PATEA INSTITUTE.

Patea Mail, 14 April 1882, Page 4

PATEA INSTITUTE.

NEW SCHEME OF WORKING.

FTIHE newly elected Committee, desire to. 1 place before Snbscx'ibers and. tHe Reacting Public a programme of improvements to be carried out by public co-operation. It being manifest that the Institute bakbeeri latterly in a languishing condition, an earnest effort is now being made to enlist public assistance and sympathy -for increasing the use arid attractions of the: Institute, and making'it : really worthy of the district. ■ Finances. • The present debt on the building is £256, requiring an annua!interest of £25. There is also a current indebtedness of about £(TB. The committee are satisfied that the assets of the Institute would; if' realised, exceed the amoupt 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 committee.; The income is small and, uncertain at present, but is capable of a.large, increase, as the committee believe. , That increase appears. obfainable ? firstly, by ; popularising the Institute so as to raise the number of Sub cribers from about 75 to 156, 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 corninittee 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 ThV Committee estimate that £IOO will cover all current expenses and contingencies (apart from new books), and perhaps pay.ofl,, part of the overdraft. This will leave about £IOO available ior the purchase of new books during the, current year... ‘diafe 5 selection of new arid desirable books will be made ; and in order that the attractions of the Library may be increased withoptldelay, a portion of the firs]t\batch of;new« literature will be purchased within the' Aus- J tralian colonies, and placed in-fhe catalogue -for early issue to -members. 5 Another and more extensive - selection of new books will be obtained" from England, by the best .means of selection availableto 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. The, Library. Librariarilhas been appointed, and the committee hope thereby to secure regularity of attendance, courteous attention to 'Subscribers’, wants, besides orderly cleanliness within thb building. The subscription will be £lpef annum, as before ; payable yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly in advance! This-

payment includes rill ’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 9.30 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 i be great convenience, in : being phle . to rely [ on particular books being available to other : readers within a reasonable number of days, : while new books cannot' be in'oriopolised by' keeping them* in few hands; to the detriment’ of, other readers. ' Any restraint imposed on . individuals, by, this regulation, will, be apply . compensated -by greater convenience to the majority.' ‘' " ’ '{ 1 ” r The Reading Room. This*’Cannot- be kept open free to the publicrifter-March Ist, therd* being rib longer a subsidy from Government.! But it is intended -to popularise the,-Beading Hoorn by { fixing the subscription at {a nominal sum. equal to about a penny a week ; namely 5s - a year in advaiice, 2s 6d hffif-yearly, of Is a month, this last-rate beiiigriseful 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 tliesepolonies will be procured; and all*useful papers will he filed with regu-lafity;;i-The Heading Hoorn will be increased ins comfort, and well lighted. ! Sets of ; chess : and drafts ! will be kept for member’s' enjoyment. Winter fires will be well attended. to | so that the Heading Epom may be, a really pleasant'resbrt., Family; Tickets—Life Members. Tickets available for families will be issued; namely, a subscription of £2 will entitle to books' &c. equal to three 7 incinberships.! Life members ’ will be so created on payment of £lO. or over as a donation .to Ihe Institute.,, Donations; of books will. be ackriowledged by the committee with a vote of thanks in each case, and a grateful mention -at the annual meeting: All mew' Subscribers joining now will be charged for only half the current quarter. ; ? V - Ul ' Lectures—Debates. The committee ’ contemplate arranging for scientific and other attractive lectures to' be given in.; aidof 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 Boom may soon be 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 who may ; chops.e to attend ;as:listeners j; (prspeakers)-; will find idebates both .amusing:iari&entertaining, while their presence will be a stimulus. H. F. Christie, President. ' : :U H. B; P. Adams, Treasurer. ; * : ‘ 1 j. A. Wilkinson, Secretary. Gv D. H L. S. Tallin ; ‘ (Memhe-s of j. W. Bright ■ j Comrhittee. E. HOUGHTGN 3- ! : ' Free Advertisement.] - -