The Pahiatua Public Library is in a thriving condition. The property is vested in the Borough Council and the rooms are connected with the Council Chambers. The accommodation is somewhat overtaxed, for both the Library and the free reading-room are well patronized. There are about 1200 volumes in good condition; but it must be admitted that the taste of the reading public of Pahiatua is decidedly in favour of the lighter classes of literature. About 100 subscribers pay ten shillinges per annum, and the funds so raised are used to increase the stock of books, the Borough Council paying the salary of the librarian. Mr. F. T. Redman is secretary of the Library.

Mr. Adam Dryden, the Librarian of the Pahiatua Public Library, was born in Dunedin in 1860, and was educated at the Middle District School. A son of the late Mr. George Dryden, grocer, of Russell Street, Dunedin, he was for several years employed in his father's business. In 1880 Mr. Dryden joined the Railway Department, and in fourteen years successively occupied the positions of porter, shunter, signalman, assistant stationmaster and guard. Besides filling the post of librarian he is the night watchman for Pahiatua. In 1888 Mr. Dryden was married to Miss Emmett, daughter of the late Mr. Christopher Emmett, of Riddiford Street, Wellington.

The Pahiatua Municipal Volunteer Fire Brigade was promoted by a few ardent spirits in Pahiatua in 1892, the first captain being Mr. D. A. Pickering. The present strength of the brigade is twenty three all told. The apparatus is one of Shand and Mason's sixteen-men curical machines. The members practise regularly when weather permits. The station is situate in Palmerston North Road, Pahiatua, and is constructed of wood with iron roof. The brigade le receives an annual subsidy of £20 from the Borough Council. The officers for 1896 are:—Captain, Mr. William Brown; lieutenant, Mr. G. T. Avery; foreman, Mr. James Henderson; secretary. Mr. William Beale.

The Pahiatua Volunteer Fire Brigade Band was established in 1890, and consists of fourteen members. The bandmaster is Mr. H. J. Starkey, under whose leadership the band has become most proficient. It meets at the local fire brigade room; on Mondays and Thursdays. The band is much in requisition, and does all the playing at recreation sports and charitable performances. When it was formed in 1890, the band was of very ordinary merit, and consisted of only four instruments, but when Mr. Starkey took it in hand he set to work and brought the band to its present satisfactory condition.

Mr. Horatio John Starkey, Bandmaster of the Pahiatua Volunteer Fire Brigade Band, was born at Sutton, Coldfield, near Birmingham, England, in 1858, and was educatep in London Coming to New Zealand in 1873 by the ship “Clarence',” he settled in Napier, where he learned the cabinetmaking trade with Messrs. Langley and Newman, and was for several years afterwards in their employ. It was at Napier that he developed a talent for music, studying the violin and cornet for many years. While in that town he was a member of the Garrison Band under Major Withers, and on leaving for Pahiatua was the recipient of a gold medal from the members of the band. In addition to his other musical engagements, he is stage manager for the Pahiatua Dramatic Society. On his arrival in Pahiatua he established a cabinet-maker's business, and turns out excellent work. Mr. Starkey is married, and has six children.