TEMUKA MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE

Temuka Leader, Issue 2314, 4 February 1892, Page 2

TEMUKA MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE

The annual meeting of members of the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute was held last Tuesday evening. Mr Blyth (president) occupied the chair, and about a dozen subscribers were present. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The president read the following report: To the members of the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute. Gentlemen, —Your committee, in again laying the past year’s balance-sheet before you, are sorry to say that they cannot report any improvement in the financial condition of the institute. You will see that, after deducting the balance of last year (£9 3s sd), our yearly income has only been £33 5s Bd, which sum, after using the strictest economy, is only barely sufficient to keep the doors open and a supply of papers on the table. This year you will observe that we only show a balance of £5 I.ls, against £9 3s 5d last year, but you must not think by that that we have got that amount in arrears—as the balance-sheet shows two years’ insurance premium paid against one last year. That sum of £3 9s 5d added to the £5 11s would place us much in the same position as last year. The reason the two years’ insurance premium appears in the balance-sheet is that the secretary has made the financial year end on the January 31st, 1892, instead of the December 31st. 1891, In conclusion, we have to thank you all for your past support, and, with best wishes for your future prosperity, we now submit this report and balance-sheet for your consideration and resign our charge. On behalf of the committee— James Blyth, President. The balance-sheet showed the total receipts to have been £42 9s Id, made up by a balance from the previous year of £9 3s sd, subscription and sale of papers £3O 2s Bd, subscription from Mi’ A-, E. G; Rhodes £2 2s, and one from the Temuka Caledonian Society of £1 Is. The expenditure amounted to £36 18s Id, including librarian’s salary and commission £l9 17s 9d, Messrs Hutton and Co. £8 15s 6d, and insurance £G 18s lOd. There was a balance to credit of £5 11s,

In moving the adoption of the report the president said he \yas sorry people did not take more interest in the institute. When the Government grant was stopped there were only 18 members, and about £3O were obtained from Government. In order to popularise the institute th e y reduced the fee to 10s, and they raised the membership to o,ver 60 members. There werq repairs to, be done, which would cost £2O, and they did not see how it could be done. He did not see ho\y they could ask anybody to five in. the institute during the winter if some repairs were not carried out. - Mr Salmond seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balancesheet. In reply to Mr Franks, the president said the back part was roofed with shingles twenty years old, and in a leaky condition. It would require, to, be covered with iron. In reply to Mr Salmond it was stated that there were 58 members on the roll, 7 of them being quarterly and 13 halfyearly, In reply to Mr Morton, the president said that £9 had been collected as a sub' scription to purchase books, Mr Farnie suggested that concerts should be Jiejd to raise funds. The president said committees had been foriped for carrying out the suggestion, but nothing had been done, although they wore musical people. The building wanted painting, and £2O were necessary to do all repairs. Mr Morton said he sympathised with the committee in their- struggles, and was sorry to see the people did not appreciate tire institute better. He thought there was nothing for it but to got up cutertainmwte.

Mr Egan suggested a self-denial week. (Laughter.) The president said the excuse people gave was that they had read all the books. He did not believe it. It was only an excuse. Messrs Salmond and Fannie suggested that members of the committee should canvass for new subscribers. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was than put and carried. RECOMMENDATION. Mr Salmond proposed—“ That the new committee be recommended' to appoint a committee to exchange books with the Pleasant Point Institute and canvass for new subscribers, and also special subscriptions towards repairing the building.” Mr Franks seconded the motion, and it was carried. The president said he had an idea to hand the institute over to the Town B6ard, but as they had taken the matter up so warmly he would not move in the matter. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were then elected ;—President, Mr Salmond ; vicepresident, Mr Farnie; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Storey; committee, Messrs Blyth, G-. McS. Gentlemun, Franks, Henry, Egan. Edwards, Beri, McLeod, E. Lee, and J. Harrison. VOTES OP THANKS. A vote of thanks, to the retiring officers was carried, Mr Blyth returned thanks for the vote, and said he was pleased at the turn things had taken that night. On the motion of Mr Famie a vote of thanks to the proprietors of papers supplied free to the institute was carried unanimously. The meeting then terminated. A committee meeting was then held, and it was deeided that the committee meetings be held on the second Tuesday in each month. The meeting then terminated.