucleus of a library may be acquired, to which it will be easy to make additions. In the case of Auckland the accomplishment of the object we have set forth would be much simplified by a few alterations in a Bill now before the Legislature. The Auckland Institute is getting an Act to enable its members and the public to provide for it and its Museum a suitable building. It would be well if the Bill could be so added to as to enable.the Institute to acquire the Provincial Council Library on condition of their deVoting it and their own collection of books to the purposes of a free public library.