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Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 209, 29 May 1902, Page 3

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The animal meeting was held last evening in the Library buildings, Mr W. M. Hamilton In the chair. There was not a large attendance at first, but several came in later. Apologies were received from Messrs Grant, Menzies, 0, Akhurst, and Graham. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The committee’s report wis read as follows : Your committee report that since the l ist annual meeting the important work of disposing of the old library site and acquiring a now one aivl erecting a suitable building had been successfully completed in accordance with instruc--tions uiven at different meetings M subscribers held prior to la-t annual meeting. Your com mi' tee hive ala, ti report that a suit ib'e st ck of rooks has bee , obtained and pi c.’d upon the shelves. A catalogue of same ha.i been prepare I and prirded, and .night be obtained at the small cost of 61.

The expenditure nc essary in providing the bail iing a dbo ,as and in fir ni-,h i.g the buil ling 'had ab-m be; 1 all i'ne momy which the sale of lie “Id s le produce.l. Ihe ins'iln'.ion rttried pr c ically frer of debt. With the advantage of comfortable mo ns ami an i a seiectc I stock of books the committee confidently hoped it wis about, v, on er upon a prosperous and niece M'ul a;age <d existence. Tho lime winch e apsed since the lire an>l the erection of new buddings hid been a trying one, a id on account of tho want of acenm no lation ami of boohs there was inevitably a great falling off of membership, but with the comp.etio.i 0 f the new buildings a mark-d improvement had tak-m place, and if thus continued the success of the i stitution should be assured. The committee urged cor dial and hearty co operation in adva ncin K the interests of the institution.

la moving the adoption of the report the chainnm said there was little to say. In regard to the selection of the books the committee hail in view the object of suiting as large a number of readers as possible. Ho did not know if they had succeeded. Some said there were too many works of fiction, and others said there was nothing lint history. It was hard to please all, but in th" selection they had in view the the popularising of the library. Within the last few weeks the membership had increased greatly and there was now 100 financial members. This was satisfactory as a start, hnt they desired to gain a great number more in order-to put the institution on a financial basis. They practically started free of debt, but with a few improvements they might need a small overdraft.

Mr Saunders thought the selection of books a very good one and that there was no ground for complaint. He seconded the motion. This was put and carried unanimously. The report of the treasurer was read by Mr M. Smith. It showed that flie income from all sources was £lB2 and the expenditure £452, leaving a credit of £3O. The chairman said they had a valuable asset in the piano. It was on offer and if sold would clear off their debt. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. The next business was the election of officers. Mr W. M. Hamilton, in vacating the chair, said he thought he had now held the olfici long enough, and they should got a new president. Mr Scott thought they could not better Mr Hamilton. Mr Milson said Mr Hamilton had had a trying time as president since the fire, and it was

right he should have a chance of running it now it was more flourishing. He took it a compliment that the subscribers had not turned up in force —there must be nothing to complain of. Mr Hamilton finally consented and was unanimously elected.

Eleven were nominated for the committee. The rale says that there shall be “no less than eight,” bat it was thoaght desirable by some to increase the

number. Aa amendment in favour of eight was lost and the motion carried. This resulted in the election of Messrs Hamilton, C. Akhurst, Menziea, M. Smith, Milson, W, J. Wills, Graham, C. A. Wilson, Cox, Scott, Grant and Nicol.

A resolution was passed thanking Mr Coltinan for donating a clock and Mr G. H. Graham for his ofter of another, which was accepted. On Mr Saunders’ motion it was decided to recommend the committee to replace “The Engineer” in the reading room.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing committee on the motion of Mr Akhurst, seconded by Mr Saunders. A special vote of thanks was passed to the president (Mr Hamilton), and Messrs Menssies, 0. Akhurat and Grant (secretary)

forltheir services. A committee meeting was held afterwards. Mr Grant was reelected secretary and Mr M. Smith treasurer. It was decided to hold over the matter of purchasing the “ Engineer ” till next meeting. A vote-of thanks was passed to Dr Barclay for a donation of £2 2s,

It was decided to send donors of £1 Is or upwards a complimentary ticket for one year.