The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1880-03-24

the library at the Government House was, SO
far as l am aware, the only collection OF books
in the kingdom, which was accessible to the
general public. That library, independently
of law books, which l understand belong to
the Supreme Court, consists of only about 500
volumes, many of them it is true of considera-
BILE value, but confined mostly to few lines
of subjects. These books are in place not of
convenient access to the bulk of our people,
they cannot be taken from the room and the
library is only open during the business hours
of the day. In view of these facts, it was,
think clearly evident to all intelligent and
liberal minded citizens who had given the
matter their attention, that first class public
reading room and circulating library COM
bined, (that is to say, first-class in proportion
to the size and Importance of the placel was a
great public want, and the absence of any such
institution or of any attempt towards provid-
ing one, serious discredit to the liberality
and public spirit of our people. So thinking
and so feeling, a few gentlemen whose names
deserve to be held in grateful remembrance,
inaugurated only about one year ago, the en-
terprise which after various discussions and
consultations, finally took shape as the Ho-
nolulu Library and Reading Room Associa-
ton" In the rooms of this institution we are
now assembled, amid the visible and tangible
evidences of its enterprise and prosperity.
And now ladies and gentlemen, as you know,
every story should have a moral and every
sermon its practical application, and although
these somewhat rambling and discursive re-
marks are hardly either story or sermon,
they have not been entirely without some
what definite purpose, at least in the mind of
the speaker. If have spoken to you at some
length of the libraries of other lands and of
dove ri has haa IN he hon thaNT
might thereby lead your minds up to an in
telligent and practical interest in the germ of
similar Institution which we are here endeav-
oring to foster. By calling your attention to
the grand results which in many instances
have sprung from beginnings much smaller
than those before you, hope TO encourage
you to take this infant enterprise to the arms
of your confidence and liberality. l shall not
insult the intelligence of such an audience by
offering any argument TO prove the necessity
for public library and reading room in
place like Honolulu, the capital and CONNER
cal centre of kingdom. Its inception had
been already too long delayed, and its failure
from any cause whatever would be nothing
less than public disgrace. The only peril
nent questions in the premises are these:
First-Has this institution been founded on a
sound ana proper basis and iS.cond-Is its
support? On both these points, hesitate not
to affirm, the answer must on any fair inquiry
be decidedly in the affirmative. In the first
place the plan and purpose of this organiza-
ton is i'll every respect as broad and catholic
as it was possible to make it. The membership
and the holding of Office is open on equal terms
to all, without the slightest distinction of race,
sex, creed, nationality or party. The rooms
are open every day and evening in the year,
Sundays included. Any books, papers or pc
riodicals fit to be read by respectable people,
are welcome to our shelves and reading tables.
Our members and visitors are not confined to
reading alone but are at perfect liberty to
amuse themselves in any way not inconsistent
with the general decorum and good order
necessary in such place, and finally our dues
ore fixed al the lowest point consistent with
the purpose of making the society self-sup-
porting. In the second place | think l can
safely say that both under the present officers
and under their predecessors as well, the
management of the society's affairs has been
in full accord with the plan and purpose above
described, and if they have not been able to
accomplish all that they could have wished,
they have done all that has seemed practical
BILE under existing circumstances, and consid-
ering the brief time that has elapsed, much
more than could have been reasonably expec-
ted. On Saturday evening April Sd, there
will be held in this room, the first annual
meeting of this Association, and on that occa-
sion there will be laid before you full and
detailed report of all its transactions during
the first year of its existence. l will only say
in general way that its success thus far both
numerical and financial has been satisfactory,
and that its present condition and future pros
poets are in every way encouraging.
And now in conclusion, it only remains for
me to thank you for your attendance and your
attention, and to add that if have been the
means of furnishing my hearers with either
instruction or entertainment, l am amply re-
paid for my time and trouble. If in addition
to this l have succeeded in awakening in any
mind an interest in this our home enterprise,
or of quickening and increasing an interest
where it already existed, l shall deem myself
still more fortunate and happy