LYTTELTON COLONISTS’ SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 725, 16 October 1876, Page 3

LYTTELTON COLONISTS’ SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of this society took place at the Colonists’ Hall on Thursday evening last. The attendance was fair, Dr Bouse, president of the institution, occupying the chair. The following report was then read : " Since the last annual general meeting of the society your committee have curried out in the hall and library additions and improvements on a considerable scale, and of a nature that they considered, after mature deliberation, would be beneficial to the interests of the society. The proscenium and scenery, which were badly in need of repairs, have been thoroughly renovated by a competent artist, rendering them available for any dramatic entertainment; the walls have been repaired, papered, and varnished, gas has been introduced throughout the building, and the seating has been improved by the purchase of 100 chairs, those formerly in use there having been transferred to the reading room. In the reading room itself additions have been made to the supply of Australian newspapers, and a system of keeping files of the papers most used for reference has been carried out. The entire rearrangement of the books in the library, with the necessary alterations in shelving, &c, have been carried out most satisfactorily under the superintendence of. Mr Joyce, who has kindly devoted a great deal of time and trouble to the work, and has also compiled a new catalogue, in which the various works have been arranged with great care and judgment. The addition in numbers to the books in the library amounts to about 400 vols, of which £IOO in value have been contributed by the Provincial Government of Canterbury, from whom also a grant of £IOO was received in the month of July. On the 18th of May, at a special general meeting of the Society con rened for the purpose, it was decided to place the Society under the Public Libraries Act. A deed for this purpose has been prepared by Mr Nalder in accordance with the provisions of the Act, signed by the officers and committee. The usual winter evening entertainments have been held during the season, and the entertainment sub-committee have to thank the ladies and gentlemen who have kindly given their services. At the committee meeting held on the 4th instant, it was decided that the office of secretary should be a paid one. Your committee consider that the hearty thanks of the Society are due to Mr Joyce for his exertions in connection with the library. “ John T. Bouse, President.”

The treasurer, Mr Joyce, then read the balance sheet, which had been duly audited by Messrs Fyfe and Jacobsen, from which it appeared that there was a credit balance at the Bank of £57 14s Id. The treasurer further stated there was a sum of £36 belonging to the Association invested in Building Society’s shares, and subscriptions in arrear which they might consider as good money, amounting to £4O, so that altogether there was about £l3O to the credit of the Society. Mr J. 0. Boddington moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet.

Mr H. R Webb seconded the resolution. He thought the Society was much to be congratulated on the position in which it Stood, Great improvements had been effected, and they had still a good balance. Besides the grants mentioned in the report, there was another £ll or £l2 worth of books which had been procured through the Provincial Government, which he understood they did not intend to charge the Society with. Whether under new arrangements they would receive aid in the future remained to be seen, but he believed that it was proposed to have a grant for libraries for the next three months, and if so Lyttelton would have her share. They now had a really good library in Lyttelton, second only to the Public Library in Christchurch, and he was sony to see that more people did not avail themselves of it, by joining the Society. There was a comfortable room with newspapers and periodicals from many parts of the world and he wonde r ed the society did not receive greater support. If they were left to their own resources with their piesent number of members, he was afraid they would not be able to carry on. If each of the members would only persuade one other to join, the number of subscribers would be double. Mr Joyce deserved their heartiest thanks, for he had devoted a great deal both of time and tnublc to the re-arrangement of the library, ltd his labors had been crowned with the jifpest success, as the books were now in Muirablp order and properly catalogued. Te ladies and gentlemen also who had aiated at the winter evening entertainnuts, and in so doing added in no small duee to the income of the society, deserved ttr warmest thanks, and he wished partidarly to mention one lady, who though reding at a distance from the hall, had coe thiougb muddy roads and in bad wcher to tielp them on several occasions. Hoegged to second Mr Bodaington’s resolam. Carried. ic nueling then proceeded to elect ofibrs and committee for the ensuing year

The chairman said a severe cold prevented Mr H. N. Nalder from being present that evening, but that he understood from him that he was willing to accept the presidentship. The following officers were then elected : President, Mr H. N. Nalder ; Vice-President, Mr A. Joyce ; Treasurer, Mr J. 0. Boddington ; Secretary, Mr 0. A. Rich. Committee— Messrs Rouse, Webb, Walker, Little, Edge, McDonald, Griffin, Jacobson, Lance, Fyfe, F. Graham, and Rouse. Dr Rouse then vacated the chair, which in the absence of Mr Nalder, the new President, was taken by Mr Joyce. That gentleman said great improvements had been effected in the hall during the past year, and urged upon members the importance of persuading others to join the institution. As outgoing treasurer he had to complain of members leaving the society without giving any notice of doing so ; by this means the accounts got into confusion. He hoped that before the end of the year there would be 150 subscribers instead of 100 as at present. He thanked them heartily for the way in which his name had been mentioned. He took great interest in the society, and what he had done had been solely with a view to its benefit. (Applause.) Mr J. C. Boddington then rose to move the notice of motion standing in his name—- “ That in rule 6 the word Wednesday be substituted for Thursday.” He said it was patent to all that Thursday being the late train night was an awkward one for their meeting. He begged to propose—“ That the annual meeting be held on the second Wednesday in October instead of the second Thursday. Messrs H, R. Webb and H. Allwright both strongly opposed the alteration, the latter stating that a most important meeting took place the second Wedesday in each month. The resolution on being put was lost. Mr J. S. Willcox proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring officers and committee, which was carried.

Mr H. R. Webb proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted at the winter evening readings. This was also carried with acclamation, and the meeting then adjourned.