TEMUKA MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1129, 22 January 1884, Page 3

TEMUKA MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

The following is the report of the Committee of the above Institute submitted to last Friday evening’s meeting : - “Your Committee have the honor to submit to you theirannual report and balance-she>-fc, which they (rust will be found satisfactory. Comparing this year’s balance-sheet with that of the preceding year we regret to find a falling off in the amount of subscriptions of £2 11s 6d. In 1882 the total number of members was 89 the amount of subscriptions received from same being £44 2s fid. In 1883 the number of subscribers was 72. Owing to this deficiency in income your Committee was compelled to dispense with several of the papers and magazines that had previously been taken, as it was necessary to practice the strictest economy in order to carry on in a solvent condition. Several papers have been sold at half price, after lying on the table until the new ones come in, viz., The Australasian, Punch, Government Gazettes, and New York Illustrated Times, Though your Committee do not think the librarian overpaid, yet they were obliged to reduce his salary by £5 per annum, and his commission on subscriptions 5 per cent. During the past year a number of printed circulars were sent to nearly all the residents, requesting them to become mem hers. This appeal was not altogethe without effect, as in response to it a few more members were added to the roll. An addition has been made to the furniture of the reading room of some cocoanut matting and arm chairs, at the cost of £7 3s 6d. It was hoped that these additional comforts would be the means of inducing others to join. The book insurance has been increased from £IOO to £IBO. We have to thank for free papers the proprietors of the following papers, viz., Evening Star, Tetnuka Leader, Weekly Times, Wanganui Chronicle and Tapanui Courier.” The balance-sheet showed : Receipts: Balance, December 31st, 1882, £l4 5s lid ; subscriptions, £4l lls ; Government grant, £2O 5s 2d ; sale of papers and catalogues, £4 4s lOd ; total, £BO 6s lid. Expenditure: Librarian, £3O 12s 8d ; papers, £l9 15s 8d ; chairs and matting, £7 3s fid ; insurance, £4 14s fid ; incidentals, £7 7s 4d ; balance, £lol3s 3d ; total, £BO 6s lid. The report _ and balancesheet were adopted. A discussion then took place as to allowing the use of the Reading room to a Debating Society, after which it was resolved —“ That it be a suggestion to the incoming Committee to place every facility in the way of allowing the use of the rooms to a Debating Society if such should be formed. The names officers elected for the ensuing year were given in our last issue. This concluded the meeting.