TUAPEKA ATHENÆUM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 25 April 1868, Page 2

TUAPEKA ATHENÆUM.

The Committee met in the Athenaeum Building, on Saturday evening, the 18th instant. Present : Messrs, Jameson (in the chair), Hayes, Russell, Morrison, Stenhouse, Marshall, and Secretary. The Secretary said the first thing for the Committee to do, was to decide what course Bhould be adopted; whether the tenders for the new building should be opened, or what should be done. The Chairman, (for the information of Mr. Marshall, who had been away from home) stated that the site selected by the subscribers at tb.e. special, meeting h,ejd on Monday evening, was the one opposite the Schoolhouse ; but he (the Chairman) said the Committee could not close their eyes to the fact that there' existed a considerable amount of opposition to go on with the building. He feared it might debar, them, from raising the necessary funds. He would ask the Secretary if he thought there was any doubt as to getting the money "required ? The Secretary, in reply, said he had heard from Mr. Brown that the vouchers for the £250 from Government had been signed, s.o that now the Committee were in a position to olaim the amount.' If it was decided to have a brick building, he (the Secretary) was informed that the bricks could be had on very easy terms, and he had received an oner from Mr. Mackney, which he (the Secretary) purposed laying before the Committee after the tenders were opened. Although they had a strong opposition, their friends were also strong, and they were anxious that the Committee should go on with the building. He had heard of a person likely to take the sites in Ross Place. The Chairman said he was in a position to state that he knew of a person prepared to lend the Athenaeum £100 for nine months, at interest of 12£ per cent, per annum. The Secretary thought they would be quite justified in opening the tenders. Mr. Marshall thought that under the circumstances, they ought to stick to the site at the Schoalhou.se, Mr. Morrison asked what should be done as regards the Committee, the. attendance being so meagre. The Secretary said the Committee had power to add to its number. He had heard of several influential gentlemen who would gladly take a part in it. It was then proposed and carried that tenders for the erection of the building be opened. There were six tenders, and they stood as follows :-— TENDERS FOB, WOODEN BUILDING. Mr. J. Mackney £466 0 0 „ Morrison 486 0 0 „ Walker and Finlay ... 485 0 0 „ Aimers , 485 10 6 „ Macdpnald ,„ .., 420 13 0 „ Mears „. ... 499 10 0 TENDERS FOR BRICK BUILDING. Mr. J. Mackney £493 18 9 „ Aimers 535 0 0 ! „ Walker and Finlay .., 595 0 0 ! „ Morrison 604 0 0 „ Macdonald .., „, 634 13 0 „ Mears „, „, O 0 Mr. Morrison proposed, and Mr. Russell seconded — ''That the building be erected brick." There being no objection to the motion, it was carried unanimously. The Secretary then read Mr. Mackney 's letter, which was to the effect that if his tender was excepted, he would be prepared to take £350 cash- during the progress of the building, and the remainder- in bills of three, six, and nine months. Mr. Russell moved, and Mr. Marshall seconded—" That Mr. Mackney's tender be accepted, viz.", £493 18s. 9d," Carried unanimously. The chairman suggested that the Secrebe instructed to inform Mr. Mackney as to the terms upon which the Committee could obtain bricks from Mr. Walker. If they could get Mr. Mackney to accept the arrangement as to the bricks, a considerable saving would thereby be effected. _ It was agreed that this matter be left in the hands of the Chairman to arrange between Mr. Mackney and, Mr. Walker. On being asked a question with referto the £100, The Chairman replied that the offer was open for any,indefinite time. Mr. Morrison suggested that the Secretary should obtain the usual contractors', agreement forms, as it would save « time and trouble in drawing up the agreement. This concluded the business of the meeting.