PATEA INSTITUTE.

Patea Mail, 31 March 1882, Page 4

PATEA INSTITUTE .

NEW SCHEME OF WORKING.

THE newly elected' Committee desire to place before Subscribers and the Reading Public a programme of improvements to be carried but 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, ithe .use ’and attractions of the Institute, and making it really worthy of the district. Finances. The present debt on 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 realised, exceed the amount * of liabilities ; and while leaving the debt on, building, untouched at present, it is decided to wipe off the current liability of £6B by obtaining a bank overdraft secured bn 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 believe.; That increase appears obtainable, .firstly, ,by popularising the Institute so as to raise the number of Subscribers from about 75 to 15.), and probably much more; secondly, by public entertainments'and lectures to-be given in aid of ..Institute,funds;;, and thirdly bydonations and life-memberships/ The committee estimate that from these several sources a total income of £2OO in the first year may be assured. - They arc 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 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 (apart Trom "new hooks), and perhaps pay off part of the overdraft. - This will leave'about £IOO available ; fbr - ; the purchase of new books., during the, current year. An. immediate selection of new,and.desirable books will be made ; and in order that the attractions of tlie Library may be increased without delay, a portion of the first batch of new literature will be purchased within' the Arts-’ tralian colonies, 'and 1 placed in' the' catalogue' for- early : issue to' members. ; Another and' more 1 extensive' selection of new books will b4 -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; and the 'committee 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. " ; ' ‘ . . \ . . . . . ; TM Library.' 1 ; A new Librarian has beeh appointed, and the,.committee, hope thereby to secure regularity of attendance, courteous attention!,to Subscribers’ wants, besides orderly cleanliness within the building. The subscription will, be £1 per annuih; as before; payable yearly," half-yearly, or quarterly in advance. This

payment includes all conveniences of the Institute. The Librarian will be in attendance on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and from 3 to 6 o’clock afternoons, and 7 to 9.30 evenings, i To ensure system and order in,the issue of books, it will be.necessary to erifoi'ce fines for keeping books, beyond the specified time for reading. Tire 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 Room. This cannot ■be kept open free to the public after March Ist; there being no longer a subsidy from. Government. But it is; intended to popularise the Reading Room by ; fixing the subscription at a nominal , sum equal to about a penny a week.; namely. 5s a year in advance, 2s 6d half-yearly, or Is a month, this last rate beinguseful to visitors. Any Member may introduce a friend for one week, by entering name in visitor’s book. Additional papers from* the chief centres cf population in these colonies will be procured; and all useful papers will be filed with regularity. The Reading -Boom will be increased in comfort, and well lighted.,, Sets of, chess ‘ arid drafts wiU'be kept for member’s erijoy,iheht. Winter fires' will be well attended to. so that the Reading Room may be a really pleasant resort. . - : Family Tickets—Lifd Memllers. Tickets available for families, will be issued ; namely, -a subscription:: of £2=trill entitle, to books &c. : equal to three memberships, 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 thanks in each case, and a grateful .mention, at tlie annual meeting. All new Subscribers joining now will be charged for* only half the current quarter. Lectiires=Hl)^bates. The committee contemplate arranging for scientific and other attractive lectures to be given in aid of the Institute funds. Members will be entitled to admission for a nominal sum, and the public at a higher rate. It is hoped that a ,suitable Lecture Room may soon he added to the Institute, while, some other hall can be used in the meantime. Debates will also be promoted inJconnection with the Institutearid ladies who may choose to attend as ilisteners- (or speakers) will find . debates both amusing and entertaining, while their - presence will be a stimulus. ;; ;! H. F. Cheistie, President./ H.E. P. Adams, Treasurer. 1 J. A. Wilkinson, Secretary. ' G. D. Hameeton'l 8. Taplin ;, I Membe sof J. W. Bright (Committee. E. Hoitghtoa ; Free Advertisement.] .