MASTERTON LIBRARY COMMITTEE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1037, 31 March 1882, Page 2

MASTERTON LIBRARY COMMITTEE.

Tips first meeting of "the new Committee was held at the Institute last evening, Present —The Mayor '(chairman), and Messrs Sellar, Gaselberg, Garr, W. H, BeeHwifli Grundy, Boddington, Eayton, McGregor, Hogg, and Feist, The minutes of the previous rneeting of tho former Committee werereacj and confirmed.

Mr Sellar was. elepted secretary and treasurer on the motion, of Mr boddington, who spoke iij high terrqs of tho efficient munnor in which the duties of these offices had been discharged by Mr Sollar under the former Committee", Mr Payton proposed that three subCommittees be appointed, vi?„ a Finance Committee, a House Committee, and a Book Committee.

Mr Boddington seconded tho proposal. Mr Cftsejbartr doubted whether a Fi nance sub Committee was nsoessarv.

The ohairman oonsidcrod that the Finanoe Conjmittoe would be the most important one of the three and have the hardest work to perform, The resolution was carried, and the following sub'cnmmitteea were ngreod to, Finance—Messrs Caselberg, McGregor, andCarr., Houße—Messrs Bish, Boddinatoh(.and Beethnm. Book—Messrs Grundy, Hogg and Payton. • On -the appointment of a bonk committee Mr McGregor expressed nn'opinion that tpp greftt a proportion of works of fiction had, during the pagt year, been placed in (he Lib'a'ry.'.' ' ■ Mr Boddington pointed out that it had been i neoegwry to oitor for the requirements of their readers, and with a due regard to these, there was a fair shire of 'heavy reading on the book shelves, The following accounts were passed for payment:—Custodian, .£l3 17s; G. M. Wood, 7s Od ;E. Feist, il 12s 9d; J. U, Harris, 15a..

•Mr B'oddington ijave in a list of papers and perindicnli), which he he ordered fur the use of the reading room. The list was referred to the book committee'.

Mr Oaßalhersj, speaking on tlje ijnaqcial question, susuested. a subscription list being initiated. IW'i "'•. '' Mr MeGrog'orsiwHhat there was an impression that under the now order of things their finances would be materially improved, hub he failed himself to Bee from what source this improvement was forthcoming, The provision made for relieving the commitiie of the debt was so far satisfactory, .but he pointed out that they would no longer reoeive a direct income from the Trust.

Mr Payton objected to the financial question being discussed until the finance committee brought up a report. Mr MoGregor said that to put himself in order h,e would move a resolution 'that the question' pf ways and .meant be now cDDßidflred', He 'had. Veen told that perspns would now contribute larger donations (o the Institute, and he admitted that by some moans pf (bat character money might be raised, and that the old committoe might have been some-' what la* in'hunting up Bubacribera and subscriptions. He reoommendedtheppening up of a subscription list. "■."."-.'. Mr Caselberg seconded the motion, he considered finance to he; their cardinal point. ■'.!.' . : " .' ■. '. '.J

Mr Payton moved as an amendment thaUhfl question of ways and means <be. referred to the finanoe Committee. If that Committee; could: not" Bolve ritrthen the general committee could undertake it, but having appointed % special sub-Oom-

mittce to investigate it, discussing the'•.". ■ question then was altogether premature. Mr Boddington supported' lh« amend- '•■". meat, and pointed out that the'Comtnittee -,:\ before it could.arme-at'cqnoluiiions on the question must investigate the past financial position of the Institute,,- It was . ho use'putting the' cart before the horse by.considering the question at,that meet* me.

Mr Oarr supported the resolution on the ■ ground that the sub-committee should be informed of the general views of membon-,-;.. of the committee,! Mr Caselberg considered that in ance with parliamentary .rules ...Mr Pay-lH ton's objection was a right one, and that W now they had' heard Mr McGregor's | views, there was nothing further to be gained by continuing the discosflion of ways and means. v ,

The Chairman expressed an opinion that a csinvass of the town would be attended by satisfactory results. ,''Mr Caselbergstated that on.one occasion he had promised an, annual subscription, of one or two guineas, but the money, had never been .applied for. ■■- Mr'McGregor expressed himself willing towithdraw the resolution which-he had ' moved; ' >.' •■ ■' U

Mr Hogg expressed his Sympathy with Mr McGrogor'sresolution, He thought that at'first the question of ways and. ' means ichould be amply discussed. If ; their finances were in a bad state, the ;.; • sooner they were investigated the better; He expressed an opinion that an appeal • to the publto would bo liberally responded ■ 'to, and that in the past the impoverish- ■ •-■' ; ' : mentof the library and reading room was ■'•■•; '■ due more to want of push than to want of • funds,;- i . . : ■ ' ■'■■'■:! On motion of Mr Boddington the future meetings of the Committee were "•'-■' fixed for Ihe last Thursday in each month •■' * at7.3op.m, : V ; {: : '■ -'W Mr Caselberg gave a notice ot motion 7 •'•'■•''i ; that immediate Bteps be taken to alter the"-. ■'*■ staircase ?f the upper room. ' ' > Mr W| H, Beetham; expressed hiip ! sense of the compliment which had been < paid him by his .election to the oommittee,, • '■ ' \ He regretted that he had not in the past taken more interest in such a useful tutio'n, b'lt; had of late years been; absent' 1 from the district a good deal, and had had : ■]#. to rely upon his brother to keep u'p : hil '||?< connection with the Library, . ;r '.''■■■■■?\ It was decided to adjourn the meeting•' ■ ! till Thursday week with a view to enable' •' ; ' the committee to (.et the Institute in'" working order as soon as possible. I