NEW PLYMOUTH LIBRARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1920, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH LIBRARY.

A FORWARD MOVEMENT. V SATURDAY'S APPEAL. * Those who are interested in the control and management of the Carnegie Institute, which includes the public library, museum, and a room for the accommodation of documents and other things relating to the early history of the province and the settlement of the district, aro to be commended on the step they have taken with a view to bringing this institution more into line with similar institutions in other centres. There has "been a strong feeling on the part of some of the members of the Institute Committee, as well as amongst private citizens, that a good deal could be done to popularise the library and make the ■*•' - concern a more attractive feat*... -» the town's advantages. This, of course, means the expenditure of a considerable sum of money, and a crusade has been commenced for this purpose, which will culminate in a Mart Day in New Plymouth on Saturday, next. The immediate object of the Committee is to improve the reference library, both as to its utility and its accommodation. It is proposed to move it from its present position to another room in the building, and also to make a much better magazine reading room and a children's department. There is also the need, which must be met, fof properly housing 'the many documents unit interesting relics associated with flic early settlement of the province, M nicli are being donated to the authority. These can never form a very Impressive collection unlsss they are suitably displayed. Pride in their forebears, and in the history of the district, should prompt the citizens of New Plymouth, and also districts further afield, to see that the relics which witness to the heroic courage and noble endurance of the pioneers of the province should be safely and suitably exhibited', that they may be viewed by the growing generations of this province and also by visitors from abroßd, and be an incentive to fidelity to the land of our birth or adoption, and an inspiration to public spiritedness. For all these objects suitable gifts are solicited by the Committee, and those who have nothing to give which could be included in any section of the library or museum may help by giving that which can be turned into money with which the requisites to make the institute a thoroughly modern and useful one can be secured. The Mayoress (Mrs. James Clarke) has taken the mattor up very enthusiastically and is being loyally supported by a strong committee of women who are working energetically to ensure that the effort shall be a success- The Mart on Saturday will be worked principally from the shop in Devon Street lately occupied by Moral Bros., as fruiterers, near the Grand Central corner, which has been generously placed at the disposal of the Mayoress by Mr. Hart. There will also be street stalls, and a strong and urgent appeal is issued for contributions to any of these. Gifts of produce, fruit, vegetables, hooks, plain and fancy work, sweets and flowers, cakes and cooked f<)od?, or any other articles of a miscellaneous nature for the "White Ele- j pliant" Stall will be gratefully accepted and may be left any time at the library in King street. In addition to all these means for raising money there is also the art union of water color sketches donated by Mr. John Ba'illie (librarian), for which tickets are on sale in the booksellers' shops.

LIST or DONATIONS. The following donations have been received to date:— £ s. d. Jas, ClaTka l 1 0 W. and A. Ambury .. ......... 1 0 0 . Johnstone and Crocker 1 1 0 A. Brooker 10 0 C. Ward 1 1 0 Percy Webster 1 0 0 ,1. J. Lomas ...» 10 6 McEwen, Bros. 10 C A. Keig 10 0 Thos. Avery 10 0 J. CoTrlgall 10 0 J.P. and Co 8 A Red Post Co. 1 1 0 \V. Nixon 10 0 D. Hutchen 10 0 A. Bewley 10 0 Weston and Billing 1 1 0 Koy and Nicholson 1 1 9 Garnham 10 0 Regal 5 0 K. Hannah and' Co., Ltd 10 6 R. C. Hughes . 10 6 Val Duff 1 0 0 W. Nash 10 f. L. A. Nolan and Co 10 0 E. Da.vies 7 0 Friend 5 0 Mrs. Cocker 5 0 Mrs. L. Moore 10 6 J. R. Crulckahanik 10 0 A. R. Standlsh 10 0 Melbourne Clothing Co 110 Jas. Morey 10 6 Jas. McLeod * 110