THE FRIENDS OF THE WILLIAMS HOUSE,
PAIHIA LIBRARY INC
NEWSLETTER
Issue 3, June 2012
Protecting Our Library Services
In the FNDC 2012 Draft Long Term Plan, Council is considering
whether to reduce services to its smaller libraries. Hours could
possibly be reduced and volunteers used to run the library without
the services of a professional librarian. The Friends have made a
submission to the Long Term Plan expressing the view that this
would be a retrograde step, that Paihia Library is almost at its
capacity and should be expanded and that volunteers alone should
not be expected to run the library especially with the many
compliance requirements involved.
A report on the submissions is expected from the Council on 21 June.
New Lighting
Minor vandalism and graffiti on the stone shed in the grounds has
been a problem in recent times. The Friends are delighted to have
received the support of the Far North District Council to install a
strong new security light at the back of Williams House and the stone
shed. This has now been fitted and we are confident that this will be
a great help in discouraging future vandalism.
The Pump House and Gates
Work is still progressing on restoration of the pump and pump house
near the stone shed. A preliminary inspection of the pump by Kevin
Smith has indicated that the pump is in running condition, but the
leathers on the pump may need replacing in order to pump water.
The bore is an unknown quantity until these repairs are completed
and the pump is able to pump water. Materials are being sourced to
replace the pump house. The ravages of time have taken their toll
and the structure is completely unsound.
The kissing gate is getting a much needed coat of paint. At some
stage the wicket gate near the sheoak tree was removed from its
hinges for reasons unknown. The gate was replaced so that it was on
the wrong side of the post which meant that the gate would only
open about halfway. Somebody obviously took exception to that.
Chairman
Annette Roberts - 402 7711
Secretary
Anne Corbett – 402 7882
Treasurer
Sue Thompson – 402 8511
Committee
Val Cadell, Joy Moore,
Margaret Rasmussen,
Louise Rendall, Keith Roberts,
Ailsa Routley, Barbara Traviss
Membership Fees
Annual membership fees are
now due. Fees are :
$15 per individual member or
$10 per person for two or more
from one family. To become a
friend is easy. Just pick up an
application form from Anne of
Craicor or the Williams House
Garage. Fees can be paid by
cheque, in cash or by direct
credit via the Internet. Details
are on the application form.
We welcome
new members.
This meant that a complete re-build was necessary. This has been
done but, like the kissing gate, it is waiting for better paint-drying
conditions before the gate can be re-hung and the repainting work
completed.
Keith Roberts
Library Happenings
Book Club – held every second Thursday of the month 10.00 – 11.30
am. This is a chance to share your thoughts on favourite books with
other enthusiastic readers. Everyone welcome.
Current Art Exhibition – Fairground, An Exhibition by Northland
Artists – on for the month of June, open library hours
Second Hand Book Sale
The Williams House Garage second hand book sale is held on the first
and third Saturday of each month, weather permitting and on
summer days when cruise ships visit. Winter hours are from 10.00
am until around 3.00 pm. The book sale raises thousands of dollars
annually and proceeds go towards Friends’ projects such as the
purchase of new books and equipment for the library, chairs and
tables for WiFi users, and plants and equipment for the grounds.
We are always grateful for your generous donations of books.
Without them we would not have this valuable source of funds so a
big thank you to all those who help us out. Just a reminder that
books need to be in good order, clean and with no pages missing, so
we can maintain our reputation as a great source of quality books for
locals and visitors. Books can be dropped in to Anne of Craicor or the
Williams House garage or just ring Sue Thompson (402 8511) and she
will pick them up. And thank you once again to the volunteers who
help Sue run the book sale. Your efforts are very much appreciated.
Williams House Garden
Barbara Traviss organises a great team of willing volunteers who help
her maintain the flower gardens. If you would like to help out
occasionally, please phone Barbara (402 7327). Recently Barbara and
her team have been busy filling the gardens with plants for a
beautiful Spring display. An arborist is being organised to prune the
fruit trees, some of which have been producing fruit for many
decades.
The Friends would like to thank David Williamson for the many hours
of work he has put in to tending the vegetable garden. David has
been a loyal supporter of the Friends and looked after the vegetable
garden for several years. Thank you David. We wish you a happy
retirement.
History Trail
The first signs for The Williams
House Gardens History Trail
have been installed. Further
interpretive signs are being
prepared and, once these are
completed, a brochure will be
printed as a guide to the Trail.
The librarians report that they
receive many enquiries from
visitors about the house and
gardens so we expect this to be
a popular addition to the
attractions of Paihia.
Protecting Paradise in Paihia
This fascinating book,
commissioned by the Friends
to recount the social history of
the Williams House, is available
from the Take Note book shop
in Paihia, Paihia Library, the
Williams House Garage 2nd
Hand Book Sale and other
Northland book shops. It is full
of interesting reminiscences
and anecdotes from the
Williams family and friends and
provides a glimpse into a time
when Paihia was a very
different place from the busy
tourist town it is today. It
would make a great gift for
anyone interested in the Bay of
Islands.
The Friends have donated
copies of the book to local
schools and the Paihia Library.
Friends of the Williams House, Paihia Library Inc. PO Box 425, Paihia 0247