THE ATHENÆUM.

Evening Star, Issue 4106, 25 April 1876, Page 2

THE ATHENÆUM.

The special meeting of members last night* to consider the question of enlarging the building, was attended by only forty persons ; the vice-president (the Rev. Mr Stanford) occupying the chair.

Mr W. N. Blair explained the two propositions that were before the meeting One was to add 25ft to the rear of the building which would make the lower hall 60ft by 36ft instead of 35ft by 36ft; increase the library upstairs from 35ft by 18ft to 60ft by 18ft, leaving the small rooms downstairs ae they are at present, but an additional classroom, 24ft by 17ft, would bo obtained behind. The other plan was that of the VicePresident, who suggested that the lower hall should be converted into a library j that - the old staircase should be done away with, and the upper part of the space now occupied by it added to the ladies’ room, thelength of which would be thereby by 10ft. The lower part of the staircase would be used for storeroom purposes, the screen which at present exists between the reading-room and library to be down. The first plan would cost LI, 100, and the second only L2OO. The book space in the lower hall would be in excess of that of the present library. Exception was taken to both plans by Mr D. Ross, Captain Hutton, and Mr Wales, the latter contending that the institution was not in such a strong fimuiftjul position that it could afford to spend Ll,ooo on buildings, and moving that there was no necessity for making any alterations at present.

Mr Lubecki moved as an amendment “ That the Committee be instructed to use their best endeavors to enrol as many life members as possible, and that as soon as LSOO be obtained from such the Committee be authorised to enlarge the Athenaeum, at a cost of not more than L 1,500.” In the town of Invercargill, which was but a small place, they had. recently built a new Athenaeum, and bad 120 life members, whose subscriptions amounted in tbe aggregate to Ll2O, and these were persons who only visited the town occasionally. Dunedin should follow in the footsteps of Invercargill in thin respect, as he did not think by doing so the ordinary revenue of the institution would be demised. He was totally opposed to the proposal to convert the lower hall into a library, as he considered it quite unsuitable for such a purpose. Mr N. Y. A. Walks asked for information as to ways and means, and observed t hat no necessity for alteration had yet been shown. The Chairman said as to tho qnwition of necessity, the committee were governed by resolutions passed at tbe January n meeting. Walks thought there was room for 700 additions 1 volumes in the presi mt library on the tops of the bookshelves, ar ( d that the institution should wait a year cit two and accumulate more funds before . expending LI, 100 or L 1,200 on buildings. After some further discussion Mr D. R. Hay expressed the opinion that the meeting, should adjourn for a fortnight, as so smalla gathering could not be held, to represent a thousand members. Mr Stout seconded Mr Hav-’s motion, remarking that he thought their monetary position at present was scarcely such as to t ?“ T extending the building; but staU he did not agree with those members who thought it large Enough to serve for ae* yerai years to come. He did not agree with the objections urged against the conversion of the lower hall, there could be no difficuifcy ffi er a n ew -staircase was made. Mr Waxes ■wit‘ l kfi rew his motion in favor ot that for ad journment for a fortnight. 1 which was put and carried unanimously.