HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 71, 19 December 1896, Page 2

HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.

+ There was a meagre attendance at the public meeting, held in the Voluntcei Hall, Hamilton, last evening, for the purpose of considering the unsatisfactory position of the Hamilton Library. His Worship the Mayor.who presided, biicily explained the state of affairs. The meeting had been ca'led at the request of a large number of burgesses, ai d be was surprised that there was not a larger attendance. Some years ago when the Library was conducted by a committee of private individuals it Mas fairly successful, but since it had been taken over by the Hamilton Borough Council the Library had been steadily on the down grade. Mr Stevens said he had interested himself in the matter and he had found out that there were .SO subscribers to the Library, '2O of whom belonged to Hamilton East, and the number was gradually decreasing. If they Mere to make a fresh sti>i t and re-model the library and weed out the books there would be about '2OO volumes, available. Several speakers followed and many suggestions weie thrown out. Some appeared to be in favour of erecting a new building, but appeared to be by no means certain as to where the money was to come from. However, the general opinion appeared to be that the lit s-t step .should be in the direction of obtaining a supply of new books. This would make the library more attractive and subscribers would get an immediate return for their money. Mr P. E. Stevens offered to canvass the district for .subscriptions, and as this wos considered the wisest course to adopt his oiler was accepted. The meeting was of opinion that if a canvass was made and people did not care to subscribe for the puiro;e of buying books, it was a moral certainty they would not subscribe for the erection of a new building. \\ hen this had been done it could then be seen whether the burgesses were really desirous of having a leal live library or not. Rev. Mr Mather said although he was not likc'y to remain in the district more than a few months lie would subset ibe one guinea nmlj also give an illustrated lecture ot a recent trip through England and Scotland in aid of the funds. The meeting was unanimously of opinion that the present site was not a grod one, and that ere long the Library would have to be lemovcd to a more commodious site in Hamilton West, but flic first consideration was the purchase of new books. After ariangements were made for the canvass to commence at once the meeting clo el.