AUCKLAND MECHANICS INSTITUTE.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 618, 17 March 1852, Page 2

AUCKLAND MECHANICS INSTITUTE.

On Friday evening 1 last, the Rev. Thomas Hamer lectured in the Hall of the Institute on " The Advantages and Pleasures of - eicntific Knowledge and Pursuits." The Lecture was tlie first in the present year of the Institute (which commences in February,) and was appropriately of an introductory character, including- a clear, though necessarily rapid, sketch of the leading- branches of useful and entertaining knowledge together with an impressive exhibition of the advantages to be derived from their cultivation, and a number of valuable suggestions as to the .modes in which knowledge may bo most pleasurably acquired, and most profitably employed. We regret to say that this Lecture, like several of those delivered last year, was not as numerously attended as might be desired or expected ; but those who were present were much gratified both by its instructive subject matter, and by the agreeable manner in which it was laid before the audience. With a view to extending the benefits of the Institution, the Committee recently resolved that each Member should, in addition to his own right of admission to the various Lectures, have the privilege of introducing a Lady, free of charge. An increased facility for the immediate enrolment of new Members was also arranged at a geneial Meeting of the Subscribers, held, pursuant to advertisement, on Monday night last. Hitherto a Law of the Institution has restricted to 'the Committee collectively the power of admitting candidates for membership. From this restriction a practical inconvenience has sometimes resulted to persons desiring at once to enter upon the privileges of the Library, &c, as the regular Meetings at which alone they could be proposed are only held monthly. It has now been resolved that, in the intervals from one meeting to another, a candidate for membership may be admitted on the authority of any two of the Committee, so that there need not usually be eitner difficulty or delay in the case. Thus, strangers newly arrived may forthwith, if they so desire, become entitled to all the advantages of the Institution We would avail ourselves of this opportunity once again to call the attention of all classes in our local community to the claims which the Mechanics' Institute has upon their favour and support. However inferior it may be, in its present comparatively infant state, to similar Institutions with which they may have been familiar at home, yet the day of small things should not be despised, and there is here at least a foundation, on which, if the public will only encourage the work as it onght to be encouraged, an important and valuable superstructure of intellectual improvement for large numbers may bo rapidly raised. The Library, the Lectures, and the framework for the establishment of eveningclasses, present opportunities for the acquisition of information which, it might be supposed, would bo prized by very many whose private opportunities for mental improvement are unavoidably limited. And as respects those who do not stand in need of any advantages which such an Institution as this can present, surely it is not too much to expect that, for the benefit of their less favoured neighbours, they would patronize it by becoming Subscribing Members. Several of the class to which wo now refer are already on the roll ; and we know enough of the liberality and public spirit of our community to be convinced that many others only require to have their attention directed to the fact — that, by an annual subscription of Ten Shillings, they can aid in supporting and expanding such an Institution, — in order to secure their patronage and co-operation. We would also take leave to remind the fortunate possessors of libraries of their own, that donations of books — of which they may have duplicates, or which they no longer need, — would be a most acceptable and valuable aid. There is one other point to which, before we conclude, we would invite special attention. The Institute at present has no Museum of any kind, and gifts towards the formation of one are much to be desired. Perhaps, however, a considerable time must elapse before much can be effected for the establishment of a general Museum on any large scale. But an immediate object which some of the friends of the Institute regard with great interest is the formation of what may be called a Maori Museum. A collection of* specimens illustrating the history, habits, and workmanship of our native population would be a most appropriate deposit in the only Institution in the capital of the colony which affords a suitable place for their public exhibition ; it would have a lively interest for strangers ; and, in years to come, it could not fail" to possess a large and important value. Many of the residents in various parts of the country can, if they will, aid in giving effect to this project ; and we take leave earnestly to commend it to their consideration, only adding that any contribution, — supposing it to be but a single article- — will be gratefully received by the Committee.

By the schooner Sarah Jane, which yesleulay au-ived m our port, we have Canterbury Inte 1,hgence a few days later than that ahea'Jy recened. The L^Uelton Times of the 14th is the most lecent paper ; but it contains scarcely an item of newe worth quoting. We Jeatn from private accounts that business was exceedingly dull, and the general condition of the Settlement by no means flourishing. A report had been leceived from Wellington that Lieutenant-Governor Wynyard had gone to Sydney, intending to sail from that port to Auckland; but we cannot trace it to any reliable authority, although we thus notice it as a rumour winch AVds freely circulated at Lyttelton. News of our alleged discovery here had reached Ljttelton, and we have seen a copy of a placaid posted theie giving a flaming account of a gold field within thiee miles of Auckland, lo which, it was said, half our population had aheady iled ! It was stated that specimens of Auck-and gold had been taken to Wellington iv the Undine. The Julia was advertised in the Times " For the Auckland God Field !" She was to sail about the beginning of Match.