Page 4 Advertisements Column 6

Patea Mail, 22 April 1882, Page 4

PA TEA INSTITUTE. NEW SCHEME OP WORKING. THE newly elected Committee desire to place before Subscribers and the Heading Public a programme of improvements to be carried out by public co-operation. It being manifest that the Institute lias 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 £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 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 . obtainable,, firstly, by popularising the Institute so as to raise the ; number of Sub cribers from about J5 to 155, : 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 i a total income of £2OO in the first year may be assured. They are confident that,iwith 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 arid contingencies (apart from new books), arid 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 pf new literature will be purchased within the Australian colonies, and placed in the catalpgue for early issue to members. Another and more extensive selection of new books will be obtained from Englarid, by the best means of selection available to the committee. Other batches of new books will be procured from: time •to time; and - the cornmittee will in this matter aim at a policy of judicious liberality im 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 atterition to Subscribers’ wants, 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 wall be in attendance on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 3 to 6 o’clock afternoons, arid 7 to 9.30 evenings. To ensure system arid order in the issue of books, it will be necessaxy to enforce fines for keeping books beyond the specified time for reading. The prompt return of books being thus seemed, there wall be great convenience in beitig able to Tely : on. particular books beitig 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. - V 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 Beading Eoom 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 tovisitors. Any Member may introduce; a ! friend for one week, by entering- name ini . visitor’s hook. 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 Eoom will be increased iri comfort, and well lighted. ; Sets of chess and drafts will be kept for member’s enjoyment. Winter fires will he well attended to ( go that the' Beading Eoorii 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 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 thanks in each case, and a grateful mention at the annual meeting. All new Subscribers j curing now rwijiJJ&e only half the current quarter. Lectures—Debated.' The committee contemplate arranging for scientific and other attractive lectures to be given of the Institute fuilds, Members will be entitled ( to admission for a nominal sum,' and ’'the public 'at a'higbbf irate;' It is hoped that a suitable Lecture Eoom may soon bei tuUtedl tolthfe Institute*, while yome 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 listeriers (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. Hamerxon S. Taplin j. W. Bright E. Houghton Free Advertisement.] Membeis of Committee.