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Doyleston Libraries
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TitleDoyleston Libraries
DescriptionIt appears that the first collection of books occurred when the Provincial Council (PC) granted £25 in April 1872, to the Ellesmere Mutual Improvement Association (EMIA) for library purposes.
At the next meeting, the EMIA drew up rules and arranged to purchase books. Throughout 1872 books were added.
The PC provided a further £75 in early 1874 for the establishment of a public library building on public land.
Mr. Bluett raised questions at the Council and locals complained about it not being “public” however the building was being erected over the road from the hall in October 1874.
John Lambie Jun, who had been librarian for 3 years, resigned and was replaced by John McLachlan but still under the control of the EMIA.
In June 1875, the PC made it clear that “no further grant should be made until the site had been conveyed to his Honor the Superintendent and the library brought under the Public Libraries' Act”.
The fortune of the library fluctuated over the years.
It was revived around 1887 and a concert was held as the land had still not been paid for. Annual meetings were held and the library was used for a wide range of meetings.
The McLachlan, Rennie and other families kept an interest.
In 1919 the Doyleston community held a bazaar that raised £200 to erect a memorial to the locals who served in the Great War. It was proposed to place a stone monument in Osborne Park but it was deferred when the cost was much greater than expected.
It was 1929 before the subscribers to the War Memorial fund decided to erect a Permanent Memorial Library.
The memorial tablet recording the names of Doyleston people who served in the Great War was unveiled by the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes on 16th February 1930. David Jones, M.P. also spoke at the unveiling.
The chairman of the War Memorial committee, George W.R. Osborne congratulated the contractor, W. Mullon, for his capable work.
The Memorial library was built on the roadside of the 55-year-old first library which was then tendered.
John Charles Giltrap (Jack) was successful and towed it to the garage and section he bought from A.C. Coates.
The two-room library became the Giltrap home.
The subscription was raised to 7/6 for the Memorial library which was open on Saturday evenings from 7-30pm to 9pm.
It continued to be the venue for meetings of the local organisations and card tournaments were held each year.
After it was formed in 1996, the Ellesmere Historical Society renovated the building for use as its headquarters.
The library had gone into recess some years previously.
When the Selwyn District Council offered the Society a room and archival storage beside the Leeston Library, it moved its most valuable records there but it still had some records and equipment in the earthquake-damaged building. The remaining items were moved to the Ellesmere Heritage Park and the building was finally demolished with the memorial tablets being incorporated into a lych gate.
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date24 October 2019SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionIt appears that the first collection of books occurred when the Provincial Council (PC) granted £25 in April 1872, to the Ellesmere Mutual Improvement Association (EMIA) for library purposes. At the next meeting, the EMIA drew up rules and arranged to purchase books. Throughout 1872 books were added.
The PC provided a further £75 in early 1874 for the establishment of a public library building on public land.
Mr. Bluett raised questions at the Council and locals complained about it not being “public” however the building was being erected over the road from the hall in October 1874.
John Lambie Jun, who had been librarian for 3 years, resigned and was replaced by John McLachlan but still under the control of the EMIA.
In June 1875, the PC made it clear that “no further grant should be made until the site had been conveyed to his Honor the Superintendent and the library brought under the Public Libraries' Act”.
The fortune of the library fluctuated over the years.
It was revived around 1887 and a concert was held as the land had still not been paid for. Annual meetings were held and the library was used for a wide range of meetings.
The McLachlan, Rennie and other families kept an interest.
In 1919 the Doyleston community held a bazaar that raised £200 to erect a memorial to the locals who served in the Great War. It was proposed to place a stone monument in Osborne Park but it was deferred when the cost was much greater than expected.
It was 1929 before the subscribers to the War Memorial fund decided to erect a Permanent Memorial Library.
The memorial tablet recording the names of Doyleston people who served in the Great War was unveiled by the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes on 16th February 1930. David Jones, M.P. also spoke at the unveiling.
The chairman of the War Memorial committee, George W.R. Osborne congratulated the contractor, W. Mullon, for his capable work.
The Memorial library was built on the roadside of the 55-year-old first library which was then tendered.
John Charles Giltrap (Jack) was successful and towed it to the garage and section he bought from A.C. Coates.
The two-room library became the Giltrap home.
The subscription was raised to 7/6 for the Memorial library which was open on Saturday evenings from 7-30pm to 9pm.
It continued to be the venue for meetings of the local organisations and card tournaments were held each year.
After it was formed in 1996, the Ellesmere Historical Society renovated the building for use as its headquarters.
The library had gone into recess some years previously.
When the Selwyn District Council offered the Society a room and archival storage beside the Leeston Library, it moved its most valuable records there but it still had some records and equipment in the earthquake-damaged building. The remaining items were moved to the Ellesmere Heritage Park and the building was finally demolished with the memorial tablets being incorporated into a lych gate.
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date24 October 2019SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonClick on the image to add
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Doyleston Libraries (24 October 2019). Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5284