LYTTELTON COLONISTS’ SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 231, 6 March 1875, Page 3

LYTTELTON COLONISTS’ SOCIETY.

A meeting of the society was held on Thursday last. Messrs H. N. Nalder, Graham, Fyfe, Cunningham, Willcox, Hobbs, Phillips, Jacobson, Webb, and Rich, hon secretary, were present. The president asked leave to retire, as he was indisposed.

Mr H. N. Nalder was then asked to take the chair, and consented. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr J. B. Stansell, saying he should like to form a class for vocal music in Lyttelton, and wished for the use of the hall for that purpose every Thursday night. The term would be completed in eight months, and he proposed to commence early in March.

Messrs H. R. Webb and others spoke in favor {of Mr Stansell being allowed the use

of the hall on Thursday night at a low price, but it was objected to by others on the ground that Thursday was the night the hall was usually let, and also that many young people visited Christchurch that evening, as it was the late train night.

It was eventually moved, seconded, and carried, “ That Mr Stansell be allowed the use of the hall at a low figure on any other night but Thursday for the purpose of holding a class for vocal music. A discussion then took place re printing the catalogues, and the matter was deferred for further inquiries to be made. Mr Fyfe then stated that the following amounts had been received during the month of February:—Rent of hall, £5 ss; piano fund, 7s 6d; subscriptions, £6 3s 6d, The treasurer further stated that he had transferred £l4 3s 4d to the credit of the piano fund. The balance to the credit of the general fund was £79 7s 9d. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £3 6s 6d.

Mr H. R. Webb said that now the Provincial Council were about meeting, it was a question whether they had not better make their reading room and also the works of reference free to all. At present they were merely a lending library and not forwarding education. It was better to make it free as in Christchurch.

The chairman pointed out that this was a matter for subscribers to decide.

After a lengthy discussion, the following resolution was carried :—“ That the committee recommend the subscribers of the society to throw open to the public the readingroom and reference library free, if the Government will give a suitable annual grant to the institution, and that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Provincial Executive.”

A discussion then took place regarding the feasability of getting gentlemen to lecture in the hall, and it was proposed and carried —“ That Mr Webb be instructed to see the other members of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College, to request that some of the professors be allowed to give lectures at the institution provided they are willing to do so.” It was determined that the winter entertainments should be carried out, and that the first should be held on Friday, April 2nd, and that the entertainment committee consist of the officers of the society and Messrs Phillips and Boddington. Messrs Edge and Boddington having been elected members of committee, in the place of Messrs Plummer and the Rev P. Pember, the meeting adjourned.