CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 555, 9 December 1875, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE.

December 6th, 1870. Some three or four dayo ago (I am almost tempted to say : Once upon a time) an institution wa founded called the Cambridge Library ounded indeed under very good auspices, the institution having been granted the use of tbe building formerly known as the hospital, which was removed to a suitable site by the Government, for the double purpose of a school and Reading-room, lake all institutions of a similar character, they held a general meeting, drew up rules and appointed a committee and officers. I h»ve not ascertained the exaot number of books possessed by them at the outset but judging from the present aspect of their shelves there could not have been many ; not that small begiaiags should be despised for many an institution of far greater importance, and productive of more benefit than the Cambridge ; Library has been launched with less prospect of ultimate success. Great oredit is due to those who established it, but the subsequent neglect of it by those who were appointed to direct it cannot be excused, for though the rulei provided that a general meeting should be held annually, up to Saturday last, no second reeling had been held. The Secretary in tbe report read before the meeting on that day, assigned, as a reason for this, that, although the meetings were advertised in the usual manner they could not get the subscribers to attend. It is curious, with this passage in ones ear, to mark "how large an attendance was obtainable when occasion required it. The meeting of which it is my duty to give some [account, was well attended, tho chair being occupied by Mr Halley, the chairman of the original committee. The proceedings commenced by the Seoretary, Mr Cummingham, reading the following report : — "The Library Committee have convened this meeting at the instigation of some of the subscribers who are dissatisfied that a general meeting hasiioti)een held smce'the establishment of the Library. The reason why no meeting has been called for the last two years is »imply that at tbe end of the]first year of its existence, a meeting of tho subscribers was advertised in the then uiual manner, the result of which was that only -the Chairman and Secretary put in an appearance. They waited at the appointed place for nearly an hour, but with no addition to their number. At the close of the second year a similar notice was published with a like result. The Committee not without reason considered that it was useless to -call another meeting and continued to conduct the affairs of the Institution without any cemplaint being made, until they refused to entertain a proposition made by the ' Cambridge Literary Society,' to amalgamate the two Institutions. Your Committee having decidedly refused to entertain this proposal, on the ground of ite unteipneafl inasmuch that all the benefit would be ou the side of the ' Literary Society,' a sort of agitation was got up by a few subscribers recently joined, to compel the Committee to call a special meeting. Your Committee »have always been desirous of having such a meeting and have consequently called you now together. During the present year 75 volumes liave been added to the Library at a cost of £10 7s sd. The present number of members is 14, and a good many are in arrears of their subscription^, but it is believed that all arreari will be paid before Christmas. The funtl now at the disposal of the Committee amounts to £2 555 d." The Chairman remarked that it was now open for members to move any resolution affecting the report, whereupon Mr Camp immediately moved its adoption. The motion was seconded and passed before anyone could have shut his eyes. A subscriber then suggested that the proposal of the Literary Society be taken into consideration by the members present. He was told that the meeting (which, by the by, is designated special in the report?) was called for the purpose of electing a new committee, accordingly the gentleman sat down and tho meeting proceeded to elect a committee. Mr Camp propesed '(he following as fit and proper persona for the office : Messrs Halley, Cunuinpham, Stewart, Asher, and Hewit. The Rev S J Neill. Messrs Smith and Hicks, were nominated by Mr AshT.ell. A ballot was taken and the five following were declared duly eleotetl : Messrs Halley, Stewart, Cunningham, Hicks, and Asher Strange to say, the meefing then decided to discuss the proposal of the Literary Society. After -wo or three members had »poken, along windedgcntlen.an, who appeared to be delighted with tho music of his own sweet voice, made as a final reason for not accepting the offer, the startling announcement, that if they were amalgamated, he would have to "back out," as he could not (itford to pay a double subscription. The Jiev Mr Neill explained that the Literary Society did not want a union of everything, but merely that the committees should have a unity of uction. He did not mean to flatter the Society, when be said that it would be but a poor exchange to give the use of current periodicals of a high "lasG, ii- ro irn fort'" neru^nl *to'-s, xv l . ' .

lo cay the least, were for the most part anything but standard works. He wished them to ba united, as much as anything for the good of thu Library it3clf, the management of which bad hitherto not been Baiwfsctory. The Rev genttoman wa« rudely out short in his remarks bj Mr Camp -who moved th.at the matter 'bo Iff / in the bands of the committee. Tiiig motion was also seconded and passed with the awnft unseemly haste. A vote of thanks to chairman, and to the . retiring committee for tbo services (?) rendered by them in the past, brought this meeting — which, to speak mildly, had been conducted in a very unfair manner — to a close. lam sorry to say that great hostility was shown, by those who convened, op rfther, __ packed the meeting to the gentlemen ConneeleiT with the Literary St^iety, 4he fairnew of whwwjr f proposals— a cooperation with the Lit>r»ry— it evident to all unprejudiced people It i»» m»tt<«r of regret that they, whose •arneit de»ir« it iito benefit all, should b© thwarted in their good work. But I tnut th* eitf " aotyet— *OumOw* CoBBEiPONDINT.