FIRST LIBKARY FOR RAILWAY MKN IN AUSTRALIA. 543 



"We cannot possibly anticipate to what extent these illustrating 

 processes may yet develope — each is a study, and has cost its author 

 ceaseless thought and care, but nearly all may, I think be regarded 

 as in their infancy. 



Of one thing we may be sure, wood engraving is not likely to 

 become a lost art, but on the contrary the many processes in 

 vogue, whilst they serve to make an existence impossible for 

 mediocrity, stimulate good work, and the true artist in wood 

 engraving will have more appreciation and scope than ever. 



Friday, August 31. 



The following papers were read : — 



1.— THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST LIBRARY 

 IN AUSTRALIA FOR THE GENERAL USE OF 

 RAILWAY MEN. 



By George Macartney, President of the Victorian Railways 

 General Libraiy. 



The railway interests of Australia are becoming of such magnitude, 

 and the mental qualifications of the employes are of such importance 

 to the well-being and comfort of the community at large, that the 

 meeting of the Australasian Association appears to me a fitting 

 time to place on record the fact of the existence of the Victorian 

 Railways General Library — the first of its kind, so far as I have 

 been able to ascertain, in the Australian Colonies. So many of 

 the sciences with which the Association deals may be considered a 

 necessity in the education of railway men, that I need not make 

 any apology for occupying the attention of its members for a few 

 minutes. 



The necessity for the establishment of a comprehensive library in 

 connection with the railways of the sister colony was first submitted 

 to the consideration of the Commissioners about two years ago, 

 and a favoui'able promise was obtained on condition that it be shewn 

 there was a w idespread desire for such an institution ; a committee 

 was nominated consisting of representatives of branches (7) and 

 the various grades of men on daily pay (17), while a circular was 

 issued to all employ«^s throughout the service now numbering over 

 10,000 persons of all ranks. The answers to this circular were very 

 satisfactory, a large majority being in favour of the proposal. A 

 progress report was then submitted to the Commissioners stating, 

 amongst other things, that the Committee's intention w^as to 

 charge only a nominal subscription of 5s. per annum and 2s. 6d. 

 for juniors receiving under £65 per year (this fee is based 



