The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1884. GISBORNE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 29, 2 January 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1884. GISBORNE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

There are but few towns in the Colony of the size of Gisborne that caa lay claim to the possession of so good a Public Library as this prosperous little settlement is adorned with, and, therefore, the conclusion must be arrived at that the members of this community have a taste for something above the ordinary attractions in small colonial circles. Within the last three months the number of subscribers has been doubled, and now reaches the total of about seventy-five ; while the librarian has nearly 1000 volumes for circulation among those readers who desire to obtain the loan of books at a cheap rate. There are also a readingroom, on the table of which may be found leading periodicals, and a room provided for the accommodation of gentlemen who have an inclination to amuse themselves at chess or draughts. These attractions should certainly prove an incentive to persons to become subscribers to the institution, more especially as the low rate of charges—ss. per quarter, or 15s. per annum—must be within the reach of the great majority of the people of this district; but there are other inducements for Gisborne people to join the ranks of the members of the Library. Every subscriber has the privilege of suggesting the purchase of any book he or she may have an inclination for, and that would be procured, provided the funds permitted the Library Committee doing so ; besides which, the reading-room is open to the general public between

p,m. Truly, the Library in Gisborne is a credit to this town, and we are i glad to find that a great many new 1 members are expected to be enrolled , within a week or so. It is hardly j necessary for us to point out to intel- < ligent people the great advantage to be derived through their becoming subscribers to a good Library—they will readily comprehend the benefits to be secured by their adopting this course ; but there is a class —young men falling into larnkiiiism —that an ad.nission to such an institution would benefit materially. Very many promi ing youths congregate in the streets of an evening, to idle their time away in a senseless manner, and we would strongly urge that they should not ' lore this Chance of becoming subacriI hers to the Gisborne Library, in the I ro ms of which they would not only have an opportunity of acquiring ra ional information, but meet with su th attractions as should induce all those who are not too depraved to forsake the side-walks for a more cc.nfortable and commendable place of recreation. The Gisborne Public

Library is, we repeat, a credit to the to vn, and it is to be hoped that the hi arty support which such a very valuable institution merits will be gi-.en to it.