Gisborne Public Library.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 634, 16 July 1891, Page 2

Gisborne Public Library.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Gisborne Library was held last night. There were fifteen gentlemen present the President (Ven. Archdeacon Williams being in the chair. Mr Featon read— The Annual Report of the Turanganui Publio Library for the year ending 30th June 1891. Your Committee, with pleasure, submit to you this evening the annual Report and Balance sheet, and in so doing desire to express their satisfaction, that considering the _ still somewhat depressed state of affairs, your Library is in no worse condition generally than it was this time last year. It is a matter for regret that public sympathy and support are not more widely given to the Institution, whereby its usefulness could be extended to all classes for mutual recreation and instruction, even more generously than at present, In a town of the size of Gisborne, there should be no lack of subscribers to so worthy an Institute, and in this age of advanced education, it would be thought that the opportunities offered here for recreation and self culture, would be largely patronised by the youth of our community. We regret to report that our subscribers are not as numerous as they ware last year, being at present 125 in number, as against 144 upon last return, thereby showing a decrease of 19, and it may here be opportune to remark that amongst our subscribers we find only some half dozen youths who have taken advantage of the exceedingly low tariff to become possessors of the opportunities afforded. Your Committee. think that parents and others interested in the young should throw everything in the way to induce them to take an interest in ths Public Library of their town, and build up their minds and characters, with sound and healthy literature, such as occupy our shelves. During the year your Committee has added 120 new volumes to the stock of books, which now numbers 2150. On the tables will be found 26 magazines and periodicals for the use nf readers, several of which are generously placed there by friends. This branch of the Institution is one which your Committee has ever found difficult to deal with, inasmuch as frequent request's are made by subscribers to augment the number of papers, etc,, but owing to the lack of funds and reading room subscription being so small, only £1 15s for the year, it has been impossible to enlarge in this directrn. In connection with this subject it

may be stated that the cost of providing magazines and periodicals ior the use of some readers comes to about £l2 per annum, without considering tha question of fuel and lighting to add to their comfort. The warmest thanks of the Committee are especially due to the ladies and gentlemen of the “ Heroes ” Dramatic Company, who during last November gave a theatrical entertainment in aid of the Library funds, and

handed over to our Treasurer the handsome sum of £29 8s clear of all expenses, as a special donation for the purchase of new books, £26 5s 6d of which has been so ex

pended, leaving a balance of £3 2s 6d for further outlay. Kind thanks are also due to Messrs Kenway Bros, and Mr E. Brown for small money donations made to the Institution, as also to the Ven. Archdeacon W. L. Williams, Mr C. C. Lucas, and Mr Skipworth for contributions of articles of interest to the Museum, An attempt was made by your Committee daring the year to take up the balance of the outstanding mortgage amount on the building and place it a at lower rate of interest, hoping thereby to lighten the annual interest, and enable the Committee, after due payment to sinking fund, to hold in hand annually a small but certain sum for the purchase of new books. We regret to say that the attempt was net successful. At the same time it is assuring to know that

out of the original loan of £7OO borrowed, there has been paid off the sum of ,£350, leaving .£350 as our present indebtedness, which is, under the existing arrangements, being gradually lessened. The tennis court, at the rear of the Library, has been let to Mr J, A. Harding on terms, and is bringing in a revenue of £6 per annum. Your Committee, on retiring from office, hope that during the forthcoming year, the Institution, in the hands of the incoming Committee, will extend its usefulness, and increase in prosperity. As a public Institution, its success devolves in a great measure upon the amount of public support afforded, and as a power for good in our midst, they hope it may long remain. The balance-sheet showed a small sum of cash remaining to credit. In reply to the Rev. Mr Gardiner, Mr Featon said that the average number of subscribers before the fee was reduced was §4. Mr Greenwood said that would mean a

larger number bf subscribers, but less total receipts. Mr n. Johnston moved the adoption of the report, saying that under adverse cir< cumstances the committee had done very well,

In seconding the motion, which was carried unanimously, Mr Lucas also complimented the Committee, saying that they had done all they could to make the Institution popular, He hoped the publication of the report would lead to the awakening of further interest in the Institution,

In reply to questions Mr Featon said it was estimated that it would take about four years to clear off the liability on the building. The Councils had the offices at a fixed rental having about 2'/i years to run yet. Mr O’Ryan proposed, and Mr Gardiner seconded, a vote of thanks to the Committee. ' The following officers were unanimously elected f—Presidentl Ven. Archdeacon Williams ; Vice-President i Mr Green-

wood ; Commilteemen : Messrs Featon, Lucas, Grant, Pettie, D. Johnston, O’Ryan and Dunlop ; Auditor : Mr O’Meara.

At a meeting of the new Committee Mr Hamblett was re-appointed Librarian. Mr Lucas was elected Hon. Secretary, and Mr Featon Hon. Treasurer. It was decided that the Library hours be from I to 5 and 7 to 9, and the Committee meetings be held on the second Tuesday in each month. It was decided to communicate with Mr Kelly, urging the necessity of Government assistance to Libraries.