PATEA INSTITUTE.

Patea Mail, 13 April 1882, Page 3

PATEA IN STITUTE.

NEW SCHEME OP WORKING. THE newly elected Committee desire to place before Subscribers and the Reading Public 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 on the building is £250, requiring an annual interest of £25. There is also a current indebtedness of about £OB. 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 on the joint and several undertaking of the cpmmittee. 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 Sub-cribers from about 75 to 15 D, 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 a total income of £2OO 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 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 from new 7 books), and perhaps pay off part of the overdraft. This will leave about £IOO available for 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 the Library may be increased without delay, a portion of the first batch of new literature will be purchased within the Australian colonies, and placed in the catalogue for early issue to members. Another and more extensive selection of new IBooks 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; 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 w'ill be kept available to readers. The Library. A new Librarian has been appointed, and the committee hope thereby to secure regularity of attendance, courteous attention to Subscribers’ w r ants, besides orderly cleanliness within the building, The subscription will be £1 per annum, 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 Saturdays, from 3 to 6 o’clock afternoons, and 7 to 9.80 evenings. To ensure system and order in the issue of books, it will be necessary to enforce fines for keeping books beyond the 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, wdiile 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 being useful to visitors. Any Member may introduce ’ a friend for one week, by entering name in visitor’s liook. Additional papers from the chief centres of population in these colonies will be procured; and all useful papers will be filed with regularity. The Reading Room will be increased in comfort, and well lighted. Sets of chess and drafts will be kept for member’s enjoyment. Winter fires will be well attended to f so that the Reading Room may be a really pleasant resort. Family Tickets—Life Members. Tickets available for families will be issued ; namely, a subscription of £2 will 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 the annual meeting. All new Subscribers joining now will be charged for only half the current quarter. Lectures—Debates. The committee contemplate arranging for scientific and other attractive lectures to be given in aitiof 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 be added to the Institute, while some other t 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 amusing and entertaining, while their presence will be a stimulus. H. F. Chbistie, President. H. E. P. Adams, Treasurer. J. A. Wilkinson, Secretary. G, D. Hamebton] S. Taplin I Membe s of J. W. Bright [ Committee i E. Houghton j Free Advertisement.]

practical legislation in Parliament. The colony has been steadily recovering, nnder the Hall-Atkinson Ministry; and it is from the same men_ that a new Ministry should be formed. If Major Atkinson were invited to be Premier, and Mr Rolloston and Mr Bryce were to work cordially with him, a Cabinet as strong, and probably more energetic, would be formed to the colony’s satisfaction. The Governor seems to be spoiling a fair prospect by his rash personal meddling. The retiring Ministers had a programme almost

complete for laying before Parliament a

month hence. This work almost finished will be undone, and many public projects may be thrown back a year, by putting in a fresh set of men, with no plans prepared, and no definite policy shaped by

discussion in Cabinet conferences. A

change ol Ministers at the end of a ses- — sion is not a practical hindrance to work ; but a complete change at the beginning of a session is an upset and a muddle of public business. All this follows on the Governor’s mistaken interference, by refusing even to listen to constitutional advice, and by flying in the face of popular opinion.

THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO GO

The Wanganui Herald says:—We are informed on good authority that his Excellency the Governor applied some time since to be relieved from the Governorship of this colony on the ground of the unpleasantness -of his relations ■with the Ministry and the hostile tone of the Ministerial press. Our authority states that the reply of Earl Kimberley was to the effect that he (Sir Arthur) knew the high position in which he stood with the Liberal parly at Home, and that he should pay no attention to such hostile-eritieism or difference of opinion as that to which he referred. It is said the reply of the Colonial Secretary only half reconciled the sensitive Governor to his crosses. A PRECEDENT. The Auckland Herald has an angry leader on the Governor not paying any attention to Mr Hall’s advice on his resigning, and sending for M.ajor Atkinson. Governor Gordon has adopted a similar course to Governor Robinson, who paid ho attention to Sir G. Grey’s advice to send for Mr Macandrew when Sir G. Grey resigned, but sent for John Hall. The Herald also states that the policy in all departments is likely to be reversed ; administration is even now paralysed. In all probability another general election will be forced on us. A LIBERAL CONFESSION. The Wanganui Herald says: For our own part we do not believe in Sir G. Grey as the best man to be placed at the head of affairs. His weaknesses are patent, and his position in his own parly, does not bespeak a prosperous career. As an administrator he is weak, as a statesman he is vacillating, and as a colleague he is uncertain. It is only because of the extraordinary circumstances of the crisis, and that any change from the present unscrupulous combination would be desirable, that we view the action of the Governor without feelings of alarm.- A Grey Ministry will, for a time, receive its character as much from its component parts as from its head, and we cannot suppose its tenure will be long; In the meantime a change will clear the sulphurous atr mosphefe, and put the conclusion to many transactions in progress to which the interests of the people are opposed. — r ♦- LATEST POLITICAL REPORTS. (per united press association.) Wellington, this day . —The Hinemoa steamer with the Governor returning from Christchurch arrived here this morning. GOVERNOR AND. MR HALL. Wellington, afternoon.—lt is understood that the Governor will have an interview this afternoon with Mr Hall, at the ex-Premier’s residence. Wellington, later.—-It is understood

tii.it some of the Ministers have had an interview with his Excellency on official business. Nothing, however, has transpired.