LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 592, 12 May 1876, Page 2

LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

A special general meeting to consider the advisability of bringing the society under the Public Libraries Act was held on Wednesday evening last. Dr Rouse, president of the society, in the chair. There was a fair attendance. Mr H. R. Webb said that during the past session a number of institutions of a similar kind to the Colonists' Society had sought Legislative powers to guide them, and instead of a number of different enactments, it was thought better to bring in a general Bill for all such societies. It had struck him that it might have a desirable effect if they brought their institution under this Bill, as the General Assembly would be more likely to give grants to those bodies which were enrolled under it. The Act was a short one, containing only seventeen clauses, and was merely formal, and would not interfere with the present working of the institution. He would read the clauses that affected them. [Read.] It appeared to him no alteration was necessary except an additional rule making it necessary for members to sign a declaration of membership subscribing to the rules. He would propose—" That the committee be instructed to bring the institution under the Public Libraries Powers Act, 1875." Mr H. N. Nalder had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, as he thought it would benefit them, as it would make them a body corporate, with power to sue or be sued. He did not think it would interfere with their present rules, but it was necessary for the committee to look over the Act and consider it fully. He saw that by the Act the power of making bye-laws was vested in trustees, and not in the committee as at present, and there were other points requiring consideration, but, as he said before, the whole gist of the matter was contained in the sth section (read). The change would not interfere with their present rights, but give a certain status to the society. It was a question if they could come under the Act as an established body,, as the 6th section of the Act only mentioned Mechanics' Institutions and Public Libraries, and they were neither. However, no doubt these difficulties could be got over. Mr Joyce supported the resolution. He, as treasurer, could testify to the unsatisfactory state of their present pecuniary arrangements. Their rules now said that the subscriptions had to be paid in advance, and he believed that if any one fell into arrears they could not recover. A case in point had occurred lately. A person had left the town who was twelvemonths in arrear with his subscriptions, and if they asked for the money they would be reminded of their byelaw, which said subscriptions must be paid in advance. If only for this it would be better for them to come under the Act, in order to be able to make people pay. Another point in favor of the resolution was that when under the Act they might reasonably ask the Government to assist them, and the grants would very likely be limited to those bodies incorporated. They had thrown open their reading room to all seamen visiting their port, and as these formed a very large portion of the community it should give them a claim to consideration. It was hardly to be expected that private persons should subscribe to provide papers for such an important class without receiving any aid from the Government. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr H. R. Webb said it was necessary to add a new rule making members sign a declaration of membership. Mr H. N. Nalder said it was a question if they could come under the Act as an old institution, as clause 6 only mentioned public libraries and mechanics' institutes, and they were neither ; but they could come in as a new institution under the 2nd clause, and if so, it was not necessary to send up any bylaws at all. Mr H. Allwright moved :—" That the library committee, with the addition of Mr H. N. Nalder, the vice president, be asked to prepare the whole of the details in connection with the above resolution, and lay the same before a special meeting of the committee to be held on May 17th." This was seconded by Dr Macdonald and carried. The meeting then adjourned.