OAMARU ATHENÆUM.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10063, 3 February 1909, Page 1

OAMARU ATHENÆUM.

The following report will lie presented at the. annuiil • meeting uf tin; Athciuenm subscribers to be held to-morrow evening, at 8 o'clock : "Your Committee have pleasure in laying before von their report for the Year ending 31st December. 1908. 'The revenue from subscribers was £22;; 15s as against £lB4 lCs l'or the eleven months of last year. "The subscriptions have come in somewhat better during the year, nwiiiir to yeary payments in advance, .and the clcaring-oif in some in.-lanccs of arrears. "The expenditure on new book's was £57 9s U<l. of which £2B 15s. -I<l was paid out of the book fund, leavine a balance in that fund of £l2 6s .'ld. as against £22 13s Td las! year. This fund is gradually disappearing, although the sirictest economy in purchasing books has been exercised. The question of placing this fund on a better basis should be taken in hand by the incoming Commit - teee. ''The new boks are classified as follows : Fiction 222. science 5. history 4. travels 14. miscellaneous 5; total,' 246. "The tuta! issue of books for the year was: Fiction, 11.906, science ami philosophy 54, history and biography 210, travels 246. miscellaneous 66. poetry al. total 12.513; magazines in parts 7635. "During the year £2l 18s was expended in renovating the outside and inside of the building." "Fifteen meetings of Committee have been held at which the attendance has been as follows :—Messrs Hindmarsh 14. J. M. Forrester 14. H. Thomas 14. A. ft. W. Beswhk 10. Kev. ftriffin 10. Dr M'Adam 8. Dr Whitton 8. T. liegg 8. N. Daws 6. J. 13. Fergiisjon 5. \V. H. Brown 4. K. P. Lee 1. VThe thanks of tlw Committee are due to Messrs King and Blyth. who have acU'o as auditors. "The Librarian (Mr H. liichmond) has continued to give every satisfaction in the discharge of his duties.''