C ] 



and scientific Institutions and Societies, and solicit that assistance which the 

 promoters of learning and science are always ready to give; and they if 

 supported as they expect to be hope that in a short time, in addition to an 

 extensive collection of English general literature, they may, through the 

 instrumentality of the representatives of the ministers of different Foreign States, 

 succeed in possessing themselves of that of other countries, as well as of a body 

 of authentic official information emanating from the departments of the useful arts, 

 commerce, education, crime, and social and economical statistics. 



The misfortune of the lapse of the votes for 1854 and 1855, may be 

 repaired by the honorable the Legislative Council, with the sanction of your 

 Excellency, making up the deficiency. Such a recognition of the value of 

 this Institution, none will acknowledge more gratefully than 



The Trustees, 

 REDMOND BARRY. 

 WILLIAM FOSTER STAWELL. 

 JAMES FREDERICK PALMER. 

 HUGH CULLING EARDLEY CHILDERS. 

 DAVID CHARTERIS McARTHUR. 



HIS EXCELLENCY 



Briefly expressed his satisfaction at the account given by the Trustees, and 

 formally declared that the Reading Room be thenceforth opened to the Public 

 that admission be free to all persons above the age of fourteen years, without 

 the necessity for letters of recommendation, or the production of reference as to 

 social condition that Readers be admitted between the hours of 10 a. m. and 

 4 p. m., and be allowed to take from the shelves such books as they may 

 require. 



The Library was accordingly opened. The Increase of Books and of Readers, 

 the Extension of Time for Reading, the Enlargement of the Building, the 

 Expansion of the Institution, with other particulars, may be learned from the 

 Address of the Trustees which follows. 



The next opportunity afforded to the Trustees was on Tuesday, May 24th, 

 1859, being the Birthday of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen; when his 

 Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., Governor-in-Chief of the Colony, opened 

 the "Queen's Reading Room." 



