THE TEMUKA MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1355, 20 June 1885, Page 2

THE TEMUKA MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— The statements made by Dr Hayes at the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute Committee meeting, on Friday last, if correctly reported, would justify anyone in believing that I had acted towards Dr Hayes and Mr Hargreaves in a manner that deserved censure. 1 trust, therefore, you will, with your usual kindness, insert my version of affairs. Dr Hayes stated that I took away the light when he came to take s'ock.—The fact is, when Dr Hayes and Messrs Hargreaves and Haines came I went into the Library with a candle to light the lamp, and found the lamp required refilling and trimming. This being done, the lamp was relighted, and, there being no further need for the candle, I returned it to the kitchen. Dr Hayes’ remark would lead one to. think that they had to take stock by the light of the moon alone. Dr Hayes complained that I accused him of tolling a falsehood—At the Committee meeting previous to (he last, Dr Hayes, although he had been distinctly informed a few days before that I never had a copy of the agreement, told the Committee that he believed I had, consequently leading them to consider that I was withholding it to serve purposes of my own. As it was owing to this that the resolution was passed giving me a month’s notice, I think that all reasonable men will allow that the doctor laid himself open to the accusation of wilful falsehood when he afterwards asked me if I had a copy of the agreement. The fact of his again asking showed that he did not believe he had been told the truth before, which he had no right to assume. As to the number of books (45) reported not traceable. —This is due to the faulty and slipshod way in which stocktaking was carried out. One of the issue books was never gone through, although I drew Dr Hayes’ attention to the omission. Having every reason to consider that the Sub-Committee would endeavor to bring up as unfavorable a report as possible, 1 took stock on my own account, keeping a record of the result, from which 1 am able to prove that there are not 10 books untraceable. This small number of lost books, I flatter myself, is very creditable after seven years’ service, when it is further remembered that subscribers are allowed to go to the shelves and select books themselves.

Dr Hayes has spread a report that I had taken stock myself on the occasion when the vote of thanks was accorded to me, and that it was passed on my report.—l am truly sorry for Dr Hayes ; his memory is in a pitiable state, Messrs O’Halloran and Aspinall took stock on that occasion. Whilst it was going on I never entered the Library.

Your report states that I asked Ur Hayes to go away the night of stocktaking on account of the illness of Mrs Bolton, and that the Doctor refused.— The report is correct so far as it goe*, but I would like to add that it was 10.30 p.m. -when I asked him to leave— half-an*hour after closing time. Dr Hayes states that. I was supplied with a copy of the list of missing books, and I had neglected to give any explanation. —When I had taken stock I told Dr Hayes and Mr Hargreaves that if they liked I would compare my list with theirs, and show them where the books had gone, telling them at the same time, that I was quite certain they could not render a correct return unless this was done. My offer was not accepted, and I was never afterwards asked to give any explanation re the missing books. Dr Hayes further complains that although i was asked to leave books on the table as they came in I mixed them up with the books on the shelves.—The first night, as they did not finish, I was told to keep the books on the table for the next night. The next night Dr Hayes and Mr Hargreaves came and finished stocktaking, and they did not again enter the Library. Concluding that stocktaking had after some days the books were placed on the shelves, and more than a fortnight had elapsed before Dr Hayes even said a word leading me to think that he wanted them to remain on the table. ,

If Dr Hayes is unable to show that what I have here v/ritten is but the plain unvarnished truth, I hope he will have the manliness to apologise and confess that he made incorrect statements to the Committee to serve private ends of his own, or private ends of others.—l am, etc., Geo. Bolton. Tom uka, Juno 19, 1885.