NELSON INSTITUTE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 52, 1 March 1877, Page 2

NELSON INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting of members was held last night when the balance-sheet and report were read and adopted, the retiring officebearers were re-elected, aud Messrs Dodson, Gully, and G. Hodgson were appointed auditors. The report was read as follows: — Report .* The Committee are glad to be again able to report a considerable increase in the number of members during the past year, the figures being 209 in 1876, against 180 in 1875, and 126 in 1874. They are also iu a position to congratulate the members on the financial condition of the Institute, the Treasurer's account showing a balance in hand at the close of 1876 of £104 4s 9d. It must, however, be observed that this sum is largely composed of the subsidy from Provincial funds which was paid during the past year for a period of one year and nine months, while the receipt of further sums from any similar source is at present altogether uncertain; apd the removal of the Savings Bank from the Institute building has temporarily, at all events, diminished the income from miscellaneous sources. Library. , The number of volumes added to the Library in 1876 was 88. A further number of 44 have since been purchased, and about 100 volumes are daily expected froniEngland. The total number of books at present on the shelves is 3,680, and the funds now at the disposal of the Committee will enable them to continue to make such additions as it is hoped will enable them fo supply the wants of a much larger circle of subscribers. The issue of books duiing 1876 was 7,826, against 6,048 in 1875, and 4,300 in 1874. Of periodicals the issue was 5,460, against 4,158 in 1875, and 3.258 in J.874; figures upon which the Committee thfok it unnecessary to comment. A revised c-italogue is in course of preparation, which will add materially to the convenience of members. Museum. Considerable additions have been made to the Museum during the past year, especially to the co'lection of native birds, which it has been the special endeavor of the Committee to make as complete as possible. The Committee regret however, that this institution must still be considered to be in its infancy aud they hope that the precedent set in the i latp session of Parliament, by the voting of I

ample sums for the maintenance and extension of Museums in other parts of the Colony will be followed in respect of that under their direction. The number of visitors to the Museum during the past twelve mouths has been 900. The Committee append a list of the donations which have been made to the Library and Museum respectively during the year under review. In concluding their report the Committee wish to express their strong appreciation of tlie valuable services of the Librarian, Mr Gilbert, to whose constant zeal and attention to the interests of the Institute, combined with his unvarying urbanity of manner, much of its improved condition is undoubtedly to be attributed. Jno. Percy, Hon. Sec. February 27, 1877. The following details, which do not appear in the report, were supplied by the librarian: The total number of volumes in the library on December 31, 1875, was 3548, and there were added during the past year 88, making a total of 3636. Of these, 59 were purchased by the Committee -43 being fiction, one historical, one scientific, four books of travel, and ten miscellaneous. The remaining 29 were given by subscribers, namely— Three volumes " Percy Reliques," by Mr J. Percy; one novel, by Dr Squires; one "Hogg's Poems," by Mr W. C. Hodgson; four " Voyages De La Perouse," by Dr Irvine; twenty '.' Encyclopedia Britannica," by the late Mr C. Wilson. Seventy-six volumes are expected from England. — The following specimens have been contributed to the Museum during the past year: 1. A land rail, by Mr Catley. 2. A ship block, from the s.s. Hibernia. 3. A pair of rock lizards, by Mr Mirfin. 4. A piece of lignite, found fourteen feet below the surface of a hill (Haven road), by Mr Jones. 5. A large piece of cupreous silver ore, from the Richmond Hill mine, Collingwood, by Mr H. D. Jackson. 6. A piece of silver ore from the Rangitoto mine, by Mr Stanton. 7. Fine specimens of coke made from Grey coal, by Messrs Hooper & Dodson. 8. A trigger-fish, by Mr Brough. 9. A native cuckoo, by Mr Huddleston, junior. 10. A " stalachtite and a stalagmite of sulphate of iron," from the Long Drive mine at the Thames, by Mr Walker (through Dr Squires). 11. A fine piece of "obsidian," by Mr Hall (through Dr Squires;. 12. A coin and a medal, by the late Mr Coleman. 13. A pair of Indian water bags and a water-worn stone, by Mr J. B. Watson. 14. A kiwi (Apteryx Mantelli), by Mr T. Gilbert, sen. 15. Specimens of manufactured flax (phormium tenax) by Mr N. T. Loekhart. 16. " Thompson's History of Boston" and a madrapore (coral), by Mrs Green. 1 7. A porcupine fish (Diodon hystrix), by Mr T. T. Gilbert, junior. 18. Several specimens of incrusted fern, moss, wood, &c, from the hot springs, Taupo, by Mr Crossman. Mr Dodson moved that it be a recommendation to the Committee to hold an exhibition of works of art in aid of the library fund. This having been carried, the Committee met at the close of the general meeting, and appointed a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Boor, Irvine, Percy, aud Pollock, to prepare a programme of the proposed exhibition.