MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 878, 7 February 1879, Page 2

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

0 The annual general meeting of the Mechanics' Institute was. held last night. About 30 gentlemen were present. Mr. George Sumpter, President, in taking the chair, said lie was sorry to see so few present. He thought the public should give far more attention to the Institute than they had hitherto done, but he hoped the incoming year would present a different aspect. The Committee this year would have many important things to settle, the principal of which would be the erection of the new Athenreum.

The minutes o.f the last annual meeting were read and confirmed.

The Secretary then read the annual report and balance-sheet, which, on the motion of Mr. Montagu, seconded by Mr. Kidd, was adopted. The following is the report:— "In presenting their annual report, your Committee have not anything of great importance to allude to, although on the whole they think they may fairly state that satisfactory progress has been made, notably as to the increase in the number of subscribers. The number has now reached 150, being nearly double that of the previous year. This is a very small number when the population of the town is taken into consideration, and your Committee do trust that the public generally, and those for whom the advantages of the Institute are particularly available, will take more interest in its progress, and that a greater improvement, even as to the increase of members, will be recorded for the ensuing year. " The reading and chess rooms have been visited more frequently than previously, the average attendance of an evening being about fifty. " Steps have been successfully taken by your representatives in Parliament to enable you to borrow, when opportunity offers, a sufficient sum with which to erect a new building. Mr. Forrester has courteously placed some sketches of a new building before your Committee. The design was very complete and ornamental, and although at present as a whole the work could not be carried out, still your Committee trust that in a modified form some steps as to building may be taken before long, as they feel convinced that the surplus revenue w r hich would most probably be obtained from the leasing of the proposed shops and hall would, together with the rental which your Com-, mittee now think might be obtained, from the endowment, enable the Institute to be placed in a much more satisfactory position. I

■' Through the kindness of several local gentlemen, some interesting and instructive lectures have been given, and although, financially, some of them were not very successful, your Committee trust good has resulted, and that they will be renewed in due course. Your Committee were very desirous, during their term of office, to increase the number of books, additions to the catalogue being greatly needed. Soon after the commencement of their term of office, your Committee ordered a supply of books through the Education Board. The list comprised over 500 volumes of standard literature, novels, historical and biographical works. The books so ordered have not yet arrived here, but we understand may be expected shortly. The supply of periodicals, although limited, has been more regular

than during former years, and your Committee have added several to the number previously obtained, but are of opinion that a more ample supply would prove an attraction, and beg to recommend the addition of more serials to the list. " Your Committee trust the retention of Mr. Richmond's services, at an increased salary, will meet with your approval. The Committee believed that it would be wise to offer him an inducement to remain, as he had proved himself an efficient and painstaking librarian.—For the Committee, " George Sumpter, " President."

The Rev. Mr. Todd, in the course of a few appropriate remarks, said he thought the members of Committee should try their best to get other members to join. He thought it looked very bad for a town like Oamaru to be so far behind in comparison to other towns which he had visited.

They then proceeded with the election of officers for the coming year. Mr. Hislop was proposed as President by Mr. Forrester, and seconded by Mr. Spratt. This was the only nomination, and Mr. Hislop was elected accordingly.

Mr. Forrester was elected Vice-Presi-dent ; Mr. R. Davies, Treasurer; and Mr. Williamson, Hon. Secretary.

The services of the Librarian were continued.

The following gentlemen were elected for the Standing Committee :■ —Messrs. Sumpter, Peattie, Kidd, M'Combe, Spratt, Filleul, Mollison, Loring, Tempest, Montagu, and Headland.

A vote of thanks to the retiring Committee, for their efforts in the promotion of the interests and welfare of the Institute, was propased by Mr. Todd, seconded by Mr Forrester, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Kidd moved that a vote of thanks be presented to Mr. Dawson, for his contribution of fossils from Lake Wanaka.

Mr. Hislop thanked the members of the Institute for the honor they had conferred upon him by electing him a second time to the office of President. He trusted that the Bill which was withdrawn last session would be again brought forward, and that the influence of the members for the district would be exerted to the utmost in getting it passed. Mr. Shrimski said he had always entertained a strong interest in the well-being of the Institute, but owing to the lukewarmness of those who ought to take a more active part in it, he felt somewhat discouraged. Mr. Peattie, Rector of the High School, proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and said it was very desirable to form evening classes for the youths of Oamaru under the auspices of the Institute, in the same manner as those conducted in Dunedin by the Caledonian Society. He believed that many of the teachers of the district would be willing to give their services gratis, or for a small sum.

Mr. Forrester stated that this matter had been brought up before, but owing to the difficulty of obtaining accommodation it had fallen through. Perhaps Mr. Peattie could allow them the use of the High School, if it did not interfere with him in any way.

Mr. Peattie answered that he could not grant them it. Their course would be to apply to the School Committee, who, in conjunction with the Education Board, had the power to grant it. For his own part, he would do all that he could to assist them in getting it. The Rev. Mr. Todd highly approved of the proposal, and moved that a Committee be appointed, with power to act. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.