THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTE.

Evening Star, Issue 4121, 12 May 1876, Page 3

THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTE.

The meeting last evening of gentlemen convened for the purpose of inaugurating a series of entertainments for the purpose of augmenting the funds of the Benevolent Institution was attended by some fifteen gentlemen, Mr J. Edmond occupying the chair.

A letter from Mr A. J. Towsey, offering his services in connection with the concerts, and the following communication, were received with thanks : We have much pleasure in placing at the disposal of your committee the whole of our new factories for three or four afternoons and evenings for the purpose of any entertainment to be carried out for the benefit of the Dunedin Benevolent Institution, and to further your good object we ore willing to contribute LIOO towards any expense of laying on gas or other extras. Should your committee dc sire it, we will also be happy to give the public the benefit of seeing th» whole of our new machinery in motion at intervals during the course of the entertainments.—Yours faithfully, Guthkic akd Lamuch.

During the conversational proceedings which followed, many suggestions were made as to the form the entertainments shall take, but nothing definite was decided, it being left to a committee consisting of Messrs Edmond, J. Eva, J. Scoular, T. Beverly, Walter, Murray, Fargie, and West to make the arrangements. Mr Geo. Turnbull was appointed hon. treasurer, and Mr W. S. Douglas hon. secretary.

This morning Messrs Edmond, Scoular, West, Eva, Beveridge, Murray, Fargie, and Douglas waited upon his Honor the Superintendent to confer on the above subject. Mr Edmond said that the Interim Committee had accepted the very liberal offer of Messrs Guthrie and Larnach of the uso of their premises for the purposes of the concerts ; and that several sub-committees had been appointed that morning to carry out the same. The deputation "wished to know if his Honor could suggest anything which would assist them further in the matter.

His Honor thought the idea and object a good out. Mr Edmond said the committee expected to raise LI, 000.

His Honor thought that if Blondin could raise L 6.000 they should find no difficulty in getting together LI,OOO. He was sure the Benevolent Institution wanted the money, and the Government were inclined to give them every facility. As to special trains at night he could make no promise. Mr Eva pointed out that the institution was a Provincial arrangement, and did not solely belong to Dunedin. His Honor might assist in the success of the undertaking by granting the committee the use of the paintings in the Council HaU and University Buildings. His Honor replied that those in the University buildings were the property of the University; and those in the Council Hall belonged to the Speaker. He did not like treading on other people's corns. •In conclusion, his Honor promised to communicate with Mr Conyers with regard to late trains. He also consented to his name being added to the list of general committeemen.