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halfpenny in the £ did not produce a sufficient income to
support two libraries, and it became necessary to obtain
the consent of the ratepayers to raise the rate to the maximum
allowed by the Act of Parliament, viz., one penny
in the £. A vote of the Parish was taken in 1891,
which was defeated by a small majority, and in 1893
another poll was taken, which met with a similar result.
The matter was allowed to rest until 1894, when Mr.
Stiles, of Uxbridge Road, communicated with Mr. J.
Passmore Edwards, the well-known philanthropist (and
brother of the late Mr. R. P. Edwards, a former Library
Commissioner), asking his assistance. Mr. Edwards
replied that he would be willing to substantially assist the
scheme providing a guarantee were given that the ratepayers
would do their part.
On 13th March, 1895, the following letter was
received :—
51, Bedford Square, W.C.
March 13 th, 1895.
My Dear Sir,—
I have taken preliminary steps to provide a suitable Branch
Library Building for Hammersmith provided competent local
authority will undertake to maintain the Library under the
provisions of the Free Libraries Act. I should be glad to know
before I go further what prospect or assurance is there that
this will be done ? I can only say that I am ready to perform
my part of the undertaking, and that I shall do it most cheerfully,
when the Commissioners of Hammersmith Public
Libraries, armed with requisite authority, are prepared to do
theirs.
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) J. PASSMORE EDWARDS.
S. Martin, Esq.
A Committee was formed to bring the matter before
the ratepayers, the Parish was canvassed, four public
meetings were held, and in due course the Parish was
polled for the third time on the question of increasing
the Library rate to one penny in the £. The result was
eminently satisfactory, the majority in favour of the
increase being 2,400, thereby showing that the ratepayers
fully appreciated Mr. Edwards' munificent offer.