OAMARU ATHENÆEUM AND MECHANICS INSTITUTE.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 43, 15 December 1864, Page 3

OAMARU ATHENÆEUM AND MECHANICS INSTITUTE.

meeting was hold, according to requisition to T. Parker Esq., at the Court-houao, Oamaru, on Montvening. According to the prevailing custom of placo, there was but a scanty attendance at the named in the advertisement, though it attained a stable number in the courso of Eho evening.

r Ashcroft, who was voted to the chair, observed fory few remarks wore necessary on a subject such it they were met to discuss—which was to ascortho desirabilty and possibility of forming an 0,111 or Mechanics Institute in Oamaru. And, 1, there seemed to be some doubts as to which of .names should be given to the proposed institution. nicum seemed to imply a more select and exclusive fthan the other, and therefore would not bo so sml to the community ; while a Mechanics Instioffered a wider scope, and would therefore bo more -ally useful. Tho speaker proceeded to deprecate aidito haste, and obsorved that as the Government favorably inclined to the establishment of such ntions as that proposed, they would propably bo ,» to second tho efforts of the inhabitants by a

Itigiam said that most of them had had expeuence c advantages to be dorived from Mechanics InstiThey were in existence everywhere in tho home :rv ; and wherever they had been established, thoir Jiiu-s had been placed boyond a doxibt, and books of fill readier access at homo than in the colonies, hen people came here they left most of their books •J them—thoy weio compelled to do so. Unless such step as that proposed were taken, their Vonceasa con munity would decrease instead of isc: new books must be constantly obtained if jeered to keep up to a proper standard of intelli- . not only for the purpose of relaxation, but also auction. At piesent there was no place where a 5 man could spend a leisure hour, or obtain a liook to read at homo, and he strongly advocated Aliening of a newsroom and libiary as soon as ■Jable. Let them make a beginning, even should j small one, and thoie would be no fear of its .3 The Government would probably assist them ctmga building in couise of time : if say £100 subscribed hcie, the Government would no doubt in equivalent amount. Ho would move— lhat a mica Institute be commenced in the town of ,iii, and that the following gentlemen be appointed .niitteo to invite the public support, and take such measures, as they may think fit in furtherance of bject .-—Messrs Parker, Gibbs, Sumpter, Reid, Black ncr), and the mover." He proposed this lesoluto test the feeling of the meeting as to the ex;cv of the propose'! scheme. l',tikor seconded the motion, observing that_ no jisj was necessary at the outset; all they required -ent would be a newsroom and libiary. It dei on the public what further stops should be

■ Rev A Gifford in referring to the intioductory ■}<of the chairman, commended the adoption of •le of Mechanics Institute in preference to that of jinn, which was a place where the sages of old, irticulaily litoiary scholars read,their oiations, ras of a date 1500 years before the Ohristian era. Ifoehanics Institute on the other hand, did not le amusement, but rather sought to blend instrucnth it. Ho advocated at some length the estab,t n of tho proposed institution ; and observed that ijh the present was scarcely the season when its '» would bo most appreciated, in the winter i it would be found invaluable. Wicroft said that the primary object would be a library ; and even if they found that they could t sufficient support to onable them to establish a Dies Institute, the libiary would always be of use alue; and he should recommend that ladies 1 not be excluded from participating in its s. With regaid to obtaining a suitable room for uposes of a libraiy and newsroom, ho should be tippy to let them have the use of the room at the ihis store, if it would be suitable ; and ho would mler what assistance he could in obtaining books some for them at cost price (hear, heaih motion was then put and carried unanimously. I Bruce observed that in other societies of the ' was tho practice to grant tickets of life momberrtou guineas, and a smaller sum for a ceitain of time—say five years for fivo guineas. Ho ted the adoption of a similar plan on the present n, and he had no doubt several gentlemen would art in the district who would be willing to give iicl) assistance. I*sl ker doubted if it would be fair to endeavor to iuMi a sum without knowing if the scheme would fs-ful or not, Sruce explained that the promises should be at tainrd, and then if all progressed aright, say in wnths the money might be called up. Whcroft said as that matter was delegated to the ttee just appointed it should be left to them, .ad bettei not be in too gieat ahiury. There had Any demands lately on the pmses of the inhabiiwl ten or twelve guineas was a large sum to ask

)ifforcl said it would be best at present merely to rtiiin sum as tho pioposed annual Hiibsci iption, 3d of pecuniary basis for the committee to work 1 leave the consideiation of the other rules to a 'line. rii lively discussion on the pioposed subsenp- ■ bring the matter to an issue Mr Gifford moved it the entrance fee be fixed at 10s and tho annual [jtion (pro tern) at £1." irted by Mr Clendinnen. ■nufsion then took place on tho subject of the (1 entrance fee. Bondigo, Castlemaine, and n were cited as places wheiein no such practice but Mr Ashcioft thought they could scarcely be hv the example of laige and populous towns ; Ulendinnen said it would be necessary, iv order the expense of starting, to have a larger sum mid be i equisite hereafter to keep the institution ■ing order. , nice— Surely thpre would bo ton men found in tuct who would subscribe £10 ench a« life meml'luit would be a £100, and tho 10s entrance fee ot be requisite. Uncroft—They say " Example is better than " will you put' your name down for £10. iilibs thought mnny would object to pay the -fee, winch would in fact raise tlxe fiist yeai f ition to aOs. (Hem, hear), <• tans moved -"That theie be no entrance fee." lcrl by Mr Young, aud c.u-i ied. nfcion. as amended, was then put and earned— •lie annual subscription be (pio tern ) £1." was then opened, and the following names wore ,n for £1 each ;—Messrs Ashcioft, Clendinnen, Gifford, Sumptor, Paiker, Lemon, Cioker, ;v,ms, Williams, Scott, J. Bruce, Payne, Keid, Unott, C'llder, Munro. vA by Mr J. Bruce, seconded by Mr Payne, rird unanimously-" That the committee be d to adveitise for one month for subscriptions mposed Insfcituto, and that Messrs Piukerton lie requested to allow a subscription list to lie lice of the Oavawj Times for the same period." >ed by Mr Payno, seconded by Mr Giffoid. and unanimously- "That as soon as 150 names bo ns members, the committee be empowered to the first quai tei 'b subscription, and to declare itute formed ; and that W. Black, Esq., bo i to act as Hon. Secictaiy, and John Locke, Treasurer." ■of thanks was passed to the chairman and the rof tho meeting, which wae then adjourned.