The College library.

The University Reform Association has done good work in calling attention to the lamentable deficiency of the University as regards the libraries of the various Colleges.

Our own College is, apparently, more happily situated in this matter than any of the other University Colleges. Even we, however, have not a library, about which a University could justifiably boast.

In a College which professes to specialise in law, it is surely very damaging, to be obliged to admit that there is not a complete set of the New Zealand Law Reports.

To a College which professes to provide the means of studying English Literature it is interesting to find that there is no complete set of the works of Thackeray, of Dickens, of Smollett, or of Richardson.

Incomplete as our library is, however, it contains sufficient matter to make it exceedingly useful to those of our students who desire to use it.

Unfortunately, however, many of those who attend our College never enter the doors of the library. They page 46 have taken to heart the advice of the notorious southern professor who advised his students to read nothing but his notes, since that was quite enough to enable them to pass the degree examination.

Many of time night students state as an excuse for not using the library, the fact that the whole of the evening is taken up in attendance at lectures. It must be remembered, however, that by depositing one guinea any student may borrow books. Any one, therefore, who is unable to actually attend the library is not thereby debarred from using the books.

The truth is that those who don't use the library are not students in the real sense of the word. They don't read books simply because the pursuit of knowledge does not interest them. They have come here for purely commercial purposes, or possibly to get engaged—College. it is well known, is a good matrimonial market. The best advice that can be given to such people is that they should get married, or get through their examinations. In any case, let them leave the Institution as soon as possible.

Those, however, who have an earnest desire to study will find that all the time which is spent in the library will be amply repaid.