TEMUKA MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1844, 24 January 1889, Page 2

TEMUKA MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting of the members was held last Tuesday evening, at which the president, Mr Jaraea Blyth, presided. About 12 members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following report and balance-sheet were read; — “To the Members of the Terauka Mechanics’ Institute.

“Gentlemen, —I have the honor to report: Since the last annual meeting there have been twelve ordinary and five special meetings, all of which have been well attended. The position of librarian has changed twice during the year. At a special general meeting on February Ist it was decided to reduce the subscription to 10s yearly, 5s fid half-yearly, and 3s quarterly. On March 23rd, at a special general meeting, a resolution was passed closing the institute on Sundays from that date; this, with the reduction of the subscription, being the means of obtaining a number of new members, making an increase over last year of £l3 4s. This year, having no grant from Government, and spending a much larger sum on the repairs to the buildings, the committee have been unable to supplement the library. We commenced the year with 17 yearly members, and now have_63. Being dependent entirely on subscriptions for support, it is absolutely necessary that eacn member should try and get others to join, “James Blyth, “ President.” Receipts—To bank balance Dec. 31, 1887, £4l2s 8d ; subscriptions, £43 4s fid; use of room, 5s ; sale of old books and waste paper, £llss 5d ; total, £4917#7d. Expenditure —By librarian’s salary, £l6 14s 8d; librarian’s commission, £1 6s fid; papers and periodicals, £l7 Os 4d ; repairs to building, £8 14s ; insurance, £3 9s fid ; advertising, 16s fid ; incidentals, 7s fid ; balance to credit as per pass book, £1 8s 8d ; total, £49 17a 7d. The outstanding liabilities amount to £5 7s Id. Mr J. Aehwsll, auditor, certified that the accounts were correct. The president said that notwithstanding the success which attended the lowering of the subscriptions there was nothing to spare, There were some unusual liabilities last year, owing to their having to repair the roof, but he hoped that would not occur again. He moyed the adoption of the report. The motion was seconded by Mr Gentlemun, and carried without discussion. On the motion of Mr Clinch, a rote of thanks to Mr Ashwell for auditing the accounts was carried.

On the motion of Mr Rutland, a vote of thanks was passed to the president and the officers of the past year. Mr Blyth acknowledged the compliment, and said the work was a pleasure to him. The following officers were then elected: —President, Mr James Blyth; vicepresident, Mr B. Lee; _ secretary and treasurer, Mr John McGaskill; committee, Messrs Gentlemun, Archer, Rutland, Morton, Coira, Beri, Andrews, Lawson, Edwards, and Rutledge. Mr Blyth thanked the meeting for reelecting him as president, Mr Winning suggested that entertainments should be got up, consisting of singing and the reading of essays. The president said it was a very good idea, and something might bo done in it during the winter evenings. Mr Winning suggested that the entertainments should be as free as possible. The subject was talked over to the above effect, but nothing definite was done. The meeting then terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman. Committee Meeting. Afterwards a meeting of'the newlyelected Committee was held. Present— Messrs Jas. Blyth (President), E. Lee, McGaskill, Gentlemun, Archer, Rutland, Andrews, Rutledge, and Morton. On the motion of Mr Rutland, seconded by Mr Lee, it was resolved that the Committee meet on the second Tuesday in each month. On the motion of Mr Morton, seconded by Mr Gentlemun, Messrs McGaskill, Rutland, Rutledge, and J. Andrews were appointed a committee to inquire into the best method of getting up a series of entertainments in the reading room of the institute, and to report at the next meeting. The meeting then terminated.