RANGIORA LITERARY INSTITUTE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1657, 12 June 1879, Page 3

RANGIORA LITERARY INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting of mombors of this institute was held on Tuesday evening, and was but poorly attended. The president of the institute, Mr C. Merton, occupied the chair, and expressed his regret that there was not a larger attendance. Mr Thomas Boyd, hon. secretary, read the report of the committee for the past twelve months. It referred to the unfavorable circumstances under which the year was commenced, the institute being in debt, and several members of the committee declined to allow themselves to bo re-elected, and of those who were elected two had left the district, viz, Mr Martin, who had acted as secretary for some time, and Mr Oalder, who only attended one or two meetings of the committee. The debt of the institute amounted to about £BO, and a shipment of boots arrived from England which made the debt about ,£125. Of this a considerable portion had been paid off, and the committee has given an acceptance for the balance, £SO, which will shortly be due. Efforts have been made during the year to reduce the debt by a concert and a ball with a measure of success, and Mr Merton has promised to give a concert in aid of the institute shortly. The librarian, Captain Wycherly, having resigned, Mr Atkinson was appointed in his place, and ho has resigned, and Mr Haworth has been elected to the office, and is carrying out his duties satisfactorily. The Borough Council having called for tenders for the use of a room in which to hold its meetings, that of the institute was accepted at a rent of £2O per annum, A grant of £25 4s Id was received a mouth or two ago from the General Government, on the understanding that the reading room should be open to the public free of charge, and a resolution was accordingly passed to that effect. The attendance at the reading room has greatly increased since doing ao, but many of those attending have not become subscribers. The committee has been desirous of improving the lighting of the ball, and would like to obtain a gas making machine for that purpose, but want of funds has prevented them doing so as yet. Mr E. R. Good, the treasurer, read a statement of accounts which have been audited by Mr Peele. Receipts, by balance, June, 1878, £3B 4s7d; Government grant, £25 4s Id ; rent of hall, £6l 7s ; concert, £8 9s 3d; waste paper, £1 19a: interest, &c., £1 la 4d; paid in by committee to Bank of Hew Zealand, £SO; subscriptions, £4l 10s; total, £227 15s 3d. Expenditure —Balance on building, £BO Is 41 ; incidental expenses, £22 16s ; papers, £22 18s 6d ; salary, £3O 16s; advertising and printing, £8 14s 4d ; tuning piano, £1 Is ; B ink interest, £1 ; insurance, £l2 5s j books, £43 10s lid : balance, £4 12s 2d ; total, £227 15s 3d. He stated that the liabilities amounted to about £6O, and money now in hand about £2O. On the motion of Mr Ellis, the report and statement of accounts were received and adopted. Mr Cunningham proposed a vote of thanks to the president, treasurer, and secretary for their efficient services during the past year. Carried unanimously. Mr Good then proposed that the old committee be re-elected. As there did not appear to be any one else desirous of aerving on the committee, the motion was agreed to nem, con. Mr 0. Merton was again re-elected president for the ensuing twelve months, and Messrs Good and Boyd were reelected to their respective offices of treasurer and secretary. On the motion of Mr Good, it was decided that for the future the letting of the hall shall be a part of Mr Boyd’s duties. Some suggestions were made with reference to holding an entertainment shortly, and one or two of the committee promised to communicate with some outside talent, asking their assistance. The meeting then adjourned.