The Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4028, 25 January 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1876.

It is gratifying to learn from the report of tbe Athenaeum Committee that the institution is in prosperous circumstances, notwithstanding the stated falling-off in the list of subscribers. We should have been glad, however, to have seen a much larger increase in the number of permanent members than has taken place. On examination of the statistics presented by the Honorary Secretary it will be seen that, in comparison with 1875, the whole number of what may be esteemed permanent readers has only increased by about twenty-seven. This is scarcely what might have been expected in a City annually adding largely to its population. The reported falling-off of 207 subscribers merely represents the temporary rush of a swamping majority, who enrolled themselves to carry a particular resolution. As an instance of the interest taken by the people in the management of a quasi public institution, such an incident is significant. In this particular instance, we belie re the object accomplished by so extraordinary a proceeding was a laudable one, however questionable the means. We are not, however, believers in doing evil that good may oome, and it is just possible that similar outside help might be obtained on a question involving undesirable consequences. Of this there is no likelihood with committees like those appointed during the last few years; and the choice made at last night’s meeting gives promise of equally efficient management. The danger that forces itself upon attention from the ease with which votes are obtained by any party sufficiently strong to form a cabal, is that of a possible election of a committee appointed for a specific object, or of carrying some resolution disapproved of by the majority of permanent subscribers. Nor is this danger merely imaginary. We know no institution in Dunedin in which debates as to management have been so keen and so well-contested as those concerning the Athenaeum. Questions of business, of finance, of architecture, of sociology, and of literature have successively cropped up, and each one of these was capable of being decided by a few votes gathered from those whose slender interest extended to helping a zealous friend at the expense of a few shillings paid by one or other of the pair—we do not pretend to say which. The case is precisely analogous to swamping a majority in a House of Lords or a Legislative Council with nominees appointed for the special purpose. Testing small things by great involving a like principle, it is evident there should be some limitation to this power. In Legislatures the control vests in tbe supreme head. To him is committed the responsibility of so grave an act, and very rarely has a monarch or a governor dared to exercise the

pnvrlegr*. what kings fir* ■? rtilr ts dtue net do ou account of the pudl ic odium that would attach to their coi iduct, has evidently been done by nun ibers connected with the Athenamuo-, without, apparently, it being considorei 1 any utlier than a clover cl.idjfrj on the part of those who thus enabled to steal a t&.arcb on their opponents. Two hu.ndred I votes seem to bo very easily obtained. The majority of them appear to have been gathered from the higlv.vays and hedges, and the voters have walked in and voted without taking the slightest further interest in the success of the institution. Having fulfilled the object for which their aid was sought, they cared nothing beyond. The books nor the reading-room had a charm for them. They did what they were engaged to do and left the Athenaeum to sink or swim. The fact thus made apparent points to some qualification being needed to entitle subscribers to a vote. For instance, permanency of subscription annually or half-yearly, or having been a member so many months, or some other test by which mere ephemeral subscribers may not be empowered to over-ride the interests of those who find profit and pleasure in t aeir connection with the institution. The fact that, thus far, probably more good than harm has resulted from the latitude given to the expression of public opinion in the management of the institution, should not be considered an argument in favor of so loose a system being continued. Year by year the Athenseum is becoming of more consequence to the inhabitants of the City, and proportionately increased care should be displayed in securing its usefulness from being destroyed by mere faction.