TURANGANUI PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1356, 17 January 1905, Page 3

TURANGANUI PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual inootiug of tho Turanganui Public Library was hold last ovouing, Mr F. J. Morgan, prosidont, in tho chair. Amongst those prosont wore Rev. H. Williams, Messrs L. T. Symes, G. Matthewsou, A. Cuthbort, A. R. uluir, J. W. Blight, and W. J. Hawley (secretary). Tho balance sheet, which was submitted by Mr Hawloy, showed tho receipts to bo £3Ol 12s lid, including subscriptions £l5O, rents £126 15s, Government subsidy £l7 15s 4J, saio of books, paper, aud oataloguos £6 17s, Sues 2s, aud subscription box on table 2s 6d. Tho oxpondituro was £232 3s 4d, including £S4 on new books and £ls 18s 9d on papers and magazines. Tho balance in bank was £ll4 15s 2d, as

, compared with £45 18s 6d last y'oar. i Tho report of tho committee was as i follows :—“ Your committee has much i pleasure iu reporting that the library has i | made very satisfactory progress during the past year. Tho roll of members has risen from 260 to 324. and tho number of books ha 3 been increased to 4154. Miss Boere, as librarian, continues to give great satisfaction in hor dutios, and it is principally owing to hor efforts that tho membership has increased. Since our last meeting the power ba3 been granted us to lease the prosont site under the Public Bodies’ Powers Act, 1887. Tenders were invitod for tho same for a period of 21 years, with a right of renewal for a similac term, and Mr J. A. Harding was successful at a yearly rental of £2OO. Your committee then invited applications for new premises, and after careful consideration accepted the offer of Mr H. J. Bushnoll to lease tho upstairs portion of a brick building now being erected at the corner of Gladstono road and Peel street. Tho new building in six months’ time will bo a groat improvement on the present ono.and we hope So soe a large increase in the membership. Wo would like to soo more support accorded to tho Library by means cf voluntary subscriptions, i the total amount found in the box at end of J tho 3‘ear being only 2o 6d. Tho finances of the Library aro in a satisfactory condition, as will be seen by the balance j shoot.” Tho Chairman moved the adoption of 1 tho report and balance sheet, which was i seconded by Rev. H. Williams and oar- j ried. The election of officers for tho ensuing year was then proceeded with. Mr Matthewson proposed that Mr F. J. Morgan be re-elected president, he having at all times taken a keen and lively interest in the affairs of tho library. As thoy wore ' going into now buildings it was necessary Mr Morgan should oontinue in office as president. Mr Bright seconded the nomination of ( Mr Morgan, tho motion being unanimously adopted. Mr Matthewsou was rc-olected vice- C president. The following were elected members of the committee : —Messrs Symes, Cuthbort, Bright, Muir, Hawley, Stock and Burke. g Messrs Porter and O’Meara were reelected auditors.

Me Matthowson expressed regret that tho committee wero losing tho services of the Rev. H. Williams, who was about to leave on a trip to England. Mr Williams had at all times done his utmost to pro mote tho success of the library, and his services had been much appreciated. He was sure the committee wished both Mr and Mrs Williams a pleasant voyage, Mr Williams suitably responded. Tho Chairman remarked that tho subscribers woro evidently satisfied with the manner in which the institution wos being run, as they had not turned up to put tho present committee out of office. (Laughter.) Mr W. J. Hawley was re elected secretary, and Miss Beero librarian: The following wero elected a book committee : Messrs Morgan, Hawley, Stock, and Cuthbort.

The plans for the new building In Peel Stress Wt'ts submitted to tho meeting, and W9re greatly admired by the subscribers present.