DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM.

Evening Star, Issue 3715, 19 January 1875, Page 2

DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM.

A meeting of the committee of this institution was held last evening ; present—Mr A. T>. Lubecki (in the chair), the Rev. R. L Stanford, Messrs W. N. Blair, J. Logan, W. B. Stewart, R. Stout, and D. R. Hay (secretary, Mr Blair and the Rev. Mr Stanford expressed the opinion tfi?,t the institution should be open on all holiday. The latter said it would be hard lines for Mr Blaejr., but it was remarked that the Sunday man might look after the place on such occasions. Mr Stout submitted the draft report and balance-sheet to be laid before the approaching annual meeting. The former cannot yet bo published, but from the latter we find that liabilities are I 21, for deposits in hand ; the assets are as follows :—Land and building in Octagon, L 5,000 ; book account December 31, 1873, books since added, LlB9 Is 7d; estimated balance in hands of London agent, L 37 0; subscriptions in , arrear, Ll9 ; rents overdue, L 23 8a ; balance & bank, 1.43 4s 6d—total, L 7,494 14s Id. the receipts during the year were ; -Balance from 1873, L 565 Os lid; subscriptions, L 1.030 l(is; rents, LI9O 9s 6d; deposits, LO2; catalogues, <Src., sold, Lti 18s—total, LI,B-55 4s sd. The expenditure Debentures paid 0,2", L 50 0; gas, L 79 17a 3d ; insurance, coals,' rates, printing, *c., LB7 9s 3d ; salaries and allowances, L33G Is ; remitted to London agent for purchase of books. L 550 ; books purchased in Colony, L3O Us 9d ; binding and stationery, L 35 17s 3d ; repairs and alterations to buildings, L6l 2s (id ; furniture and fittings, L4B Is ; deposits refunded, L4l; newspapers purchased in t

C©l«ny, L4l I9s lid ; balance in bank December 31, 1874, L 43 4i G.l; total, L 1,853 4a sd.

On the motion of Mr Hay it was resolved to forward LIOU to the London agent for the purchase of books. A number of suggestions by members, for the purchase of new works, were read and dealt with. Some of these it was decided to purchase, but a large number were vetoed. Amongst the latter were ‘The Free Sunday Advocate.’ ‘Views of the Deity,’ ‘lhe Deity : What is He ?’ and works of a similar nature ; the llev. Mr Stanford remarking that the Athenaeum was too full of such already, and that he believed the suggestors merely entered them to see what would he done by the committee. Two of Mr J. G. S. Grant’s works, presented by Mr C. K. Chapman, were declined with thanks. Tho question of fitting up the lower hal as a billiard room was considered, but the large expense to be incurred prevented its being agreed to. A member had suggested that packs of cards for playing cribbage and bezique should be provided in one of the lower rooms.— Mr Blair said he was in favor of bezique cards being furnished.—Mr Stout would be in favor of both if no gambling were permitted, —I he other members were all in favor of the suggestion, and it was decided that cards bo provided—a placard notifying that no g -mbUng would be allowed to be posted in the room, and members of commn.tee to drop in when convenient and see that the rale was adhered to.

Ihe annual meeting was fixed for Friday, the 29th inst., at 7.30 p m.