Untitled

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 490, 13 April 1850, Page 2

On Thursday evening the new hall of the Wellington Athenitum and Mechanics' Institute was opened to the members and subscribers. The building has been erected from a design by Mr. Roberts on a public reserve on Lambton Quay, in the immediate vicinity of the Scotch Church, the site having been granted by the Colonial Government. The principal, or entrance front, is raised on a flight of steps, and consists of a portico of four columns, two coupled on either side a recessed porch,, surmounted by an entablature and pediment. A vestibule on either side leads to the hall, a spacious room forty feet long by twenty one feet wide. The building is constructed of timber framing, lathed and plastered on both sides, and when completed will be an ornament and improvement to this part of the town. The interior was very tastefully decorated for the occasion with flags and ensigns of different nations, the British banner occupying a conspicuous position : the flags were supplied by Captain Mickleburgh of the Cornelia, and Captain Nicholson of the Woodstock, to both of whom, as well as to Captain Ray of the Orion, the Committee were greatly indebted for their assistance in carrying out their arrangements. Immediately over the chair was suspended a portrait of her most Gracious Majesty, and other portraits and engravings with flowers and evergreens ornamented the room, which was well lighted by a couple of chandeliers and lights affixed to the side walls. At one end of the room (opposite the chair) was a gallery in which was the band o_f the 65th Regt., which attended by Colonel Gold's kind permission, and by their performance during the evening greatly increased the attraction. The room was completely filled by members and their families, and we believe that upwards of two hundred persons were present on the occasion. The chair was taken at six o'clock by Mr. Justice Chapman, President of the Institute, whb, "in a long and elaborate speech, traced the formation and spread of Mechanics' Institutes in Great Britain from the commencement of the present century, when a school for mechanics was formed at Glasgow, limited in its character and scope, and confined to to those sciences useful to, and more immediately connected with, the different trades of the members, until they multiplied in Scotland and were introduced about twenty years ' afterwards into England by Dr. Birkbeck and Mr. Leonard Homer. He then showed that, towards the year 1836, by an extension of their original plan, by which other classes besides mechanics were let in, and other literature superadded, including lectures on various subjects, and the recreations of music and dancing, — converting them Into places of agreeable relaxation to which the female portion of the families of members were admitted — they were placed on a broader basis, and, advancing in popular favour, increased rapidly in number, and instanced the Lyceum at Manchester as an example. His Honor then, referring more immediately to the present Institution, showed how the prototype in {lie mother country had been followed in the !

recent change of the name to "The Wellington Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute," in the admission of other classes besides mechanics as members and of the wives and daughters of members, as on the present occasion, to their reunions, and that these changes had led to beneficial results, and to a considerable increase in the number of members. His Honor then explained the several improvements which had taken place in the Library, in the formation of classes, particularly those for drawing and music, and in other departments, and dwelt at some length on the peculiar advantage of such Institutions, as places of resort for persons of a variety of pursuits and occupations where, in their mutual intercourse, all might learn something of each other. In alluding to the subject of politics, how far it might be allowed or introduced in an Institution which embraced members of all political shades of opinion, he observed that, however desirable the study of the science of Government or of Political Economy might be, the introduction of Party Politics would be quite ont of place and would only have the effect of injuring the Institution. His Honor concluded his address, of which the above is an imperfect sketch, by expressing an earnest wish that the progress of the Institution might be commensurate with so auspicious a commencement. Mr. Seed then read the following Sketch of the history of the Wellington Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute by the Committee : In the latter part of the month of April, 1842, a meeting df the settlers of Port Nicholson was convened in the large room of the South Sea Hotel, for the purpose of forming a Mechanics' Institute. A considerable number at once gave their names as members, and the house and some of the property of the Port Nicholson Exchange and Museum being offered on favourable terms, another meeting was called in the Reading room, and a society was duly formed called the Port Nicholson Mechanics' Institute, Public School, and Library. This took place on Monday, May 2nd ; the business of the Institute was formally commenced by a lecture on Education by Mr. Woodward, delivered on the evening of Tuesday, the 10th of that month ; the school was commenced about a fortnight after; and the library also was opened for the use of the members. About the month of November in that year Mr. Shortland, the Officer Administering the Government, visited Wellington, and in answer to a request from the Committee, promised as a site for a permanent building a part of the Government Reserve on Lambton Quay, which promise was confirmed by Capt. Fitzroy, and has also been sanctioned by his Excellency the present Governor- in- Cbiif. ; In January, 1844, the Raupo House Ordinance deprived the Institute of its rooms, and an effort was commenced to erect a proper building, the use of a place known as Tod's store being allowed to the Institute for its school. On the 3rd day of May, 1844, the first stove of the intended building was laid with much ceremony by his Honor Major Richmond, assisted by the Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren of the New Zealand Pacific Lodge of Freemasons, the Officers and Members of the Loyal Britannia Lodge of Odd Fellows, and the Brethren of the Independent order of Rechabites. The design, however, was never carried out, and owing partly to the depressed state of all matters in the colony, and partly to the loss of the very active Secretary of the Institute, Mr. John Knowles, who, about that time, returned to England, the Institute became dormant ; the school had been given up some time previously, and all that remained was the library, which Colonel Wakefield allowed to be stored in the offices of the New Zealand Company. Nearly four years elapsed, when an intimation was made to Mr. Lyon that the books of the Institute were being destroyed by damp and rats. That gentleman immediately invited the members of the former committee to meet at his store for the purpose of making some arrangement to save the books from being destroyed or rendered useless, thinking it desirable to make the books available for readers, and Mr. Stafford very kindly offering a small house belonging to him at the low rate of 6s. a week, it was determined to accept the offer, and endeavour to revive the Institute. A number of names were speedily enrolled, and on the 17th of August, 1848, a committee and officers were elected, and the Institute was recommenced under the name of the Port Nicholson Mechanics' Institute. On December 4th, the first half yearly meeting was held, when the committee stated in their report that 135 members bad joined, that £20 had been sent to London for the purchase of books, that 117 volumes had been' added to the library by donations from various parties, and that the " erection of a permanent buil-

ding bad been remitted to a sab-committee." At .this meeting a design was exhibited, prepared by Mr. Cridland, for the new hall, which was much admired, but nothing mora was done until June, 1849, when a deputation was formed to wait on the Lieutenant Governor and other influential parties, and request their assistance towards the building. Most fortunately for the Institute its Treasurer, Mr. R. J. Duncan, was one of this deputation, to whose unremitting exertions the success of the appeal that was made to the public must be mainly ascribed. About the same time the books that had been sent for were received, accompanied by a very handsome present of periodicals from Mr. Cobham of London. Mr. Cridland having left this settlement for Port Cooper, Mr. Roberts kindly undertook to prepare a design and estimates for the new hall, and in July a sub-committee was appointed to receive tenders from parties willing to erect the building, providing it could be done for the estimated amount £300. Tenders were received from three parties for the carpenters' work, and the committee decided on accepting the tender of Mr. James Reed, by whom the works were commenced forthwith, an addition having been previously made at a general meeting to the name of the Institution, so that its designation became " the Wellington Athenssum and Mechanics' Institute." In September a farther sum of ten pounds was remitted to Mr. Knowles for the puichase of books, and the thanks of the committee were also forwarded to him for the manner in which he laid out the former sum, and also to Mr. Cobham for his acceptable present. The following particulars respecting the building will conclude the present sketch :—: — The design includes two wings in addition to the hall, the one to be appropriated as a museum and the other as a library. The cost of the building of the centre, or hall, the only part estimated for, will be about £300, besides £7 : 2s. which has been laid out for excavations, and a further sum of £7 for the erection of a gallery or orchestra. The estimated cost of the two wings is £130, and of plastering the walls and ceiling of the hall £34 more. The sum actually received to the present time as subscriptions towards the building is only £240; and for the balance to make up the deficiency the Treasurer has been empowered to raise the sum of £60 in loans of five or ten pounds to be repaid in three years with interest at 10 per cent., of which .£4O has been subscribed. It is only due to the architect to add that his services, valuable as they have been to the Institution, have been perfectly gratuitous. It will thus be seen that the members and friends of the Institute meet this night in the room, the site for which was marked out almost eight years since, and a foundation stone laid six years ago, which stone it may be added has been replaced under the portico of the present building. There are still some who were present at the formation of the Institute in 1842 who are taking an active part in its concerns. These feel that a great step towards the future prosperity and usefulness of the Institution is now taken, and only hope that the design may be completed, and thus at least one building be reared in this town public in its character, and creditable to the taste of the community. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr.Fox, theßev. W.Kirton, and other members, and the proceedings were enlivened by glees, which were admirably performed by some of the members in the intervals between the addresses , and by a selection of music by the band of the 65th Regt. The following resolutions were passed unanimously :—: — Moved by Mr. Fox, and seconded by Mr. Hart— That the thanks of the members are due to Mr. Roberts for his valuable services in furnishing the design for, and superintendence of, the building ; to Mr. Woodward for superintending the details thereof ; to Mr. Webb for gratuitously shingling the roof ; to Mr. R. J. Duncan for his exertions in collecting subscriptions ; to Mr. Cridland for his original design ; to Mr. Stafford for the allowance of his premises at a very low rent, and to tht Building Committee. Mr. Justice Chapman having vacated the chair, it was occupied by Mr. Fox, when- it was moved by Mr. Moore, and seconded by Mr. Lyon — That a vote of thanks be given to his Honor Mr. Justice Chapman for the zeal and ability with which he has presided over the meeting, and that the thanks of the meeting are due to those gentlemen who have so kindly and harmoniously exerted their vocal powerfor our gratification, and to each and all who have contributed to the enjoyment of this i evening. : % '

After the business of the meeting was over, the seats were removed, and the room was cleared for dancing which was kept up with great spirit until an early hour in the morning. Owing to the excellent arrangements of the Committee the members appeared to be highly gratified with the evening's entertainment, and we hope that the Institution, which is now established on a prosperous basis, may increase in usefulness and receive fresh accessions to the list of its members.

Wednesday's Government Gazette contains two notices relating to Intestate Estates by the Registrar-General ; a notice of a Custom House Sale of Condemned Goods on Tuesday, 23rd inst. ; the appointment of Mr. James Cross to be Harbour Master at Nelson vice Mr. J. Stirling deceased ; and a list of Unclaimed Letters for the Quarter ended 31st March, 1850.

•The following paragraph is extracted from the Sydney Morning Herald of Feb. 23 : — The New Zealand Company advertise that they are willing to receive tenders from persons stating for what amount of bounty they will run sttamers between the different parts of New Zealand, and between New Zealand and Sydney.