Conversazione at Rahotu.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 64, 19 March 1904, Page 2

Conversazione at Rahotu.

OI'ENTNC 01-' I'UBLIC LIBRARY, (from our eorivs] dent). This occurred on W'ednesday and went, oil' with g. al satisfaction. The chairman of Hie librarv committee, Rev. .John 11. White, presided, and gave an excellent address. lie said all should have acquaintance, with tile master minds of literature. First of all came English authors like Shakespeare, Milton, .Itunyan. Macuuhi.v, Tennyson, Itiiskin, Curlyle, Scott, Dickens, Thackeray, (leo. Eliot, Charlotte Bronte, Mrs' Wood, and Mrs Humphrey Ward, etc. Of oilier lands he would mention one French name whose works read even in translation would be always illustrious—Victor Hugo. His "Lcs Miserablcs" was in the library and would richly recompense perusal. Then if they wanted a book not too quickly finished let him recommend "The Wandering Jew" ; if mirth "Valentine ix" ; and if ladies wanted to know how to talk to their husbands why "Mrs Caudle's Curtain 'fjeetures" were there to teach them how. They hud that day learned, he was glad to announce, that they participated in the Colonial Library grant this year to the extent of £f> 19s 3d. Miss Ilonnn, he said, deserved praise for securing so many subscribers ; Mr Smith constructed the book-case without charge ; Mr Campbell rendered invnltmble service «s honorary librarian and treasurer • and the secretary, Mr T. W'illcox, deserved honourable mention. The committee worked with a will, and he was sure it was a great pleasure to all present that they opened under such happy auspices. The programme consisted of song's by Mrs Wright, Mrs Campbell, Mr Smith, and Mr Willcox ; the last named also gave a recitation, Mr Campbell a reading, and Miss White an organ solo. Selections were also rendered by Mr Grown on his gramaphone. Refreshments, inspection of books, and first issue to subscribers concluded the proceedings. T?he anouul subscription is os.