THE LENDING LIBRARIES. 



In accordance with the announcement in the last report, two lending 

 libraries were opened in October, 1853, one at the North and the other 

 at the South Corporation School. The number of volumes at the 

 commencement was about 2,000, with about 30 readers. After ten 

 months operation the number of volumes in the two libraries amounts 

 to 4,435, with a weekly circulation of 1,080 volumes. 



The readers using these Libraries between the ages of 14 and 21, 

 are 1,111 ; between 21 and 35 — 495; between 35 and 50 — 159 ; above 

 this age — 35, who may be classified as follows : — 



Merchants and Slioj)keepers' Apprentices, Office Lads and School Boys, 659 



Mechanics, Labourers, Warehousemen and Police Officers 684 



Clerks, Shopmen, Teachers, and Scripture Readers 350 



Commission Agents and Ship Brokers 11 



Clergymen 4 



Medical Students, Druggists, and Dentists 12 



Business not ascertained (principally Females) 80 



Males, 1684 ; Females, 116. Total 1800 



Total number of Tickets granted, 1,902 ; of these 64 are still un- 

 called for, and 38 cancelled ; 8 by request of the Guarantees, the 

 remainder from leaving town, and other causes. 



B 



