NELSON INSTITUTE.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 398, 16 August 1861, Page 2

NELSON INSTITUTE.

A meeting of members took place on Wednesday evening, but the attendance was not numerous. The following is the report of the Committee :—

In presenting their half-yearly report your committee have this time the.satisfaction.of furnishing facts, instead of hopes and promises as^Heretofore!' The hopes inspired and the expectations that you have formed are no doubt fully realised now you enjoy the convenience and advantages of this spacious building. Upon the building itself your" committee need not expatiate; its utility, internal arrangement and good taste, are self-evident,; and reflect great credit on both architect and builder.?;": The excess of the cost of erection considerably over? thY amount of the original contracts, and the deficiency; still-existing in the building fund, continue;-however ttf be the cause of much anxiety to" youjr committee. For the zealous co-operation afforded by the ladies and gentlemen of Nelson at its inauguration, when the Exhibition was held therein, your committee are very grateful. The works of art, objects virtue, and curiosities innumerable, which were then_so readily.contributed afforded the public in general "a- great 4 treat, and resulted in a pecuniary benefit to the Institution. It is hoped that this is but the harbinger of many, for it is, the high endeavor of this iDstitutibiTtq' Foster an emulating spirit of the kind by every' available means. :• ' :■:■* ■■'' '■ ' . .' ; The Nelson Institute is much indebted to, the Provincial Government and Council for a grant of and also to the liberal provisions made by the Nelson Trust Funds in aid of its building, library and museum, By means of the latter the library has'been considerably augmented,, so that with other books previously ordered,, and which have arrived simultaneously, they have now thepleasure of statin^ that upwards of 700 volumes of new works alone will be ready for circulation in a few days., 'In; addition to these there are 31 volumes on, Theology, History, Biography,. Science, and Travels, presented by the Bishop of Nelson. Of these collective works m&'ny are of a high order, and all are, without exception, by eminent authors in every department of knowledge. The 1500 geological specimens liberally presented by Neispn Trust Fundsi which are "suitably arTangedT ana* wilf amply repay a minute inspection, form the nucleus of a mussum. Since it has been established it has received the following valuable benefactions:—' -,;',

A cabinet of the timber trees of Ceylon: presented by Mr. Fitzgibboi)

Antique seals of the reign of Edward 1., and Egyptian mummy'cloth ; Bishop of Nelson. .Collection of Maori spears;" bequeathed by Mr. Fagan. :

New Zealand Curiosities; presented by Mr. Josiah Flight,' Tara:naki.:;; .% '■~::'-■{■ Specimens illustrative of the j&inei'al and Natural History of this Colony j by Messrs; v^danis, Uacket, 11. E. Curtis, Mohro, S. Robinson (of-Motupipi), W. Wells, A. R. M'Donald, J. Walker, and others; ■ ' ■ From the increased facility this building affords for the formation of ■clauses, .much may be expected though little has 'been hitherto achieved, a Drawing class is now being formed; by; Maxwell Bury, Esq., for which all subscriqers are eligible /or .membership at a ; .very trifling expense. , , Owing to the time occupied sin remo\:iug,-from the late building into the present one, andVhe disarrangement consequent upon that, andllolding the .Exhibition, we haye fewer lectures to allude to than usual. One that particularly deserves the notice and thank's of your committee was voluntarily given by Mr. Drew on the subject of Electricity; and he has announced his intention of giviug a second one shortly, with experiments as before.

In conclusion, yohr'. committee, can assure you that they will continue to avail themselves of the means of instruction arid,amusement whenever the opportunity presents itself.; . . • ' ' ...-. ;>. ;v-.' ■

The above report being adopted, the meeting proceeded to the election of auditors, when Messrs. T. R. Haeket and H. Drew were elected. ;

We believe the large assortment ot new books received by the Glenshee will be catalogued and ready for distribution very shortly., This addition is very acceptable, and likely to increase the roll of members. ' - :