LAWRENCE ATHENAEUM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 260, 23 January 1873, Page 6

LAWRENCE ATHENAEUM.

The statutory meeting for the election of a committee for the above institution, took place on Mmiday.nigjifc. J. C. Brown. Esq.. M.H.R, the President, occupied the chair and briefly explained the' object of the meeting,' and^ congratulated the members on the success that bad attended the efforts of Mr. Love, tbe new Librarian, to promote the welfare and extend the usefulness of the institution. The Secretary then read the report received at the annual meeting, also a supplementary report aud balance sheet for the quarter that had intervened, as follows : — Your Commlttoe in presenting this their supplementary report, have much pie^ure in stating that tha fiaancial position of the institutiou is very satisfactory. It will ba seen from the statements to be read, that the arrears of subscriptions have been reduced by one half, and that the number of subscribers has been increased by sixteen. These results have been owing to the exerbiona of J. C. Love, whom your Committee have appointed Secretary and Librarian. A valuable collection of skins of native birds, has been presented to the Athensum, by Dr. Hector, and the Museum has been enriched by this and other valuable contributions i y various gentlemen. His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman, has kindly consented to give a lecture in aid of the funds of our institution, on his visit here nest month. It will be necessary to give the public timely no ice of this so that the lecture may be a success. Mr. \V. G. Forbes having left the district,the office of Treasurer has became vacant. Your Oommitee desire to place on record their thanks to Mr Forbes for the valuable services rendered by him to the institution during the time be was connected with it. I Your Committee desire to poinb out the urgent necessity that exists for increased accommodation in the Athenaeum^ buildirig.The space at present available for the use of the Library, is altogether too small. The Museum which, doubtless, at no future day; will become a great source of attraction and instruction to members, is afc prssercfrjbf * very little benefit, owing to want of sufficTont space for the proper exhibition of the articles contributed. The want of a committee room is also greatly felt. • - ' - It is considered that the revenue that will in a short tinne most probahly-rjbe derived from ihe endowments of lana which have been granted to the Athenaeum, will warrant the fubure Commitbee iv increasing very materially the size of the building. It w 11 be necessary on 'he appointment of a new Committee, to codify the rules of the institution, in order that they may be properly certified, in compliance with the pro- " visions' of the J' Lawrsnce A'heuseuiii and Mining Institnte Ordinance, 1872." " The Rev. Mr. Beaumont suarqested tfi.-it there should be appended to ■ future reports, the number of 'books issued during the year, the number^of members, classifying them as adults and juveniles, and the class of works most read. The report on the motiou of Mr. Kus3ell, seconded by Mr. Burns, was received. • _ -A vote of rbanka was accorded to thp retiring Committee. I>lr. Perguaon, iv a highly complimentary speeeb,' proposed Mr. 3. C. Brown, M.H.E., as President. That gentleman, the speaker said, had beea i the life and soul of the institution.. : Siace its •fc&inatioa hoA worked for it

in and out of Parliament, and wjis entitled to the highest bouor they had in their power to confer. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation. The following gentlemen were nominated members of Committee :—: — Messrs. "V". Pyke, K.M., Abel, Squires, Ferguson. Arbuckle, Thompson, Halley, Burns, Lumsdcn, Stewart, Arthur^ aud Turnbull. The first named seven were elected. Mr. Abel was elected Treasurer/ This concluded the business.