CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 97, 20 February 1897, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ANNUAL MEETING. TIIB annual meeting of the subscribers and members of the corporation of the above library was held in the rcadineroom on Wednesday evening, at 7.30 p in. There were present : Messrs G. Dickinson (chairman), J»s. Ifally, R. C. Dyer, and Archdeacon Willi*, members of the committee ; Messrs W. G. Collins, J. H. Priestley, G. Emp?on, R. C. Nixon, G. E. Clark, VV. Rout, Rev. L. Hudson, J. McLean, W. l!rennan,Hartly, Rcll'o and Colder. Report and Balance-sheet.—After the usual formalities had been complied with, the Chairman read tne report and balance-sheet, as printed in our last issue. In moving their adoption he said he was much pleased to be able to show the finances of the institution in such a healthy condition, the amount of subscriptions being larger than in any previous year. One of the items of expenditure was for painting and decorating the reading-room, £7 lis 4d. It was necessary work, and such an expenditure would not again be required for some years. They >vould have noticed in the minutes of the previous annual meeting that Miss Hooper had offered many curios, etc., to the Borough Council. Since then the offer had been transferred to the Library Committee, and, as they were all aware, it had been accepted. He had hoped the case would have been comp'eted by that evening, but the maker had been disappointed by not receiving some turnery for the legs. It was very gratifying to him to find the ready manner in which the inhabitants had subscribed for the purchase of the case.—Mr Dyer seconded the motion.— Mr Priestley asked if some revenue had not been derived from the sale of papers ? —The Chairman said £1 lis had been made that way, but it had been inc'uded in the receipts under the head of subscriptions.—Mr Rout thought the discount received upon the purchase of new books should also have been shown on each side of the balance-sheet.—Mr Piiestley asked if it was not promised at the last annual meeting that a concert should be held during the year for the benefit of the library.—The Chairman said such a promise had been given, but the greater portion of the work fell upon himself when library concerts were given, and he had not the time to devote to it last year.—Replying to Mr Clark, the Chairman said he considered the whole of the outstanding liabilities good. The largest amount owing by any one individual was 25s ; two or three names of "'hard cases" had been expunged from the books and their debts written off.—Mr Hartly said there was a rumour that one of the local papers was delivered free of cost, while the other was being paid for.—The Chairman said the rumour was true in part. For many years the Waikato Times was presented to the library by Mr Edgeoumbe, in fact during the whole time that he was proprietor of that paper, and since then he had supplied free copies of Tin: Argus. fcinee Mr Bond took over the Waikato Times it had been charged for at half the usual rate.—Mr Hartly thought if the one paper was paid for the other should be also.—The Chairman said Mr Edgeeumbe had always been a good friend to the library, and if anyone should be recompensed he (Mr Edgecumbe) certainly was the one.—The motion was theu put and agreed to unanimously. The Librarian's Stipend. —Mr Hartly moved : That it be an instruction to the incoming committee to raise the librarian's stipend. He said at the present time it was a miserable pittance. —The Rev. L. Hudson seconded the motion.—The Chairman said they must remember that two years ago they were practically bankrupt, and it was only by great exertions and careful conservation of the funds that he had been able to show such a satisfactory lalance-sheet. He could show them in the books where a former librarian had received £3O per annum, when the subscriptions only amounted to £3l the same year. That was the way the institution had got into trouble. The motion was supported by Messrs Empscn, Dyer and Clark, the latter contending that the librarian should do the clerical work and relieve the Chairman. They must also remember there had not been a concert this year, and from what he remembered of library concerts in former years they usually made from £3O to £SO by them. The motion was then agreed to. Subscriptions.—A very lengthy and desultory discussion as to the moneys owing took place. The Chairman did not believe one in fifty of the subscribers knew their subscriptions wefe due in advance. He further Btated that £4 or £5 of the £27 of arrears had been paid since the commencement of the year. The following motions were carried after much discussion : That notice be given on the walls of the reading room that accounts are due in advance. That notice of subscriptions due be sent to subscribers in harmony with the rule that they should be paid in advance. Bad Treatment of Books. Several spoke of the bad manner in which the books are treated by subscribers, aud the Committee was asked to line the culprits Tenders.—Tenders were received for the Herald and Illustrated News. The former went to Mr Priestley at 15s, and the latter to Mr R. C. Nixon at 12s. The Corporation.—Mr Clark said that after trying hard for a year they had at last got a list of the members of the corporation. He asked if subscribers could vote, or if it was confined to the corporation only. The Chairman said all subscribers good on the' books could vote, but only members of the corporation were eligible for committee men. —Mr Dyer said the qualification tor the corporation was having been a subscriber for twelve months, and having contributed £1 to the funds.—The following were then added to the corporation : Messrs W. Rout, K. Allen. O. Hunter, G. Empson, J. McLean, Golder and the Rev. Hudson. Thanks.—Hearty votes of thanks were accorded Mrs W. Thornton for her gift of the Westminister Budget ; Miss Hooper for the curios ; Mr McUennott for auditing the accounts ; the propiietors of '1 he Waikato Argus, Hot Lakes Chronicle, Waihi Miner aud The People for free copies of their respective papers. Election of Committee.—The following were then elected a committee of management : —Messrs W. Rout, R. C. Dyer, G. E. Clark, T. Wells and Archdeacon Willis. Messrs J. Hally, G. Dickinson, and J. IT. Priestly declined nomination. A very hearty vote of thanks was tendered the retiring chairman, Mr Dickenson, for the very great amount of interest he had displayed and the trouble he had taken in getting the affairs of the Library into a good condition. He brielly returned thanks, and trusted in twelve months the affair would prove as satisfactory. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr W. Rout was elected chairman.