MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 393, 9 May 1849, Page 3

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

A general meeting of the members of the Port NicHdlsoh Mechanics* Institute was held at the rooms of the Institute on Monday last. The meeting was thinly attended. Mr. Lyon,-one of the Vice Presidents, took the chair, and having briefly explained the objects of the meeting, called on the Secretary to read the following report : — The Committee of the Port Nicholson Mechanics' Institute, in presenting to the members their second half-yearly report, congratulate them on the improving prospects which the Institute presents, not only in the number of members that have joined it, but also in the rapidly increasing demands on the library, and the probability at an early period of a suitable building for the purposes of the Institute being erected. The members are already aware that the very confined accommodation afforded by the temporary building now occupied as a Mechanics' Institute must materially limit the utility of that Institution. Indeed* ,this has been found so serious an obstacle to its prosperity, that the Committee has already taken measures for it 3 removal. The Committee have communicated with the Government, both by correspondence and by personal interviews, on the subject of the i land formerly promised to the Mechanics' ] Institute, as a site for a building ; the replies which they have received from the Government have been to the effect that the .complicated nature of the arrangements be-tween-the Home Government and the New Zealand Company have rendered it a matter of doubt by whom the Grant should be made — the Attorney General at Auckland having expressed his opinion that it should be made by the Government, whilst the Attorney General here took an opposite view. This morning a deputation consisting of the President, two Vice Presidents, and Mr. R. Hart, had an interview with his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor on this subject. The Committee, therefore, consider-it desirable, in case of a Crown Grant being obtained, that the New Zealand Company should execute a release to the Institute of any supposed interest they may have in the land. The report of the Building sub-com-mittee has already been laid before the public. The existing doubts as to the Grant of land have induced the Committee to abstain from pressing for subscriptions. The sum already subscribed towards the building, with the fund in hand at the revival of the Institution, amounts to nearly fifty pounds. ' The deputation urged upon the attention of his Excellency the benefit which would result from pecuniary assistance by the Government, and they are under the jmprea.

, sion that the sum of £100 will be afforded. The earnest recommendation of the subject ot education in the address of the Lieutenant Governor to the Legislative Council, leads your Committee to believe that the proposal of a grant of money to this Institution will meet with the support of that body. The formation and practical working of the Di awing class has led to an increase of the members of the Institute, and it is manifest from past experience that the Institution only requires to be placed upon a proper footing to ensure an extensive support and a degree of benefit to the community which no equal expenditure of funds in any other way is calculated to produce. There aFe now about 140 members. The books ordered from England by the Committee may now be shortly expected. The additions to the library have raised the number of books to between 6 and 700 vols. A museum would be rapidly formed if the Institution were possessed of premises suitable for the reception of specimens.

It was then moved, seconded and carried unanimously, " That the report now read be adopted." T&oved by Mr. Mantell, seconded by Mr. King, and carried unanimously, " That the following gentlemen be the officers for the ensuing half year: President, His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman. Vice Presidents, W. Fox, Esq., W. Lton, Esq., G. Moore, Esq. Committee of Management: Messrs. R. Hart, W. Hart, James M'Beth, J. Woodward, W. Norgrove, W. Spinks, A. de B. Brandon, Rev. J, WatkiD, — Pickett, G. Hunter, E. Stafford, — Roberts. Secretary —Mr. H. B. Sealv. Treasurer —Mr. R. J. Duncan. Librarian —Mr. Bushell. Moved by Mr. Scaly, seconded by Mr. Hart, and -carriexi unanimously, " That the thanks of the meeting lie given to Mr. Norgrove for his active exertions in establishing the first class jn connexion with the revived Institute, viz. —the Drawing Class.'* A vote of thanks was then unanimously given to the Committee for the services they had rendered to the Institution during the past half year.