Meeting of Library Subscribers.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 85, 15 December 1900, Page 3

Meeting of Library Subscribers.

A meeting of the above was held oil Thursday evening, about forty subscribers being present. Mr Hamilton occupied the chair. The minutes of the last subscribers' meeting were read and approved. Mr Hamilton read the committee's report as follows : — The committee have gone into the question of the the Library building for themselves or taking rooms in the proposed Town Hall, and recommend the subscribers to rent rooms in the proposed Town Hall on the following conditions : .1- .Accommodation to be provided equal to that in the building proposed to be built for themselves. 2 The lease to be for five years, with the option of renewal for,. tew years, rent to be £25 pur year. 3 All care to be taken to prevent disturbance to subscribers through the proximity of a public hall. 4 A poll to' be taken on the question within two months. The committee also lecommend that in the event of the Town Hall scheme being favoured by the ratepayers, that £150 worth of books be procured at once. The sum of at least £250 to be put out at interest. The building as proposed to be built for themselves would cost £485, but by cutting it down it could be got for £450. He trusted that all who took part would remember that they were present to consider the committee's report as expeditionsly as possible and to introduce no extraneous matter into the debate. Dr .Barclay said the committee had decided to adhere to- the Town Hall scheme if accommodation on a plan drawn by Mr Walker were given. As being intimately concerned in the scheme, he thought the chairman might explain if there was any difference in the plan drawn by Messrs Walker and Turnbull. j Mr Hamilton Explained that the Town Hall scheme provided .for three rooms, and that of the separate building for four, with lavatories. Mr Clement objected to the committee drawing up a final plan in case an individual building were put up. He would move that this part of the committee's report be not adopted. He thought the sum, mentioned (£485) was too mucli to commit subscribers to without further consideration. ;: Mr T. H. Mann seconded this motion. Mr Graham thought the whole matter should be left in the hands of the committee. Mr J. Scott (Waihao), thought this was not the question to disctiss. Both schemes should be before the • meeting. The Rev McKenzie Gibson felt I it right to understand that the committee had gone carefully into the question and had thought the accommodation provided in the building was the minimum that could be done with. They wanted as much money in hand as possible for books. Mr Dugdale asked if it would not be better to discuss the Town Hall scheme and dispose of it. His opinion was that it would be better to postpone the building of their library until the inevitable depression occurred in the buildiug trade which would make a difference in cost. Barclay said the difference between Jhe Town. Hall scheme and the|B|eparate building were easily rawn. The committee asked fit., lavatories, not previously allowed for, but this was merely an ommission. - They also asked for committed rooms, a library, a book and newßpsper room* Those, who were acquainted with his plan would know tMat thai two rooms were set- apart upstairs for the ■ use -of all committees and these they could

use. They were then only asking 750 square feet, while he had provided for them 800 feet, a fact which met all the requirements. Mr Graham asked in what situation the rooms would be as regards li'glit. A Dr Baiciay paid a building would not be put up .without, reference to their wishes. The motion was put and lost by 11 to 8. Mr Dugdale moved that the subscribers a sho^td^ hold aloof from the Town fv-ajl scheme andput up a buildingf-of their own. Mr Fowerafcer seconded this. Mr Akhurst said if tho Town Hall were built and suitable rooms secured for five years they would be in a good financial position and could tuen consider the question of building. Mr Dash asked, if the Library did not fall in with the Town Hall scheme would they have money enough to build. Mr • Milsom said they bad a landlord in the Borough Council if they became tenentß, aad if r ' they dropped into low water they : would get better treatment than if they were tenants, Mr Geo. Wilson could not see the advantages of the separate | building. A mortgage would be ! inevitable to supply even a small I library. Mr Beckett said the reason the Library was nofc formerly a j success was because the books i were out of date. They must have fresh new books and in quantity to retain subscribers. If they fell -in with the Town Hall scheme, they would have a splendid stock of books. Dr Barclay said if the rate- ! payers and subscribers would study the question on its merits and the farmers would' give it the support they had_ promised, they would have a building which would be a credit to the town. Th« Rey, McKenzie Gibson here spoke at some length.* Mr Dugd ale's motion was put and lost by 22 to 13. . - Mr Milsom then moved and Mr Beckett "seconded, that the -whole report be adopted. The motion was put and carried. The Chairman said the business was now concluded and he wished to thank them for the manner in which it had been carried out. A rote of thanks to the chair terminated the meetiut,.