OPENING OF THE EKETAHUNA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4453, 24 June 1893, Page 2

OPENING OF THE EKETAHUNA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

(From a Correspondent,) Last night (Friday, 2Urd June) a public meeting was held to open the above Library and Reading Eoom. At 8 o'clock Mr F, Bennett, Chairman of the Committee, began the proceedings by giving a sketch of the establish" ment of the Library. He stated that the first meeting took place on July 7th, 1892, and soon after a Committee was formed consisting of Messrs Matheson, Parsons, Jones, T. Bayliss, M. Ncilson, Nordell, Henderson, Von Beden, Bolby, Carter, Syversen, T, J. Smith (Secretary), and F. Bennett (Chairman) to take the initiatory steps. Subscription lisle were well filled, Mr T, 0. Williams generously giving the land as a site, and Mr King preparing the plans and specifi' cations free of coat. A "Works Commiltto" and a (i Book Oommittee 1 ' were were also appointed. The library was now opened free of debt, the total receipts being .£BBIBs fid which left a credit at date of £7 6s. 9d. This satisfactory state of things was mainly due to the zeal of Mr W. B. Matheson who collected £52 Os. A handsome donation of LlO Os 6d from the Knights of Labor belped considerably, There were 121 books on the shelves and some on order, many of which have been pre* senterl. The tables were also well sup* plied with papers, Mr Matheson then declared the Library open, amid great applause, and votes of (hanks were passed .to all who had contributed in any way; Rules were adopted and the following Committee elected:—Messrs T. Parsons, W. B. Matheson, F. Bennett, J, Carter, Nordell, Jacobsen, and F, Bright. Mr • Carter was appointed Secretary, and Mr Roberts Treasurer, At a subsequent meeting of the Committee, Mr Bennett was unanimously [ elected Chairman, " ,""_..

The new Library will be opeoei to-day and thenceforwaitT'eyiry-da; (Sundays included) a,ia, tii 10 p.m.