Rotorua Library c.1895 from the Hot Lakes Chronicle.
Library and
Reading Room, Annual Subscribers Meeting, 11th October 1895 in the
Institute.
Report as printed in the Hot Lakes
Chronicle 16th October 1895.
“Mr C. Malfroy, president, occupied the chair. Mr Malfroy
expressed his regret at seeing so comparatively few present, but at the same
time signified his delight in meeting amongst the number so many who had been
for many years identified with the town”
There follows a reading of the seventh annual report in which
a number of concerns are outlined “Your committee very much regret that during
the past year no concerts or other entertainments have been given in aid of the
Library funds, nor has there been any material receipts from the sale of
publications, both of which sources of revenue have been of great assistance in
previous years, and taking this into account as well as general financial
depression which necessarily reacts on the Institution they have been unable
during the past year to order any new books for the Library. They regret this
the more, in view of the constant enquiries made by members on the subject, and
would earnestly urge on you the duty of individually endeavouring to secure
additional subscribers”
The report goes on to say “during the early part of the year
the roof of the building was repaired, and your Committee would return their
thanks to the Town Board for bearing a portion of the cost… and an application
made to the Government for funding to paint the front of the building and
repair window frames was granted.
“The quarter acre section formerly occupied by the Government
Agent’s office in Arawa Street., has been granted by the Government as a site
for a new Library, free of cost, but it is not yet gazetted. It rests with the
members, and the general public of Rotorua as to what steps shall be taken to
utilise it”
The income for the year is noted as £79 14s 5p and their
expenditure is also £79 14s 5p. So no money is wasted!
Later in the report of Mr Malfroy he records the following
“in regard to the new Library site he was pleased to find that the
Surveyor-General had seen fit to keep all the Government buildings, so far, on
the one block. The site set apart was in his opinion, one of the best in the
town and he hoped means would soon be forthcoming to build an institute which
would be a credit to the place”
The Institute mentioned here is, not the Victoria Institute
building into which the Library moves into by November 1898, it is the Library
building at Ohinemutu which had been opened officially on 10th April
1889 in what was described as an old building next to the Comet Store. The
Victoria Institute was situated on Arawa Street was the next location for the
Library, this building also included Rotorua’s first museum.
Between 1898 and
1940 many additions and changes occurred and on 14 October 1940 the
new library in the Municipal Building was opened with approximately 2000 items
(books and magazines). The children’s library stayed at the Victoria Institute
until the collection was moved in 1941.
To read an overview of the Rotorua Library history 1889 to 2009, click here
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| 125 year Celebrations, Rotorua Library |
Here are a few Local News and Notes published in the Hot
Lakes Chronicle 2nd October 1895:
“Mr W. Rogers has just
received a consignment of prime Canterbury potatoes at his store.”
“The Town Board notify water consumers in arrears with their
fees that unless same be paid by the 15th inst. the supply will be
cut off”
“The telephone posts for the service between the old and new
townships are now being erected, and as soon as the wires are stretched the
instrument will be fixed in Mr Lakin’s shop”
“In looking over a map in the Courthouse the other day the
eye fell on a place called Ngapepeangaowaiwhakanga, situated on the shore of
Lake Okataina. Ngapepe-&c., ought to be utilised as a name for one of our
streets.”
“Mr H. Kirk opened the new butcher’s shop which has been
erected for him on Fenton Street…. The fittings and general appearance of the
shop reflect the greatest credit on the contractor. The walls of the office are
of mottled Tawa which bears a strong resemblance to English Oak and the ceiling
is of Rimu from Messrs Kusabs yards. The ceiling of the shop, which is very
lofty, is composed of alternate planks of black and white varnished Tawa and a
pretty pattern of paper covers the walls.”
“…Mr Clarke (C.A.C. Clarke) is a deft manipulator of all that
is enticing in the way of harmless ‘refreshers’, the knowledge of which fact
opens up a vista of happiness for even the most rabid Prohibitionist during the
coming sultry summer months.”
And last but not least J
“The Library Committee handed in an estimate of the cost of
renovating the building. A sum of £7 was asked for, but it was explained that
this would only meet urgent requirements as three times that amount could be
spent to great advantage”
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| Moving Day, from our 21 year tenancy of the Masonic Building to 1127 Haupapa Street. November 1991. |
With thanks to Papers Past for online access to this Rotorua Newspaper.
This blog post compiled by Alison.
