Waipukurau Library.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 29, 23 March 1906, Page 2

Waipukurau Library.

i annuaiTmeeting. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Waipukurau Public Library was held on Wednesday evening. There was only a moderate attendance. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The report and balance sheet were read by Mr C. J. Cooke, hon. secretary. The following is abridged from the report:—The year just closed has been one of great importance for our Library. When we met a year ago we were still occupying the Rechabite Hall; now we have a building of our own, which if not entirely out of debt is still ours with very little liability on it. By the kindness of Miss Winlove, Mrs Bogle, and others, the books have all been overhauled, and rearranged in the new building. At the end of 1904 the number of books according to the catalogue was 1125, and during last year 70 were added, which would make a total of 1195. Thenew manuscript catalogue,however, gives a total of only 1051. Most of the missing numbers have been found to be worn out, while some are known to have been taken away by subscribers and lost, but two ladies have kindly consented to attend and give out books every Tuesday afternoon, and keep a record of such; this will minimise the risk of losing. Your librarian, after having acted continuously since 1896,has been unable through ill-health to give so much attention to the Library during the past year as before. The affairs of the Library, however, have rather profited by this, as the ladies above mentioned, and some other subscribers have taken additional interest in the Library, so that there are now more subscribers than ever b< - fore. The number at the end of 1904 was 38, at the end of last 45, and at present 48. The balance sheet shows that we spent £125 on the erection of the new building. This amount, together with the expenses of removal and some furniture, and also bank charges has broughtjthe cost up to nearly £129. To meet liabilities your trustees borrowed £4O. It is hoped some means may soon be adopted to reduce or pay off this debt. In previous years entertainments for tha Library have been well supported, so it is hoped something of this kind may be done again. Your trustees bear in mind that although we have a new building, the purpose of our library is not yet accomplished. We look forward, further, to having a reading room open to the public all day long, and having rooms for a caretaker. The present structure has been put up in a way to allow of being added te when funds will ad nit of it. We consider that a public reading-room is a pressing need of our town, so we hope that its inauguration will not long be deferred. Up to the present time about £IBO has been spent on the building, land and fences, and the fact of so much of this having already been raised leads us to hope that the necessary funds to finish the building will be forthcoming. In regard to the balance sheet, it was shown that the balance in hand on Dec. 31st, 1904, amounted to £35 Ils 5d ; for the year ending Dec. 31, 1905, members’ subscriptions brought in £l7; Government subsidy, £9 12s 9d; trust money for building fund paid in by Mr Barrie, £46; loan from Mrs Cooke, £4O; with sundry small items the total receipts amounted to £l4B 18s Ud. The expenditure balanced with this amount including £2 3s 3d in bank. The principal items of expenditure were—Building £125, purchase of books and freight £l6 15s 4d. The Library was established in 1878. During last year there were 52 subscribers ; 70 new books were added, and there are now 1051 books belonging to the library. About 40 books were lost, worn out, or destroyed since the library was founded. During last year about 1700 books were given out. The chairman (Mr Jones) congratulated the members upon the satisfactory statement presented. The number of subscribers had increased, and the prospects for the future were very encouraging. He hoped to see efforts made as soon as possible to repay the loan of £4O. In answer to Mr P. Barrie, Mr Cooke said the Library’s asaets were worth about £3OO. Mr W. A. Chambers, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, thought the progress made very satisfactory. Their best thanks were due to Mr Cooke for the work done and the interest he had taken in the library, also to the ladies who had given assistance. Mr Hopkin son seconded the adoption, which/was carried. With a view;' to reducing the existing debt, H was resolved on Mr G. Ellison’s) suggestion to appoint a lady canvasser for subscriptions, the chairman and Mr Cooke to make the appointment. The following officers were elected Trustees, Messrs Chambers, Cooke, Jonejs, Barrie, Hopkinson, Seymour, arid F. Bailey; secretary

and treasurer, Mr Cooke; book committee, Messrs P. Barrie and Cooke. Mr Jones was unanimously re-elected chairman. Votes of thanks were accorded the ladies, the retiring officers for past services, and newspaper proprietors who had sent papers. Members expressed the hopethat ere long the trustees will see their way to provide a reading room. The present room will probably be used for chess and draughts during the winter.