WELLINGTON ATHENÆUM AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 810, 7 May 1853, Page 3

WELLINGTON ATHENÆUM AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Thy half-yearly meeting of the members of the above Institution was held in the hall of the Institute on Tuesday evening last, the 3rd May, Mr. Lyon, one of theYice-Presidents, in the chair. The Chairman commenced the proceedings by informing the members that the general meeting would henceforth be held annually, in accordance with the rules altered for that purpose. Messrs. W. B. Burgess, J. H. Wallace, and F. A, Puncan having been requested to act as scrutineers, the ballot for the election of office bearers commeuced. The chairman then called upon the acting Secretary to read the report of the committee.

Report. * In muting tht members of the Institute on this the eleventh anniversary, the committee have still to use the language of congratulation and express pleasure both in retrospect and prospect, in the remembrance of whtt has been effected, and the hopes they entertain for the future.

Members.—Although the past has been the summer half year the number of members has increased, and is now upwards of 180, being the largest number that has yet appeared on the books of the Institute; and still the Committee believe that with the increased accommodation and 'additional advantages which they hope to be able offer, this number -may be considerably aug-

mented. Library.—By tke Slain* Castle the Committee were put in possession of the greater part of the books ordered from England, and the remainder have recently been received by the Minerva in charge of Mr. Knowles, to whose exertions the Institute is so deeply indebted that the Committee feel that they are but poorly paying

a debt by recommending tbe members to present that gentleman with a rote of thanks, The Illustrated Catalogue of the Great Exhibition has also been received, and now lies upon the library table for the inspectim of members. Seveial valuable donations of books have been received, a list of which, with the donors, is here subjoined. Sir George Grey — 36 half vols. of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mitford's Greece, 8 vols., 7 vols. Miscellaneous. Dr. Mantell — Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, 5 vols., Fossil remains of animals. Mr. John Knowles — Shakspeare, 1 vol., Art of Colonization, 1 vol. Mr. £. J. Wakefield— lllustrations of New Zealand. Also several files of the Times from an unknown friend in England, and a number of the Illustrated London News from Mr. Fox. Altogether, the additions to the library during tbe half year amount to 300 volumes, most of them being works' of sterling excellence and in some instances of considerable valut in a pecuniary sense.

Philosophical and Mechanical Apparatus. — A first step has been made towards the acquisition of some elementary apparatus for the ate of lecturers and %Usses. A liberal donation was made by Mr. King for this pdrpose, to which the Committee have added the unexpended balance of a sum appropriated for lectures last season, another sum of £15 formerly voted for the purpose now referred to, and a small sum additional, making in all £30, which sum they have remitted to England, per Stately, for the purchase of a set of mechanical apparatus, and some few articles, as the commencement of a series of instruments for the illustration of Hydrostatics and Pneumatics. Two or three instruments have also been presented to the Institute by Charles Endeiby, Esquire, F.R.S., for which the Committee express their grateful thanks, and they hope that by their ' next anniversary the members will have in possession and use these important auxiliaries to the proper educational objects of the Institution. A very appropriate and graceful ornament to the Hall has been presented by Mr. Barraud, a portrait of the late president of the Institute, Mr. Justice Chspman, who thus still seems to look down upon the assemblies over which h* so long and ably presided. One lecture has been delivered by E. 6. Wakefield, Esq., on " The causes and effects of ttotilhonopoly of waste land in colonies." Arrangements are in progress for other lectures in the ensuing winter, particulars of which .will be shortly announced. A special meeting of the members has been held, at which the alteration in the rules recommended in the last report was unanimously adopted. The Treasurer then read the following statement of accounts :—

Moved by Gapt. Rhodes, seconded by Mr. Roberts, and carried unanimously :—: — That the reports as read be adopted. Moved by Mr. Hamley, seconded by Mr. Holmes, and carried unanimously : — That the thanks of the members are most justly due to Mr. John Koowles for the kiitd and efficient nnoner in which he executed the order for the purchase of books in London, and for the very zealous and able manner in which be has ever carried out the views of the committee in the discharge of commissions that have, been entrusted to him. Proposed by Mr. Picket*, seconded by Mr. J. H. Wallace, and carried unanimously :— That a vote of thanki be given to Mr. Barraud for bis very appropriate present to the laatitute. Moved by Mr. R. J. Duncan, seconded by Mr. Burgess, and carried unanimously :—: — That a vote of thanks be given to Mr. King (or his liberal donation of £5. Mr. Carter suggested having the following papers for the reading room, viz., the Sydney

Morning Herald, Home News, Illustrated London News. Capt. Rhodes seconded Mr. Carter's suggestion, and wished to have the Lyttelton Times added to the list. Mr. Duncan disagreed with the suggestion entirely ; he thought the funds should not be spent on newspapers as there were many other objects to which they might be devoted for the benefit of the Institute. Mr. Mnore agreed with Mr- Duncan, that the funds should not be applied to this purpose ; several suggestions had been made but no promises of assistance had yet been offered — he should like some one to come forward with some proposition of that kiud. Mr. Woodward begged to remind the members, before they acted on the suggestions thrown out, of the state of the finds, ; he would most decidedly oppose purchasing the papers alluded to until the Institute had more funds at | its disposal. Mr. Munn said that as the tyover of the resolution appeared to be so desirftus of obtaining the colonial papers; he should jibe happy to let members have the use of them i few days after he received them if they liked tqjaend for them. After some, further- diacnssidn,!£he subject was allowed to stand ai<w*agge&ien to the committee, when '« •- - ' ' - .' Mr. W. AHen said, owing to the determination of the meeting, he would wijlingly pay One year's subscription to the HotnS, News, and" Mr. Carter said he would pay the second year's subscription, which offers met with general approval fiom the meeting. Mr. Duncan asked if any plan had been discussed or originated by the committee for building the north wing to the Institute, and proposed to head a subscription list to make up the necessary amount required. A list was then made and before the meeting broke up a considerable amount was subscribed. Mr. Duncan said before the meeting dissolved he had one word to offer : thete were two gentlemen to whom the most cordial thanks of the meeting were due for the zealpus and indefatigable discharge of their honorary duties. Both sacrificed their ease and leisure moments to maintain the efficiency' and extend the benefits of the society ; the services of Mr. Woodward were cheerfully given, not only to this Institute, but to almost every useful society in Wellington, and it was therefore unnecessary to do more than mention his name — the benefits he rendered were extensively felt ; but perhaps it was not so generally known that his friend Mr. Seed had devoted a great amount of time to the interests of the Institution : he (Mr. Duncan) had had opportunities of learning to some extent the amount of labour so willingly bestowed by their secretary, to whose exertions (in conjunction with Mr. Woodward) he thought their present prosperity was in a great measure to be attributed. On every suitable occasion they were in duty called upon to recognise and evince their gratitude for such valuable gratuitous assistance. The chairman thought it would be unnecessary to put this motion to the vote in the usual way; the meeting concurred with him and passed it by acclamation. The examination of the balloting papers having been finished by the scrutineers, the chairman declared the following persons to be duly elected as office bearers for the ensuing year : i President. Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Vicb- Presidents. Messrs. W. Lyon, G. Moore. £. Catchpool. Treasurer — Mr. J. Woodward. Sscretart — Mr. W. Seed. Committee — Messrs. G. Pickett, C. Mills, G. Allen, W. Spinks, G. Hart, E. Roberts.

Conveksazione. — On Thursday evening a Conversazione was held in the 'Hall and Library of the Institution in celebration of the eleventh anniversary ; the company began to assemble about seven o'clock, and by its number and respectability afforded pleasing evidence of the growing importance and interest attached to this really beneficial Institution ; upwards of two hundred were present and all appeared to be gratified with the exertions of the Committee in collecting for the evening's entertainment so large a number of objects of variety and interest as were displayed upon the various tables and the walls of the building. From the Hall a communication by a covered way led to the suite of rooms in Barrett's Hotel, where tea, coffee, and refreshments were supplied to the guests, and daring the evening the Band of the the 65th Regt enlivened the occasion by some beautiful music, adding much to the enjoyment of the scene. The walls of the large Hall from floor to ceiling were covered with pictures, many of which were much and deservedly admired, flowers, evergreens and flags were tastefully arranged in aid of the decorative effect, and the whole had a really beautiful appearance. Amorigst such a number and variety of beautiful and interesting objects it seems difficult to particularize, but we think the following at least deserving remark . Sir G. Grey's beautiful collection of native poenamou and other weapons* carved boxes and clohs and tapa mats, ijfustr.ated works on New Zealand and Natural History, kindly lent to the committee by Lady Grey. ' k Two of the first coins (sovereigns) of the Australian Mint, exhibited by Mr. Woodhouse. Beautifully worked handkerchief from Manilla and Indian-worked Bag, from Miss Hunter. Beautiful specimen of Berlin work, (Tartar or Horseback), embossed velvet writing and cigar cases, from Mrs. Meier. Hebraic Manuscript and Bible, Mr. Hort. Pencil Drawing and Railway Diagrams, Mr. John Wallace. Specimens of GoM, auriferous quartz and sand from Coromaudel Harbour, 1 Mr. S. E. Glimstone. Spears, clubs, coat of mail, arrows, &c, from tbe ' Kings Mill Islands, Amboyna clove box, native ornaments, &c. &c, Captain Dobson, " Lord Nelson." Sectional Model of Vewtl, Captain Pearce, 11 Australian." Kiwi skin mat, Leopard skin, clubs and spears, from Savage Island, Mr. Moore. Valuable Illustrated Works, Mr. John King. Beautiful and massive specimens of Dun Mountain Copper Oie, Mr. W. L. Wrey. The tables were covered with broks, speciI meas and works of art, and it will be evident

ample employment for hours of intellectual obsenation and comment was thus provided, and if we judged rightly they ■were not wasted : we regretted the somewhat abrupt and early termination of the e\ cuing a httle before ten o'clock, there really was not time even to glance at all we desired to see, but perhaps there was hardly room for regret, for we left off with an appetite and thereby avoided satiety. We heard too of sundry whispers {some' not loud but deep) about clearing the floor for dancing, and we doubt not but the fair visitors would have carried any motion to that effect by acclamation, and feel sure that the committee would have been happy to have afforded such a termination, which would have given additional eclat to the affair, but the arrangements did not permit it ; jit is however a hint which may well be kept in view on any future occasion.

Dr. To balance from last half year, £96 13 4 „ cash received for use of Hall for a ball 2 2 0 „ do. „ at a special subscription, for the purchase of apparatus (from Mr. ' J.King) 5 0 0 „ Members' subscriptions — 7 annual subscribers at 10s. 6d 3 13 6 94 half-yearly do. at £a. 6d.., 25 17 0 14 do. do. at 2«. 6d. JJjjfjf" 116 0 „ cash received for eight catalogues sold at 6d.each 0 4 0 „ do. „ fine for damage to books .. 0 6 0 „ do. „ admission to Mr. Wakefield's Lecture 2 2 0 „ do. „ arrears of subscriptions. ... 1 6 0 £138 19 10 To balance brought down £58 13 8 Cr. By cash paid labourer removing land-slip at the back of Hall £7 12 6 „ cash paid for repairs of books and bookbinding 2 5 3 „ do. „ copying letters sent »nd received by the Institute into'letter-book .. 0 18 6 „ cash paid freight and charges on one box books per Slain* Cattle 1 7 ,9 „ cash paid Isaacs & Levy for 1amp ...... 1 15 0 „ do. „ Librarian's salary £13 0 0 do.com. sp. c. 1 12 7 14 12 7 „ do. „ Incidental expensesFirewood 0 8 0 Matches 0 0 6 „/ Cleaning 1 7 0 . Small repairs ..056 Labour &cartage 0 11 0 2 12 0 „ cash paid 0. Mills for lining of library, desk, stand, &c 4 18 0 „ do. „ „ for cost of Illustrated Catalogue in excess of amount remitted (£3:8: 4 less £2: 19:9) 0 9 2 „ cash paid freight on books per Royal Albert *.... 0 5 3 i, cash paid premium of insurance on building, &c 9 8 0 „ do. „ balance of cost of books received from England per Mr. Knowles ........ 1 12 8 „ do. „ for periodicals 2 3 6 „ do. remitted to England for purchase of apparatus£3o, and bank prem.Jjp. c. 12s. 30 12 0 „ balance carried down *..* 58 13 8 £138 19 10 Audited by A. M'Donald, R. J. Duncan. J. Woodward, Treasurer.

The Treasurer ja account current with the Wellington Athenjsum :—: —