TE AWAMUTU PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1190, 12 February 1880, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU PUBLIC LIBRARY.

For some considerable time past the Te i wamutu Public Library has been in a very bad state — in fact it seems to have fallen into evil days ; so much so, indeed, has it decayed that latterly no account seems to have been kept of the issue and whereabouts of the volumps belonging" to j it. That such a state of things should have been permitted to exist seems deplorable, but it only furnishes further testimony in support of the popular proverb which declares that " everybody s business is nobody's." That the great majority of the residents of Te Awamutu and its neighborhood were aware of this falling off, deplored it, and were anxious to do something to raise the institution to the position it was intended it should occupy as a means of pi'oviding them with innocent and healthful recreation seems patent. On Tuesday evening a meeting of thobe persons interested in re-establishing and re-organising the library was held in the Public Hall, and was numerously attended.' The chair was occupied by Mr Wilkinson, who commenced by stating the object for which the meeting had been called. After some preliminary business, Mr Gresham urged the necessity of making a strong effort to re-establish the institution on a sound basis. He said that the town of Raglan possessed a library and readingroom — the latter open to the public every day in the week except Sunday, while hooka were lent to subscribers only. He did not think Te » warautu should be behiud Kafrl.i,i iv thia respect. He said an offer had been made by Mr Dick to Bet apart a room in his store for the purposes of a reading-room and library gratis, and also to fit up the necessary {shelves, <See. Such a handsome offer as this should not he refused, and he trusted the meeting would see fit to avail thpmselves of it at oni'o. Some discussions followed, duralg which it was stated that Mr George had offered to undertake the duty of issuing the boo'^ sin the hall, following the plan hitherto adopted ; but Mr George said he oould not promise to be in attendance more than a limited number of hours per week. It was ultimately agreed to leave tho matter in the hands of the committee, to the election of which the meeting then proceeded, with the following result : The Revs. Messrs Phi 1 lips and Bruce Messrs J. H. Mandeno, Winstone, Clough, Westney, and Benge. Tho meeting shortly afterwards terminated, and was followed by a meeting of the committee. Mv Winstoue was appointed chairman, and Mr Ciougu. secretary and treasurer, Ou

the motion of the Rev. Mr Phillips, it "was decided to accept Mr Diok's offer to provide a reading-room and library free of cost, and it was ordered that the thanks of the committee be forwarded to Mr Dick for his kindness, It was agreed that the reading-room should be open every week--day, subject to the convenience of Mr Dick. The subscription fee was fixed at 5s per annum, payable in one sum in advance, with a deposit fee of 5s 6d for new members. The committee then adjourned till March Ist. Under such favorable auspices it will be a matter for surprise if the institution does not enter upon a long period of substantial usefulness.