278 The Library. regulations may give you a discretion to refuse any proposed guarantor, but unless the regulations so provide, " lodgers" are not prohibited from guaranteeing others, though their security is not the best, as they are less likely to stay in the town. I think your regulations should provide that a guarantor must be a resident householder in the district. This subject is entirely one for regulation, and is not affected by the statutes. As regards the charge for tickets, I presume the charge is made under a regulation. I do not go the length of saying it is illegal, but I am certainly of opinion that any inhabitant who refused to pay the charge would still be entitled to the free use of the books in the lending library. Possibly the court might hold that it was a reasonable regulation, but I think not, and can hardly see how it can be made out that this complies with the statute which provides that inhabitants may use the library with- out charge. USE OF LENDING LIBRARIES. Answer. I know nothing of the opinion of Counsel on the Wigan question, to which you refer me. The use of a lending library is limited to the inhabitants of the district, but the library authority may, if they think fit, grant the use of a lending library to persons not being inhabi- tants of the district either gratuitously or for payment (see section n (3) Public Libraries Act, 1890). This provision, as pointed out in Public Library Legislation (p. 15), is new. LIBRARIES ACT IN PARISHES. Answer. The Parish Councils Act changes the method for adopting the Act in a Parish only, namely by ballot instead of by voting papers. I am preparing an article upon its whole effect which I shall probably read at the Annual Meeting of the Association, of which I presume you are a member. It is impossible for me to go into greater detail at present. ADOPTION OF ACT. Answer. i. The requisition is to be delivered to the Overseers (see section 3(1) (6) of the. Public Libraries Act, 1892). 2. There is no time fixed by the Act within which the poll must be taken. Hffafrs at NEARLY a quarter of a century has elapsed since Leeds determined in the face of much selfish and unreasoning opposition to adopt the Libraries Act. The great work now accomplished should be regarded with pride by the citizens for, in addition to a large collection of books, a Fine Art Gallery and a Museum have been established. And yet the penny rate has never been exceeded. But it must be increased, lest the Library, the Art Gallery, or the Museum, be seriously curtailed. The committee finds itself in this difficulty : Leeds covers so great an areano less than eight miles across that no fewer than twenty-one branch libraries have been opened to meet the demands of the citizens. In addition libraries of 200 vols. have been supplied to 31 Board Schools, and (just recently) 100 vols. have been placed in six church schools. Other extensions and improvements have also been effected in
