REPORT OF TEH SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE PENNY READINGS SOCIETY.

Southland Times, Issue 1019, 11 September 1868, Page 2

REPORT OF TEH SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE PENNY READINGS SOCIETY.

On submitting the first abstract of the funds of the Penny Headings Society, it raay not be unacceptable to make one op two remarks regarding its progress, You are aware of to© cireumgtanc.es attending the origin of the movement whicn ted to its formation, and of the ultimate design of the institution. At first it had to encounter the decided opposition of many who regarded with ill concealed eonttmpt the inauguration of a society with auoh an humble name, and of others in the main friendly to the movement, but who Stood aloof with apathetic indifference, believing that its existence would be at the best ephemeral, and doomed to that alow and gradual decadence which has been the fete of similar institutions in this town.

The predictions of the one have proved fallacious, and the opposition of the other has been insufficient to arrest the career of success with which week after week the institution has been crowned.

The best criterion of the progress of any society is the amonnt of popular support which it receives — in other words the amount of its receipts. On looking at the balance sheet which is subjoined, you will find that the receipts for the last fifteen weeks has been £85 7s, being on an average £5 8s each night. These receipts may be classified into three periods. Ist. That in which the admission fee was a penny or more at option, when the average weekly receipts were d§3 8s Id. 2nd. That in which the admission fee to the boxes was raised to 6d, when the average weekly recepts were £6 8s lOd. 3rd. That in which the admission fee was raised to its present rate, when the average weekly receipts w^re £9 l«>s 4d, This result shows tHe steady progress df the Society, and no less the wisdom of the committee in raising the admission fee.

Turning to the .credit side of the sheet it may be thought that some of the items are disproportionately high. But it ought to be borne in mind that in the early stages of a society there are many extraordinary charges, which will not re* quire to be made when it has been brought into regular working order. For instance the account for stationary includes all the books necessary .. for carrying on the business df the Society, and will not require to be renewed for a long time to come. On the advertising account a considerable reduction has been made, so that the publication of the pro- 1 grammes will now cost one pound a week instead of thirty six shillings as before. The musical department, to which the success of the entertainments is in a great measure dve — has been occasionally supplied with pieces df music, <&c, and a violincello, towards the purchase of which an instalment of £6 has been paid, will shortly be added to the instrumental department. On the whole, there is very great reason for congratulation on the marked success of the Society, and it is to be hoped that in future the entertainments will be rendered even more popular and attractive. That the great design of the Association^-the refinement of the taste, the improvement of the intellect j and the supplying the means of rational amusement to all classes of the comnninity---will be kept steadily in view, and if the entertainments meet with the same degree of public support as in the past — the ultimate end of the Society— the establishment of an Athenaeum — will not be far distant.

The following is the financial statement : — =•

ACCOUNT OF MONIES Received and Expended by the Penny Readings Society, from May 22nd to September sth, 1868.

Maot of the English magazines do not pay directly, but it is considered the correct thing for publishers of any importance to have their own magazine, which serves as a good advertising medium. The ■' Cornhill,' which has but lately had a circulation of over 80,000, and is now generally supposed to be 35,000, is not selling over 18,000 copies ; 'Macmillan' about 7,500; ' Belgravia,' edited by Miss Braddon, began with over 36,000, and now has a circulation of about 18,000; 'London Society' is increasing and sells over 20,000; 'Temple Bar,' supposed circulation not over 13,000 ; c Blackwood's Magazine' sells 7,500 ; • St Paul's, edited by Anthony Trollope, the latest and most promising in contents, began with 50,000, does not now sell more than half that' number; ' Tinsley's Magazine edited by Edmund. Yates, and containing a story by Dr Kuasell of the ' Tjmes ' does not Bell 10,OOQ per mon.th,i '

Johk or. Saaii, Treasurer. I Receipts. May 22— To Cash taken at door £2 4 7 „ 29— Do do 2 5 8 June s— Do do 2 3 0 „ 19— Do do 2 4 1 „ 26— Do do 3 911 July 3— Do do 5 8 2 „ 10— Do do .61.2 „ 17— Do do 5 4 8 „ 24— Do do 5 6 9 „ 31— Do do 8 2 3 Aug. 7— Do do 6 17 „ 14— Do do 7 9 3 „ 21— Do do 914 9 „ 28— Do do 913 2 Sept. 4— Do do 918 0 £85 7 '0 EXPENDITURE. . By printing, advertising, &c. ... £24 10 0 Rent of Theatre— l 2 weeks ... 12 0 0 Secretary's salary —7 weeks ... 7 0 0 Hire of piano— tuning do ..." 2'B - 0 Stationery, music, stamps, &c. 4 8 6 Tradesmen's accounts for apparatus &c. 7 19 8 Magic Lantern — one night ... 1 00 Instalment of price of violincello 6 0 0 Charitable donation ... ... 5 0 0 Petty payments and contingencies 419 6 Balance in hands of the Treasurer 10 1 4 £85 7 0