A FREE LIBRARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5404, 23 July 1878, Page 3

A FREE LIBRARY.

Yesterday a deputation from the Wellington Working Hen’s Club waited upon the Premier to request that the old provincial library might be given or lent to the club. ’Che deputation consisted o£ Mr. P. Galvin (president), Mr. W. Hutchison (trustee), and Messrs. W. 11. Watson, Boulden, and Jennings. • Mr. Galvin said he would be prepared to give the Premier any information as to the of the club, wliich he might require, and the objects of the deputation would be stated by other members. Mr. Watson expressed much pleasure at having learnt that the Government did not think it advisable to divide the library. He referred to negotiations of the club with the City Council respecting the leasing of the Market Hall, and said if that building had been obtained the ground floor would have been used as a free library. The negotiations failed, but though foiled in that direction the club’s resources had not failed them. In the present building they had two large rooms, one of which would be used as a reading-room and library, and the other as a class and committee room. They thus had ample accommodation for the library, which would bo free to the public under certain regulations. If the Government did not think proper to make a gift to the club, the committee would take over the library and be responsible for it until a free library were opened in the city. Already the club had 400 members, and they were rapidly increasing;, and as each could bring his friends the library would be almost free. Mr. Boulden said the club did not suppose that they had any claim on the Premier's consideration superior to that of any other public body or organisation in the city, but it was a fact that the working classed needed intellectual culture, and they wanted to raise themselves. If the library were conferred upon the club it would be a boon which would prove most valuable. The Athenaeum was supported by a class of people rather above the working men in the social scale. If the library were given to the club it would be a means of making them better citizens/ : If the club had the use of the library they would do their utmost to make it free. At present the club had among its members 300 bona fide working men. Their wish was to raise themselves from the position they were at present in, and if the library were conferred upon the club, it would bo a means of raising its members, and of enhancing the welfare of the community at large. Sir Geobgb Gbet thought What the club had done to get a free library was most excellent, and entitled it to every consideration. With regard to the desire of the working men, and the necessity as they thought, that they should raise themselves in intellectual culture,hebelieved that necessity pressed justas much upon every other "class of the community, and when they had lived to the age he had they would find that they had done but very little in learning what they had learnt. It was useful to oil-to get the means of increasing their knowledge, . While stating that the Government were not prepared tq decide the; question at present, his own belief was that the time had come when Wellington should have a large public library, not such a thing ad the provincial library was, which would be a mere seed sown—simply a beginning. It would be quite possible, if the citizens of Wellington bestirred themselves, that ’a great public library should be called into existence —one something after the plan of the British Museum. There was the provincial library and the Provincial Council Hall, which would make a most admirable reading-room, and he had no doubt that qat of the provincial buildings rooms for an admirable public library might be obtained, Ho had stated his views against any disposal of the library being instantaneously carried out until be had ascertained whether tho people of Wellington were really desirous that a great public library should be founded here. Now was the time to do it, for they hail a nucleus; they had the building and also books to begin with. , A large number of gentlemen had told him that if such an institution were started they would contribute a considerable number of works to a. great library of that kind. It would bo to the interest of every'class to get such a library established in this city; They had one’in'Melbourne, they were 'just beginning one in Sydney, and at tho Cape of Good Hope there was a magnificent libraryone of the finest in the world; a He did not see why Wellington should be behind any of those places, and until he had tried what public feeling was upon this point, he did not like to make any promise about the books, or to bind tho Government in regard to them ;— all had better try to establish one great library in the city ,; but if 'that failed,’ he would see that the claims of the Working Men’s Club, whatever they might be, were considered with other claims that might turn up. Mr. Watson thought the Working Men’s Club would agree that this course would be the best. . *

Sir Geobqb Gbey would give ns an example of a free library that at Liverpool, in which be had been.' In that city there were large foundries, ijirgo factories, and large establishments of ey6ry kind,’ in which 1 an immense number of boys were' employed. In the library there was one largo hall full of amusing and instructive books, and boys were allowed tq take .their dinners there to cat. He bad been there day after day, and had seen hum dreds of boys with bocks on tlio (lesks before

them reading the whole time, while they eat their dinners off their laps. That was but one part of a really magnificent institution, and it would be an invaluable thing if the city could have a free public library of that kind. Reading rooms iu it were open at night, which working men visited, thus having no temptation to go into public-houses, for the rooms were well lighted, warm, and everything was provided to improve their intellects aud increase their knowledge. Little fellows twelve and'thirteen years of age used to fill the boys’ hall during the leisure hour as close as tjiey could he crammed. It would be best for their common interests that all should work for some establishment of that kind. Mr. Hutchison thought there was one little argument which was of some effect iu this case. They were all delighted to hear the intimation tho Premier had given that the Provincial Hall should be turned to so good an account; but in the meantime the provincial library was getting small by degrees. Sir George Grey believed that it was looked up ; at least he had given orders that it should be done.

Mr. Hutchison said it was always understood to lie locked until some ono went for a book, but somehow or other the books had got very small in number. Sir G. Grey would see that fresh precautions were taken, as far as it could be done. Mr. Hutchison held it to be highly gratifying to hear Sir G. Grey shadow forth such a scheme, and he was sure if the Premier took it up the city would soon have something of the kind.

.Mr. Galvin said the deputation would much rather have tho public library, but they had been of opinionthatif the provincial library were tobo divided tjie Working Men’s Club had a claim as much as anybody else. They would join very heartily in establishing a free library. The deputation thanked Sir George Grey for the interest he had taken in the matter, and withdrew.