MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS TO BLUE SPUR LIBRARY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 25, 1 August 1868, Page 3

MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS TO BLUE SPUR LIBRARY.

A mating of -ralmnfUn to tht Blue IfcAror Library took place en the evening «f electing * Committee 6t Management, e*.,f©rthAemuliig'*e**; Mr. M'Lelland proposed, "That Mr. Xeppel take the chair." A discussion ensued at to whether Mr, Keppel, bong m member of Committee, wh eligible ; but the motion .was ultimately agreed to, and Mr. Keppel took the chair. ' The' Chairman said he would not detain the basinet* of the meeting by any langthy remarks, but would limit himself to a brief statement of the matters they, had met to discuss. The Library, was just emerging into the second year of its existence ; and he was sorry to say there Were comparatively few subscribers. This might, in a great measure, be at; tributed to the want of energy on the' part of the Committee, who were supposed to devote every attention to the work they had undertaken. For his own part, as a member of Committee, his time had been so fully occupied-ihat it did not Admit of his paying that attention to the interests of the Library he could have wished. However, he thought that other members of the Committee could not olaim the same pleaJ The •uceess or otherwise of the Library . rested entirely With the public. If it gamed popularity, success was certain ; but there had been 00 opportunity of knowing what amount of benefit had been derived, or what was the general feeling-towards the institution, on account of the Committee having net so seldom during, their .tenure /of office. They might consider the books At present in their possession too dry and heavy, and not sufficiently wterspersed with lighter works. For his part, he would willingly pay his -subscription for tbo use of one or two of the volumes alone which he could find amongst, the number ; but it would devolve on the new committee to seriously consider their various requirements, arid act accordingly. He would call upon -the Secretary to address the meeting. ' The Secretary (Mr. W, M'Lelland) •aid; they had bean in debt to the amount •f £10, the paying off of which had, of course, hampered their efforts consider* ably. " Had they a similar amount in hand, together with the Government subsidy, it would enable them to make V handsome addition to* their present list of books. He pointed out the exact position in which they stood ; and •aid although the affairs of the library were not as he would like to see them, •1111, he .trusted it was pregnant with good, and that ere long it would prove a benefit to themselves and a profit to the community at large. The Chairman called upon the Treasurer (Mr: W. Ledingham) ,who said there ■was .little more to add to what the;Secretery had already- stated. He thought that if a little exertion were exercised, there would be no. fear />f success; and Jhat they would soon be in a prosperous condition. He would not detain them, ' but would .simply 1 express a hope that the Jibrary would prove a success, • ; , c, ; Mr.: Cormack , said, considering the had ,«neouate<e4 r he the Committee could not have done much better; and if the public Would, only, come forward with,, thai* enAouraging assistance, all would, be well. ht would suggest- the, advisability of jetting up lectures and 'other entertainments for tfye benefit of the funds, which •ould he easily managed, and with great profit. ■ ' > " ' -~- The~Chairman invited, the gentlemen present/to give expression to their views «n the atatter. ~ Ml. Cariyjsaid if a " swindle^rich as Mr. M'Cormack suggested, -was got up; - he had no doubt it would take very well. 1 The were in want of ftmds-for the pur•base of fresh books, and he saw no difficulty in getting up a local entertainmemt tot mm object; ' tv • : Mr. Thomson said he had. two y.elsl "of "libndbn Life;" which onlyreqtiired *%i»dn^,' and which^if' the Committee - accept, he would have giea&'pleai fare in offering. - ; < 4, . . , / : The Secretary thought Mr. Thomson's flffer was a very handsome one, and should be accepted with the same spirit in which it was made. TH« Chairman said they had heard the Aecrcivyfr 'report for that year';, and Although they might consider itumsati*. factory, still, he trusted -to see an mv yroyement. during next year, Mr. M'Lelfand'for the past year* 'had acted as S Idbrariabk an4'Secr«iaryP with greafe satisfaction and credit,;, and he thought jtney •hould in some, inanneir recompense Him. for hii time and Wuble. He had heard A suggestion from one df v the speakers. : "«elative to an entertainment in aid of the ' funds-, -with- which he- did-~aot- -entirely . 'eoncnr '^but if fliey didlgefcfep a.^swindle'' —to use a colonial phrase — let it be done fa* right manner, so that there woul^d be no fear of failure. He thought if members would subscribe for the year it wouljd be much better. The. jubucnption (10s;) was a mere trifle, and he Was Surprised that a much larger^ numbpr did not join, them. One thing was certain, they wanted , A fresh supply of books ; and he trusted an effort would-be made to supply the wanjy Being onp of th^ Committee about to retire,, he wou]4 not occupy any more of their time. Several gentlemen were proposed as )nen£ers~Qf. lihe t^f ComiMttee; andja -4iscuiuion*arose as to 'whether lit wMjder •irable, to y elect so large a committed as the onejusi retired, namely^ nine members. It was ultimately agreed thaftthe* number shoulof be the same as previously, which number wee-accordingly elected. \ r Mr. Cormack,! in •* eomjpumeo,t|tffy address, proposed :« yo^p, of thanks ; 'tb the letiring Committee; which, was carried ' unanimously. ■.• -„,. • .-, j For-theenstting^ear Mr. Cormaek-wjas eJeetedi [Chairman of : Commijiee ; Mr. M'Lelland, Secretary ; and Mr. Lf&dingham, Treasmrer. -">.-'* \ „ Mr. then took the chair, and - seid he trusted 4hey-would sup^ori him ■ during the coming year in •ndeay r oring,to further the interests arid extend the, limits, of . the, library, end. increase tfre 1 ' ~Mper some further conversation, Ht was Agreed .that the, meeting should adjoqW „tslLTue»day evening last, to .take iiitb Aensideration the advisability of. having catalogues, mew.books, Ac. :, : •- : - H '<s»vfIWWl-iw i fpa^nw^ •,-',, f { , Ait 1-tl *