The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1886. A FREE LIBRARY FOR MAS TERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2390, 3 September 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1886. A FREE LIBRARY FOR MAS TERTON.

Some tirao back we suggested .that "a free library might be established with advantage in Masterton, and looking at the interest now manifested by the Borough Oouaoil in the improvement •f the Institute, we have 'some alight hops that the idea we threw out may yet bo seriously entertained by the powers that be. Of course the Borough Council so for have not completed their, arrangements for the benefit of the Institute. They have, however, put a gorgeous coat of paint on the exterior of the building, a coat so ricn that it is almost bilious. They have fitted up a handsome Council Chamber and a commodious reading room, but the question of books and papers has not been reached yet, and it is in anticipation of this next step that we would put in a plea for a free library. We have a free reading room whieh is, a decided boon to the community; and which is with a little batter selection of papers and. periodicals a credit to the town, The' library on the contrary is a somewhat rubbishing collection and needs reform. The Institute now has two very strong bickers. In the Council which has adopted it as its home, and in.the Town Lands 'Trust which has taken upon its shoulders the debt which once hung like, a millstone round its neck. With the exception of a paltry sum derived from subscriptions, the Institute is virtually supported by publio money. Were a free library to be.established, the annual revenue from subscriptions would be lost, but we fancy the sacrifice of this small item in the balance-sheet, might be more than met by increased aid J from the Borough Council and Town Lands Trust. We feel assured that these itwo bodies are qiite able to wtablisb a free library in ' Masterton should they make up their. mind to take such a step. It may be said that other and more important centres of, population, in, New Zealand do not enjoy such an educational privilege as we desiro.to see established in Mkaterten, but. then it would redound all the more to the credit of this town to b'eHhe first in such a laudable movement and to sot an example which would confer on the town an enviable distinction. The growing wealth of the Town Lands Trust, the library rate which is so cheerfully paid by the burgesses, and the fair Vental which the Borough,- Council ought to.pay for its comfortable quarters in the buijding, ought to place Masterton: in a

position to establish a free library, We feel quite certain that if a movement in this direction emanated from the Borough. Council it would have the: sympathy and support of the settlers both in town and country, and that there would be a marvellous chatige in the condition of the ■■ priaent library. .Where one book is taken out now a dozen would be withdrawn then, and the demand for more reading matter would create the supply. Donations of books from fifty sources might be expected for a free library where not a single volume would be forthcoming to the present hybrid arrangement. A free library is oue thing necessary to complete the equipment of our renovated Institute to enable it to properly fulfil its mission of utility and to hecomo a shining light among the literary institutions of the colony. Probably there will be in the future, as there has been in the past, some Government subsidies divided among institutes, and it is'evident that if any particular class of these enterprises will hare a stronger claim for colonial money than others, it will be those that open their library as well as their reading room doors to all comers,