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Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 824, 20 July 1881, Page 2

We understand that- at the noxt meeting of the. Masterton-\ Library Committee, which is- likely to be held shortly, it will be considered whether the debt on tho. building can be placed on such a footing, that the annual charge for interest' and reduction of debt will not'cripple the resources of ■ the institution' to the extent they .have done in the past. If a satisfactory arrangement could be made with respect to the debt, we believe the Committee would not be averse to giving ratepayers free access to the Library. The existing debt is, really tho only valid rcason'-that canbe urged against a proposal for- a free library, in addition to the free reading room, which, the town already enjoys, and we hope, for tho credit of the town, to see .the change we suggest. carried out. '•' The annual income of the institution does not, we believe, at tho present time, from all sources,, exceed 1200 a year,.: If out of this some £SO a year only were deducted for debt cliargos there would be a balance of £l5O available for maintenance. Salaries, lighting, and firing would absorb at least ilOO,.leaving £SO for the purchase of books and periodicals. Fifty pounds is a small sum for such an object, but it, is a larger sum than the Committee has been wont to have at its disposal for these purposes. There is a chance of a Government subsidy this year, which might make up tor the meagrenessof the balance available for books and periodicals, The real obstacle'' to making the Institute what it should be 'is its debt, A. satisfactory arrangement made'with respect to it would clear the way for all essential improvements,