BALCLUTHA ATUENZEUM.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 156, 6 July 1877, Page 5

BALCLUTHA ATUENZEUM.

Th* adjourned mooting of tlie inemb--T.3 of the Abh-. i meum was heid in tho libraiy on VV ednesday evening. There were pre sent: Messrs T. T\. Ritchie (President;, T. Paterson, Nelson, Cossens, ElomiiV'. Campbel!, Rennov, Cramond, and Rev. Knowles.

Tho minute,*, of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Tho Sub-Committee, appointed at last meeting to canvass the township for subscribers, reported that tliey had only been able to (md nine now members.

Mr Campbell said that several parties had declined to become subscribers, as they bad heard that a Committee from the Athenaeum had waited upon Mr Thomson with a view to getting the Government to purchase the building and use it as a Courthouse. In tlie view of the possible sale of the building, parties would not subscribe.

The Chairman explained jbhat the Committee bad been appointee], 'a year ago to see Mr Maitland and others with a view to the sale of the building. It was now admitted by all tliat a great mistake had been committed in erecting the building in a back street, anci that the snecess of the Institution depended upon the site being changed to the main street. If the Government would purchase the building for a Courthouse, for whicli it was in every respect suited, then another building would be got in the most suitable .place. . But of course possession of the building would not be given up until tbe new one was ready, so that the objections to which Mr Campbell referred were utterly without . foundation-.

Mr Fleming called attention to a complaint that had been mado to him by several members, and whicli he regarded sonlcwhat as a breach of faith on the part of the Committee. He understood that at last annual meeting it was understood that the outer door was to be unlocked at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, so tha'- individual members could obtain access to the reading-room on Sundays by means of their latch keys if thoy so desired. It appeared, however, that the outer door was kept locked on Sundays, so that no one could enter.

A long discussion ensued-, from, which it appeared those present were about equally divided in their impressions as to whether such an understanding had or had not been arrived at. Several motions and amendments were made and withdrawn. Ultimately, Rev. Mr Knowles moved that a latch lock be put npon the outer door to open wi}h the same key as the door of the read-ing-room. Mr T. Paterson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The election of office-bearers and Committee was then yn'oceeded with , and resulted asfollows :— President, Mr T. T. Ritchie ; Vice-President, Rev. F. Knowles*; Treasurer, — Turnbull ; .Secretary, Mr A. Grigor. Committee : Messrs J. Cossens, Renner, Kelson, Cramond, James Whyte, .1. Macdonald, T. Paterson, J. 8. Fleming, Rev. J. M'Ara, John Paterson, and ßobt. Ho<"r The meeting then adjourned.