MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 250, 9 February 1877, Page 2

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

The ustrd monthly meeting of the Mechanics' Institute was held hut evening. Present—Mr. Thomas Forester (in the chair), and Messrs. Tempest (hon. Secretary). Loring (hon. treasurer), Hislnp r Fairlcy, Thornton, and A. V. Smith. T>te minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Professor Cooghrrey asking to be absolved from the d-Jivery of his promts.d lecture in aid of the Institute. The Secretary was instructed to write and express the regret of the Committee at the circumstance. Mr. Histof suggested the advisability of having the Institute brought under the Public Libraries Act, 187 C, and it was resolved that sieps should be taken for that purpose. Mr. Ilistop consenting to carry the matter through. A letter was received from Mr. Thompson, asking for the repayment of some £l3 loaned to the Committee some considerable time back, which sum was to have been appropriated to the Building Fund of the Institute. Mr. TiionsToy moved, and Mr. Faikley seconded—" That the loan be at once repaid out of the Building Fund, the money io be returned to that fund when it was at the command of the Committee." An amendment proposed by Mr. Hi.si.op and seconded by Mr. Smith—"That ?.Ir. Thompson be paid the interr-sfc on the amount, and that the pr'neipal be allowed to lie for six months longer"'—was carried. Mr. LOKINO thought it- would be well that some effort should be made to have the Institute open in the daytime. 2sow that the railways were running, there could be no doubt that a score of people visited Oamaru for the one person previously, and although the step might cause a small expenditure, still he believed in the end it would materially increase the revenue.

Some discussion ensued as to the at which it was intended the Institute should be open, but finally the following motion was proposed by Mr. Loeixg, and seconded by Mr. Thornton—" That the Librarian be instructed to get a boy to look after the Library and ; Reading-room during the day, and that the Institute be open for the supply of books from 9 to 11 a.m., and from noon to 4.30 p.m." Mr. Forrester drew attention to the fact that the papers by the last two mails had not arrived. He considered that this was a great mistake, as he was quite sure many of the members of the Institute remained so, specially for the opportunity it gave them of seeing the Home papers. It was resolved—" That the Book Committee be authorised to confer with Messrs Fk-tt and Carncross re the supply, and that the Secretary convene the Book Committee when the lists are furnished ; and further, that the Book Committee be authorised to obtain a number of books from the Education Board out of the parcel coming to hand ex Marlborough—a list to be forwarded to the Board with an inquiry as to whether the books selected can be supplied to the Institute, the Board to be paid the amount now due." The Secretary and Treasurer were requested to draw up a report to be laid before the general meeting which is to be held on the 9th March. During the course of the meeting Mr. Barraelough entered the room, and handed to Mr, Hislop the sum of £2 25., as a contribution to the funds of the Institute, which the Committee wish gratefully to acknowledge. It was further stated by Mr. Hislop that such an interest does Mr. Barraelough take in the Institution that he had express, d himself willing to further supplement that sum to the extent of £lO, providing other contributors will come forward in an equally generous manner.