PATEA INSTITUTE.

Patea Mail, 28 March 1882, Page 4

PATEA INSTITUTE.

NEW SCHEME OF WORKING.

THE newly elected Committee desire to place before Subscribersand the heading Public t a programme of improvements to be carried out by public co-operation.. It being manifest that the Institute has, been latterly in a languishing condition, an earnest effort is now being made to enlist public assistance and sympathy for increasing the use and attractions of the Institute, and making it really worthy of the district, * : -

Finances. The present debt" bn the building is £250, requiring an annual interest of £25. There is also a current indebtedness of about £6B. The committee are satisfied that the assets of the Institute would, if exceed the amount of liabilities'; and while-leaving tlie debt on building untouched at present, it is decided to t -wipe off the current liability : of £6B;,by obtaining a bank overdraft secured on .the joint and several undertaking of the committee. The income is small and uncertain at present, but is capable of a large increase, as ‘the committee 1 ‘believe. That increase appears 1 obtainable, firstly, bypopularising the Institute so as to raise the numb’er of Subscribers from about 75 to 151, and probably much . more ; secondly, by public entertainments and lectures to be given in aid of Institute: funds ; and thirdly by donations and . life-memberships, ; , The committee estimate, that from these several sources ai total income of je2oo in the first year may be assured. They are confident that, with generous co-operation and no undue tax on public’ sympathy, the first year’s income, may approach £3OO. The committee’s expenditure will; however, be based on 1 the safe estimate of £2OO as the first year’s revenue. • Proposed Expenditure—New Books. The Committee estimate that £IOO will cover all current expenses and contingencies (Uparif finm and perhaps pay off part of the overdraft. This, will leave pbout £IOO available ‘ for the purchase of new books during the current year. An immediatergeledtion of newnaiid' desirable,-books will he’made f and hi the attractions of the Library may be increasedwithout delay, a portion of the first batch of pew literature will be purchased within theAristralian colonies, and placed in the catalogue for early issue to members. Another and more extensive selection of new books will be obtained from England, by the best means of selection available to the committee. Other batches of new books will be procured from time to time ; arid the: comriiittee will in this matter aim at a : policy of judicious liberality in keeping the Library supplied with the most attractive and useful literature of the day • All: tastes will-be consulted, within reasonable limits as to cost. All the best Magazines will be kept available, to readers.

The -Library. A new Librarian has. been appointed, and tlie committee hope thereby to secure regularity of attendance, courteous attention, to Subscribers’ wants, besides orderly qleanlinessi within the building. The. r be £1 per annum, as before yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly" in advance. This

payment -includes all conveniences' of The : Institute; The. Librarian will be; in attend- , ance on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and . Saturdays,, from 3 to 6 o’clock afternoons, and 7 to 9.30 evenings. To ensure system and order in the issue of books, it teill he necessaiy to' - enforce fines for keeping books beyond the r specified time for reading. The- prompt , return of books being thus secured, there will* be great convenience in being able to rely on particular books being available to other readers within a reasonable number of days, •while new books cannot be monopolised by keeping them in few hands, to: the detriment ; of other readers, . Any restraint imposed on individuals by this regulation -will be amply * compensated by greater convenience to the majority.. - ‘ *

The Reading Boom. > This , cannot, be kept open t &ee to 'the ■ public after March Ist, there being no longer • a; subsidy from Government. - But : it is intended to popularise the Beading Boom by fixing the : subscriptiori at a" nominal sum equal to about a penny a week ; nanaely 5s a year an advance, 2s 6d; half-yearly, .or Is a month, this last rate being useful to visitors, r Any Member may introduce a friend for one week, by entering name in. visitor’s l>ook. Additional papers from the chief centres' cf population in these" colonies mil be procured; ‘ and all useful papers, will be filed -with regularity.; : The Beading Boom will be increased in .comfort, and well.lighted.!. Sets of chess.., and drafts will be kept for member’s enjoyment." "Winter fires mil be well attended to ' so that 1 the Beading Boom may be a really pleasant resort. . - . • . Family Tickets—Life Members. - : Tickets available for fariiilics will be* issued fx namely, a subscription of £2 "will' ■ entitle to books &c. equal to three member-.. ships. Life members will be so created on. > payment of £lO or over as a donation to the Institute. Donations of books "will be* acknowledged by the committee with a vote of thaiiks iu each case, anda gratefulmention, ... at the annual meeting. All new Subscribers Joining now r^l ; be changed for qdjr haK the current quarter. /■ I 1 V A : The committee chritemplate'an-ahging for scientific-and other attractive lectures to be given in aid of the Institute funds. Members will be 1 entitled «to admission for a nominal suni, and the public at a highei’ rate. It fs | hoped that a suitable Lecture Boom may soon ' he added to the Institute, while some other hall can be used in the meantime. Debates will also be promoted occasionally, in connection with the Institute ; and ladies who may choose to attend as listeners (or speakers) will find ’ debates both amrising arid enteri : taming, while their presence yvill be a . stimulus. . ; H. E. Christie, President. -.. H. E. P. Adams, Treasurer. .J. A. Wilkinson, , Secretary. : ! .G. D. HAMERTbk ] , r . r ! > : S. .Taplin (. Membe s o| J. W. Height T Committee. E. Houghton } : Free Advertisement;] --