PATEA INSTITUTE.

Patea Mail, 18 April 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 out by public co-operation. It being manifest that the Institute has been latterly in a languishing condition, ah earnest effort is now being made to enlist public assistance and sympathy for increasing the use; and attractions of the Institute; and making if really worthy of the district. Finances. 1 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, t building untouched at present, it is decided to wipe off the, current liability of £6B by obtaining a bank overdraft seemed on the joint and several undertaking of the committee. The income is small and un ? certain 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 <>j 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 £!200 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 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 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 ; and tire 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. A new Librarian has been appointed, and the committee hope thereby to secure regularity of attendance, courteous attention to Subscribers’ wants, besides orderly Cleanliness within the building. : Tire 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 : 9.30 evenings. To ensure system and order in the issue of books, r :it will bci necessary to : enforce fines for keeping books beyond the 'specified time for reading. The prompt rettnh of books being thus secured, there will : be gteat convenience in 'being Able'' to rely : on particular books being available to other readers within a reasonable’ number of days, while mew 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 &fter { March' Ist, there being no longer a subsidy ; from Government. But it 1 is intended to popularise the Reading ’ Room by fixing , the subscriptionat n nominal.; sum equal to about a penny a week,} namely ,6s 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 t , book. Additional papers from the phief centres of population in these colonies will be procured j 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 Subscrioers 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 aidof■ the Institute fumls. Members will be entitled, to admission,for,a nominal sum, aiid the public at a higher fate. 'lt is hoped that a suitable Lecture Room may sppn : bc added to the institute/while sdme other hall can be used in the meantimes. 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. Christie, President. H. E. P. .Adams, Treasurer., j. A. Wilkinson,' Secretary. G. D. Hameeton], S. Taplin ( Membe s of j. W; Bright j Committee. B. Houghton ] Free Advertisement.]