NELSON INSTITUTE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 89, 16 April 1896, Page 2

NELSON INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Nelson Institute wa** held last evening, Mr J. T. Catley presiding. The annual report, -fljhicli was read by tbe Secretary and Treasurer (Mr A. J. Redgrave) showed the receipts — including a balance of £12 3s 6d brought forward— to have been £141 175, and the expenditure £140 Is 9d leaving a balonce of £1 15s 3d. During the year two able lectures had been delivered -one by Mr Anderson on " Ui-metallism," the other by the Rev. E. C. Isaac on " Wit and Humour" and the thanks of members were due to the lecturers. The subscriptions amounted to £110 12s, and the number of subscribers remained at 130. It was stated that the funds available for the purchase of new books was very limited, only about £8 being devoted to that purpose. The report continued :— This small sum was expended in purchasing new books (chiefly fiction) by popular authors, and the selection appears to have given satisfaction to subscribers. Several new magazines have been added to the periodical literature during the year. The Committee have much pleasure in informing tho members of tbe Institute and the public that during the last session of Parliament "The Reserves Disposal and Exchange Act " was passed ; clause 15 of the Act providing for an endowment of 2000 acres of land for the Nelson Institute. The Committee, after' making the fullest inquiries of the Lands Penwtment as to the best land available tor selection in the Nelson district, havo recommended the Government to grant 2000 acres in the Tadmor survey district, and the land being of good quality, tbey hope (if their recommendation is approved) to be able to lease the land in small block", and t derive a sullleient sum to enable the Free Reading Room to be re-oponed to' the j public, and tho funds of tho Institute placed on a more satisfactory basis. "Tho members of our Institute, and tho publio generally are greatly indebted to Mr Graham, tho mombor for the city, for the trouble he has taken and tho energetic way in which ho has worked in our interests, and brought this matter to so successful an issue." " The Committee desire to record their thanks to members who have placed newspapers and periodicals on the tables for tho use of subscribers, and to those memhors who havo generously given books to the Institute, also to tho proprietors of tho Wellington "Evening Post," for supplying tho paper free of charge." "Tho Committee again desire to express their satisfaction at tho efficient manner in which tho duties of librarian havo been carried out, and the energy and zeal displayed by Miss Reeves in promoting the interests of tho Institute generally." Tho Chairman said that if thoy could/ let the 2000 acres endowment at a reasonable figure their difficulties would be over. They would probably get 9d an acre. Tlio land had been very much inquired after during several years past. Mr J. Graham §aid that though they might have to wait a little time, thero was no question about them getting the land as soon as Government could let them have it. The report and balance sheet wore adopted. The following were elected a Committee : — Messrs E. Beacham, J. T. Catley, A. J. Redgrave, D. Grant, J. Graham, S. R. White, T. Raine, H. W. Robinson, J. P. Harris, Dr Hudson and Dr Gibbs Tho Chairman said it remained for tho Commifctoo to appoint ono other Committeeman, making tho number up to 12 On the motion of Mr J. P. Harris, votes I of thanks were passed to Mr Redgrave (Sec ), and to the Librarian, Miss Reeves. With the usual oompliment to the chair tho raeeeting olosed.