MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS OF THE TUAPEKA ATHENÆUM TO CONSIDER SITE FOR NEW BUILDING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 10, 18 April 1868, Page 2

MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS OF THE TUAPEKA ATHENÆUM TO CONSIDER SITE FOR NEW BUILDING.

A well-attended meeting of. the subscribers to the Tuapeka Athenaeum took place on Tuesday evening, the 14th inst., to consider the most suitable site for the erection of a new building. John Herbert, Esq., was elected to the chair; and after reading the advertisement calling the meeting, he asked Mr- Tolcher, the Athensetim Secretary, to inform the meeting the state of affairs. Mr. Toloher said, the objeot of the meeting was as stated by the chairman. They were aware that a meeting was held in the month of October last, for the purpose of electing a new Committee. The existing Committee was elected at that meeting. He felt a desire to resign the office of Secretary, but was prevailed upon to continue ; and he had performed his duties to the best of his ability. Regarding the sites, the first one was that next to the Presbyterian Church, which was found to be very unsuitable. The Committee then applied to the Government for a site, and received a grant of the one at the corner of Gabriel's road. The Committee found that it would require a larger sum to erect a building thereon than they saw their way clear to raise. They made the Government aware of their position, and then got the option of a site on any part of the unsurveyed land of the township. The site" which presented itself to the Committee as suitable, was that opposite the Schoolhouse. As things progressed, they thought they might commence a building. They saw their way clear to raise £200 ; and they thought £50 more could be easily managed by lectures and entertainments ; so that, with the Government subsidy of £250, they might erect a good, servicable building on that site. Tenders were then called for and received ; but before they were opened, Mr. Bastings and Mr. Keen waited upon the Committee, as a deputation from the subscribers, praying that the site for the Athenaeum should be in a more central position than Irvine-street ; but as the site in Ross Place, originally selected, would cost more money by £100 at least than the Committee saw their way clear to raise, they did not feel justified in commencing the building on that place. It therefore remained with the subscribers to decide which site the building was to be erected upon. Mr. Potts would like to ask what constituted a subscriber. Mr. Tolchbb ; The payment of the subscription. A list of the subscribers (numbering 108) to the Athenaeum was then read. Mr. Donovan said they had come to select a site for the Athenseum, not which of two sites already selected would be most suitable. Mr. Tolcher said the advertisement referred to the sites they were to consider. Mr. Keen said, that might be Mr. Tolcher's interpretation ; but it was not his. The Committee had evidently come to that meeting, not to ascertain the mind^f the subscribers, but to dictate to them. He had no confidence in the Committee. It was his intention to propose a want of confidence in the Committee ; and in proposing that resolution, he felt he was performing a great duty. He hoped he would see it carried ; but if he failed, he would be "as jolly as a sand boy." The Committee may have done well ; but, had they asked the subscribers, they might have done better. They might have had a site, and a creditable building already erected upon it. He would propose, as a resolution, "That the subscribers have no confidence in the Committee." Mr. Clark begged to move, "That Mr. Keen's resolution be not maintained." Mr. Keen felt certain that the resohw tion would be carried. Mr. Clark : Did the Committee call this meeting, or was it called by Mr, Bastings ? The Chairman was informed that it was called by the Committee. i Mr. Morrison rose to speak ; but the resolution had not been seconded, so he resumed his seat. Mr. Gibb seconded the resolution. Mr. Donovan said he hoped they would bear with him for a few minutes, as he happened to be acquainted with the beginning of the Athenaeum. He would challenge contradiction.,, even by the Secretary. But he had a duty to perform ; and he would always endeavor to perform his duty, excepting, perhaps, at his banker's. A great deal had been said about Mr. Keen's motion. He would recommend those who live in glass houses not to throw stones. The Athenseum originated with the Progress Committee } and he was prepared to vindicate Mr. Keen's statement. The subcommittee constituted itself into a Committee. This Committee then went into what they considered a groat undertaking. — (The

Secretary : No, no.) But he would say, yes, yes. These facts could be substantiated by a reference to the Progress Committee books, which he thought were in the possession of Mr. Grove. He believed the Committee had arroga+«d to itself a power that did not belong to it. There had been on that Committe selfinterested men ; and lie thought cueir term of office should cease that night. If an Athenseum was to be built, there was the plan before them to select a site in a central position, so that the men of the east and west, north and south, might have no reason of complaint. Personally, he did not care where it was built. He could live in Peel-street without lie Athenseum. If he could not get sale for his nobblers in Peel-street, he could take his kit and work. It had been said that Lawrence was greatly divided. Let them leave their differences on matters of importance such as the present. Let a Committee be elected, to look out a site ; and let it be in a central position. Such a course would please the majority, and it would induce a great many to become subscribers. Mr. Tolcher wished to make an explanation. He saw a gentleman (Mr. Walsh) in the room who could bear him omt in his remark, one who had worked hard for the Athenseum. The sub-Com-mitte Mr. Donovan referred to had power to add to its number. Mr. Walsh was a member of that Committee. It was a provisional Committee ; and it was arranged that it should not beg, but that it should provide entertainments, lectures, &c. The Government informed them that they would supply them with £100 worth of books for £50. The first thing the Committee Bought was a Library. That Committee resigned ; and the present one was elected at a meeting held in the Athenseum. If the subscribers had 'no confidence in them, they would at once resign ; but he would teU them, if they adopted that course, now that the Committee was prepared to get up a building, they would find that all the work would require to be gone over again. They must remember that there was no gentleman in the Committee who had a salary for his work, or was personally interested in it ; and if he gave his time and his money towards the institution, he did not think it was fair to be challenged by the subscribers. The Committee had given their time ; and if they did not approve of the steps which, had been taken, the work would be upset, andthey would certainly have opposition. Dr. Halley would not say many words, "By their fruits ye shall know them." He held that the Athenseum was a disgrace to the place ; and he thought Mr, Keen had done a public duty in bringing forward that motion. It would not do to make a comparison between their Athenseum and the Dunedin one ; but he thought they should make some ap- * proximation to it. Their Library consisted of a mass of waste paper and rubbish. A friend of his was in Lawrence the other day, and went to consult the ' *Encyclopaediaßritannica,"andfound it was the the thirtieth or fortieth edition of the year 1740, or thereabouts. He would give him Mr-. Punch's advice about marriage — Don't go. Mr. Walsh said he was a member of the Progress Committee ; but Mr. Tolcher had given him more credit than he l deserved, as he resignen when he found he could not afford the time necessary to perform the duties to his satisfaction, Mr. Mears would say, in reply to Mr. Tolcher, that were the meeting to vote for the resolution, it would throw nothing back, but rather believed that it would do more to make it go a-head. Mr. Carr would like to know if they had come to discuss things not connected with the meeting. All that talk was, going for nothing. He thought the business should be at once proceeded with. Mr. Bastings rose to propose an amendment to the resolution. He did; not go so far as the mover of that motion. He knew committees were fallible. There were a few of the books in the, Athenseum very inferior, such as were referred to by Dr. Halley ; but it was easier for any one to rise and speak on the shortcomings of a Committee than to take their place. It was a hard up-hill fight. Mr. Bastings then explained the action which he and Mr. Keen had taken, as a deputation to the Committee. (The business laid before the Committee appeared in our report of the meeting in the " Tuapeka Time 3 " of the 4th inst. J The original site was admirably suited for the purpose of an Athenseum. It would suit the circle of population &Q round Lawrence. Referring to the conduct of the- meeting, Mr. Bastings said they felt a pleasure in taking a "rise** out of each other. He would now pro-, pose the amendment as follows :— " That the Athenseum he built upon the site at the corner of Gabriel's road, which was originally intended for it." Mr. Potts seconded the amendment. Mr. Donovan said it was no site at all, He did not think that was an amendment. The Chairman believed it to be an amendment in every sense of the word. Mr. Donovan would submit that the resolution should first be negatived. Mr. Keen said it was not an amendment. Mr. Clark would move, "That this meeting has every confidence in the Committee." Mr. Bastings : This meeting is en- | tirely out of order. It was called for a specific purpose. Here a confusion arose from several gentlemen wishing to speak to the motion and the amendment, who had previously spoken, Mr. jAMraseN said, on behalf of the Committee, he would move, " That the resolution be put to. the meeting." The resolution and am,endmentTwer« each put to the meeting; and a large majority for the amendment was. \h,& result. Mr. Carr proposed., " That the site be the one opposite the School." Mr. Nicholson seconded the resolu? tion,. Mr. Donovan thought a more central place could be had. He saw it was a good thing to have a little selfiqhnesjs, so he would propose, "That the jute be hg Peel-street." There were some reserves next to Mr. Herbert's dtydling-hottw which would suit well. , ~'^^B Mr. Kebn seconded this ttw*isn} -Mf

Mr. Adam then explained by diagrams the position of each of the two sites, showing their relative merits, as regards size and suitableness for building upon. The Ross Place site he thought might colt more for a foundation than they had been told. He drew the attention of the subscribers to the fact, that if they de- . - termined upon any other site than the V Irvine-street one, they would necessarily forgo any claim to the latter. And tf they considered Mr. Donovan's resolution, they would, as a matter of course, •lose both. He also referred to the fact of the town growing in the direction of Irvine-street more than elsewhere. A discussion then arose as to who had been longest in the district, and another scene of confusion occurred. It was then proposed by Mr. Adbms, and seconded by Mr. Cabr, " That the votes be taken by ballot:" Mr, Bastings .suggested that the voting be kept open for forty-eight hours, to give those subscribers who were not at the meeting an opportunity of voting. Mr. Meabs put the above in the form of » resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Hbnbbbson, Mr. Donovan moved, as an amendment, " That the votes be taken immediately." The amendment was carried. The result of the voting was as folows: — Site opposite School 23 „, Corner of Gabriel's road - 16 „ Peel-street - - - 8 The stormy meeting then closed, to the apparent satisfaction of the School party.