Click photo to enlarge
Mrs Davidson, wife of the president, rolling the first bowl
at the Mornington Club's green on November 13. - Otago
Witness, 24.11.1909.
With some degree of ceremony, as befitted the occasion,
the Reference Library established in connection with the
Carnegie Free Public Library was opened yesterday afternoon by
his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. H. Walker).
There was a very representative gathering of educational men
and interested citizens amongst whom were not a few ladies.
As one of the speakers pointed out, the Reference Library is
being started under fairly auspicious circumstances.
When the present fine Edinburgh library was started in 1580
it possessed but 300 books; our library starts with not less
than 3000.
These books are housed upstairs in a fine airy chamber round
the walls of which, in methodical array, are grouped the
works themselves.
These are systematically arranged under the different
headings of philosophy, philology, religion, sociology,
natural science, useful arts, fine arts, literature, history,
and general works.
In addition, there are sections for biography and New Zealand
works.
• The Forbury Park Racecourse has latterly been bearing a
very animated appearance, as training operations for the
opening meeting of the new track are in full swing.
A recent visit to the course showed that the club had
completed the task of presenting the sporting public with an
up-to-date racecourse replete with every convenience.
The grand stand has been fitted out with backs to each tier
of seats, and the appointments in both closures have been
completely renovated and made as good as new.
The re-turfing and topdressing of the lawn has been rewarded
by the appearance of a generous growth of grass, pleasing to
the eye and pleasant to walk upon, while the general aspect
of the new course is such that the club will be able to throw
the gates open to the public on Friday with a good deal of
pardonable pride.
The club has wisely removed the bulk of the sand with which
it top-dressed the track as it was originally formed, and
with the exception of a portion of the south turn, where
rather much still remains, the going will be firm and fairly
fast if the weather remains fine.
The new track withstood the assault of the recent wet weather
very well indeed, as with the exception of a couple of small
patches it is almost fit to race upon at the present time. -
ODT, 23.11.1909.
