TUAPEKA ATHENÆUM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 251, 21 November 1872, Page 7

TUAPEKA ATHENÆUM.

The annual meeting of subscribers to the Tuapeka Athenaeum was held in the hall of that institution on Thursday evening last. J. C. Brown, Esq., M H.R., the President, occupied the chair.

The minutes of the last annual meeting were read aud confirmed.

• The President said that when the meeting was called the Committee were not aware thai the Lawrence Athenaeum Corporation Ordinance provided that the election of the tirst Committee under it alionld take place in January next. It would, however, be for the meeting to decide whether it would elect a fresh Committee, to \hold office till January, or reappoint the' present Committee. He would draw attention to the fact that the institution had, during the past year, been self-sup-porting. Last year 500 acres of land had been voted as an endowment. This would prove in timp to come n valuable source of income, although for a few years it would return only a nominal annual rental. During the year the Committee had endeavoured to add as many late works as possible to the library. An order had been despatched for a large number of books, but the Education Board raised a difficulty about their being supplied at thd same rate as previously. He had waited upon the Provincial Executive in' reference to this matter, and it was probable whtn the books arrived in Dunedin they would be able to get them at the old rates, viz., half, price.

The President then read the annual report as follows : —

Your Committee, in presenting their report for the year ending 30th September, 1872: has the pleasure to report that during the year the progress of the institution has been satisfactory. The accounts show a steady increase in the number of subscribers, and in the number of books circulated. The Committee, thinking it advisable to offer inducements to the young of the district to avail themselves of the advantages of the institution,- passed a resolution allowing youths under 14 years of age to become subscribers at half the usual rate. This has been found to work tolerably well - a number of people "having through this become subscribers. The library has been increased" by a number of standard works, and an order for a very considerable number, comprising most of the latest works of interest', Fu addition is now on its way. The books ordered have been selected with great care, and there is every probability that the Government will contribute towards the payment of them.

Through the exertions of J. C. Brown, Esq., M. H. R. , the Athenaeum has been enriched by a small but valuable collection of miueralogical and other specimens. This collection, with other specimens presented by gentlemen in the district, wJIU it v hoi c ', form th/ nucleus of a museum which will be of gie*t^ value ia the future.

During the lait session of the Provincial Council two Ordinances werp passed, which have since received the asient of His Excellency the Governor, constituting the Coinmittog <$f Athenaeum a corporate body, and vesting 19 rt; the liitnl previously reserved for the use of tftsJ Athenaeum. 1 The Council also granted *njp^ downient of' SQP acres of land in additfog^toJ fchat alreajty »esuire»l, to assist in foianujf a, jMrmanent m<Kin*bf revenue for the AtjjMpiai. purinf l**t winter the usual readHMfrtook Ij^kj*; Soft" Vincent Pyke. E«q, R.l»)^indly «skv«S &{ {pc&ife in aid o£ the funds of the institution.' The reading* *n,d Mr. PfKe-Vj lecture contri'mtc'l cowiMern'My to the instgjictji tion of the' members and others attending won.. j ■ The' Treasurer's statement will show iftwt, the re-<idirt£B a '"' lecture have been a source of profit, and will ithp Miow that the pecuniary position of the instiiution is sanisfitcrory.

The Committee have greatly to 1 egret the deafh of Mr. Doiulu? Love, the SecretaryI'taring his illness, Ijis brother, Mr. .7. 0. Love, kinrl'y attended to the duties appertaining to the office of Secretary. After the dciirh of Mr. Douglas Love, the Committee appointed him ( % lr, J. C. Love) temporarily to that office. The cure and attention displayed by hiui since he has und^tokea the-tlutiea lead ti>e Coninu'ttee

earnestly to recommend to its successors his permanent appointment. The numher of meetings attended during the year by members of Committee were as follows :— J\lr. J."C. Rrown.7 ; Mr. Abel, 10; Mr. Arbuokle, 12; Mr. Humphrey, 14 , Mr. Forbes, 12; Mr. W. D, Morriicn, 2 ; Mr. Ludford 1 ; Mr. F. Bastings, 10. The report was adopted. The financial statement for the year (which appears in another column) was read and adopted.

A desultory discussion as to whether it was advisable to elect a fresh Committee or request the present Committee to hold office till January, ensued. Finally, on the motion of Mr. Hay, seconded by Mr. Burns, it was resolved to adopt the latter course.

* The President announced that he had obtained some valuable contributions to the Museum from the Government Geologist, and was promised some from the Dunedin Museum. He hoped that residents in the district would forward to the Athenajuin anything curious or interesting" they might come across ; by that means the Committee would be able to exchange with other places, thereby enhancing the value of the local museum. On the motion of Mr. Jamison, Beconded by Mr. Hay the Committee were reqie.tedto act on the rec >mmendation contained in their report relative to the appointment of Mr. J. C. Love as Librarian. A vote of thanks to the Chair brought the proceedings to a close.