TURANGANUI LIBRARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 181, 12 July 1884, Page 2

TURANGANUI LIBRARY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Turanganui Library was held last night at the Library rooms. There were between twenty and thirty present. Dr. Pollen was voted to the chair, and after briefly explaining the object for which the meeting was convened, he called on the secretary to read the minutes of the last annual meeting, and the officers’ reports for the last past year. The Secretary then read the minutes also the committee’s report, and the Finance report. The former stated, that during the committee’s term of office, the usual monthly meetings had been held, and several special ones. The most important work performed was in relation to tne erection of the new building, for which a loan was successfully negotiated. The Councils becoming tenants enabled the principal and interest to be paid off within a specified term. To inaugurate the building an art exhibition was held, which had a successful run for a week, which with an Art Union, realized the sum of £74. A Government grant in connection with the same, of £5O was received in January last and £55 had been paid away for a consignment of books from London. The committee desired to convey their kindest thanks to Messrs A. C. Arthur, Whitcombs, Usher, Veale, Tucker, Teat, Keefer, Akroyd, and Sigley, who had presented the institution with books and periodicals; also Mr. G. Johnstone and Mr. D. Johnstone for donations, which with other gifts, they recognised as the necleus of a future museum. They also tendered their wannest thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had so ably assisted them, more particularly the “ Sable Orphans,” whose exertions added £lO 10s. to the funds. The number of subscribers at present were 130, as against 25 at last annual meeting, being an increase of 105. They had to mention that they had entered into an arrangement with the Gisborne Institute, to the effect that the body should erect a building on the Library section, at a cost of not less than £5O. Steps were now being taken to raise the necessary funds for that purpose. With regard to the office of librarian, in November last, numerous applications were received for the post, and Mr. Hamblett was selected, at an increased rate of pay to his predecessor. The report was duly adopted. The Finance report was read and showed a deficit of about £6O.

Considerable discussion took place on the above report, which those present considered rather unfavorable. Several suggestions were made, and it was decided to hold shilling entertainments, as soon as possible after the coming election, in order to make up the deficiency as shown in the report. Also to apply to the Borough and the County Councils for assistance on the grounds of its being for a pubiic benefit.

The next business was the election of a committee by ballot, to work the affairs of the Institution for the ensuing year. Messrs. Mogridge, Finneran, W. A. O’Meara, Warren, and George were nominated, with the members of the old committee, and the ballot resulted in the election of the following:—J. Sigley, E. H. Featon, J. Bourke, W. O'Ryau, J. Warren, and W. A. O’Meaia. Mr. DeLautour, and Sigley, still retained the position as President and Vice-President. With regard to auditors, Messrs. Finneran and George were nominated to the office, the former declining. It was agreed to apply to the Borough Council to have a lamp erected in front of the Library building. Mention was made of the Gisborne Institute, the Chairman stating that it was now favorably progressing, and would be a success. A vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing committee and to the Chairman, and the meeting terminated. Committee Meeting. After the above a meeting of the committee was held, when Mr. Featon, was re-appointed treasurer and secretary, and Mr. Hamblett librarian.