Waimate Public Library.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 103, 17 September 1901, Page 3

Waimate Public Library.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION • STONE.

On Saturday afternoon the ceremony of laying the foundation atone of the Waimate Public Library was performed in the pr'e- . sence of a faiu crowd, the heavy wind, ho doubt, keeping many people away. Mr Hamilton, chairman of the f Library Commfttee, who presided, I said the committee did not arrange 1 for any grand function, but they thought the occasion warranted something. He referred to the Library's career, which had been chequered, but whiuh was now like to end well, The institution was like a man who had come through the bankruptcy court and started again with a clean shoot. Thoy had not as had brsen said, called the gathering to take up a collection, but they wore always glad to receive subscriptions. The speaker referred to tho fact that Mr Donglas had given the stone'for'tho newbuilding free of royaity, and the institution was much indebted to Mr Douglas for the public spirit he had shown. Ife had to apologise for the uua-vodabie absenca of Mr A. Walker, architect fur tho building. He called on His Worship the Mayor to lay tho stouo. The stone, which is the one at the corner nearest the Ohurch of England, is a well-out piece of Waihao Downs stone. In the foundation beneath it is a hollow in which was placed a small glass jar containing copies of the papers published in Waimate on that day, a»d other documents.

Mr Manchester having, with assistance, put the stone in position, declared it well and irulylaid. He said considerable importance surrounded the occasion. There was now no doubt as to the success of the Library, its whole surroundings being of a promising character, It waa interesting to know that the building was to be of local stone — this seeming to give stability to the whole institution. The speaker enlarged on the advantages to*b9 derived from a well-chosen library. He referred to the prosperity of Wairnate, which, in his opinion, was assured for years. They were not progressing so fast as some people would like, but they were not riding for a fall, and " slow and sure' was a good motto. He concluded by appealing to the public to make the Library a success. Mr Grabam was the next speaker. He said that Mr Douglas was public-spirited at all times, and never more so than in the present instance. He was good and generous in giving the Library the stone free, and it would not be forgotten. The speaker was of opinion that the stone was better than the far-famed Oamaiu stone, and he hoped that the Library would but be the first of a number of buildings ia Wairnate built of Waihao Downs stone. He called for cheers for Mr Douglas, which were given with a will. Mr J. F. Douglas returned thanks for the cheers. He said that if the Library lasted as well'as the building it wouTd do well. Similar stone in a house at Waihao Downs had as sharp an edge at the end of thirty years as the day it was put in. He was pleased the Library was progressing, but he regretted the Committee had not decided to put up a larger buiidiag, so as to supply accommodation for ladies who come to town from the country. By this means the membership would have been increased five-fold.

Mr Hamilton explained that the Committee had hot tbe funds to erect as large a building as they would have liked, but with increased support they would add other rooms.

Cheers for His Worship the Mayor brought the function to a close.