HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2435, 18 February 1888, Page 2

HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.

A MKKTINt! of thu public w;ts held in tlm Public Hall on Thursday evening, adjourned from Thursday previous, fortho purpose of electing a library committee for the current year. Some thirty persons were present. Mr W. A. Graham, chairman of the outgoing committee, occupied the chair, and congratulated the people of Hamilton on having awakened to the fact that they had a public library in the town. The specific object ot the meeting was to elect a committee, but it would be competent to go afterwards into thu question of improving or changing the present building. Ho hoped in retiring from tho position ho held that the great point would be adhered to, that the library should bu open to all, and that ihe incoming committee would neglect no opportunity of increasing the income of the library, which would need every exertion, as there was no Government subsidy to be looked fur in this future. The amount of funds in hand was some €11, and there were no debts. —A question arose as to tho constitution of the library, and to to whom it belonged. The chairman called upon Mr Gelling to explain the matter as he had it thoroughly at his fingers ends. Mr Gelling stated that the library had been started by a few subscribers, and tho subscribers alone had a voice in its control. By accepting the Government subsidy the library became free and open to tho public, but the control of tho library remained with the subscribers. They might bring the library under the act and alter the state of things, strike a rato, Hie, but he would recommend them to go on for some time at least as they had been doing:, as to strike a rate would destroy voluntary support, and all they could levy by a rate was some £20. The names of a number of persons were then proposed for a committee of seven, comprising the following, several of whom, however, withdrew their names :—Messrs Panne]!, Barton, Gelling, W. A. Graham, Von Stunner, R. l> , . Sandes, W. Taylor, J T. Home, Col. Forbes. H, M. Salmon, D. Salmon, Parr, Quick, Trewhellar, Angus Campbell, Stevem, Rev. R. O'C. Biggs, A. Swarbrick, I-Cnox. Before putting the resolution of appointment of committee, a further desultory and somewhat warm discussion arose as to the question whether such committee, if appointed, would be a legal one, some of the old committee who were present maintaining that the subscribers wore alone entitled to vote.—The Chairman considered the resolution for the appointment of certain persons as a committee was in order. Mr Von Stunner said it was quite clear that they were proceeding irregularly. If the control of the library rested with subscribers only, then any committee elected that night might be brought into legal contest with a committee appointed by the subscribers in opposition. The whole thing should be started de novo. Sooner than see the public library fail under the control of a private committee, he, for one, in his capacity of Borough Councillor, would take possession of the greater part of the books, which belonged to thu Council, and lock up the building which also belonged to the Borough (cheers.) He proposed as an amendment, "' That the Hamilton Borough Council study the Public Library Act, 18(i'J, and report to a future public, meeting what stops required to be taken to make the Hamilton Library a Liorary under that Act." This amendment was seconded by Mr R. F. Sandes. A desultory discussion then took place, the. Chairman speaking in favour of tho original motion to appoint a committee. The amendment was put and cairied by 21 to 2. A show of hands was then called for the original motion, which was negatived by a similar majority.—The Chairman said the effect of this would be to leave the Library without a committee of management altogether. This, it was pointed out by several present, was not the case, as by ordinary usage the old governing body always remained in office till its successor was appointed. Representatives of the Borough Council, however, who were present said there was no danger of the Library being closed, for if the present cunmitteo refused to work, the Borough Council would accept its position, and take upon themselves the interim management of tho Library.