LITERARY INSTITUTE.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2553, 7 July 1871, Page 2

LITERARY INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting of the members of the Literary Institute was held last evening at the institute. The attendance was rather limited, owing, no doubt, to the attraction at the Drill-shed. The president, the Rev. C. Fraser, took the chair.

The minutes of last annual meeting were read and confirmed.

The Chairman opened the proceedings byreading the following report for the year ending June 30th, 1871 :— " AXXUAL BEPOBT. - " The committee feels gratified in being able to submit a report which shows decided improvement in every department of the institute. Through the liberal contributions which have been received" from various sources, as shown in the treasurer's state-, ment, upwards of 500 volumes have been added to the library during the year, including many works of standard and perment value, as well as several of the latest books of science, travels, biography, and history. Honey has also been remitted to Eugland for about 100 volumes of the same character ; and there are funds on hand for the purchase of several works of reference, which will greatly tend to the completeness of that section of the library. Some progress has also been made in binding the loose numbers of many of the more popular magazines, as the " Art Journal," " Alacmillan," and "Temple Bar." The entire number of volumes in the library is 2300. exclusive of unbound magazines and pamphlets.

"At the same time, very much has been done to promote the comfort of members using the library and reading-room. The reading-room has been supplied with chairs instead of forms; the tables have all been covered with green baize, and a new writing table has been added. Tie entrance aaU has

assumed a lighter and more pleasant appear- , ance through the introduction of a glass i door. ■. -i i " Gas has been introduced into the whole : building. A new ceiling has been added to j the reading-room, by which its • appearance i has been much improved, and the warmth j and comfort of the room increased. The j daily use ef the two (ire-places also contributes to the same effect. " The whole building, and in particular the roof, has been examined, aad the neces- j sary repairs have been effected. The grounds j have aiso been put in order, and all the paths j reformed. , , j "A French class has been formed under , the care of Mr Digby. and is open to all the ; members at a very moderate charge. It is ; at present well attended. j • ; The Chess Club is also open to the members of the institute at an additional charge ! of 2s 6d per quarter. The chess and draught •boards belonging to-the institute may be i used at any time by the members, whether ! connected with the club or not. "According to a bye-law lately passed, members may obtain two books at once on payment of an additional 10s per annum. " As a proof that these improvements have been appreciated by the public, the committee can state that the number of members has increased to 210 as against 140 for last year. There is also a very marked increase in the ordinary attendance at the reading room The number of volumes taken out from the library during the year amounts _to 5500. The total income from subscribers for the year is £187 10s. as against £145 16s for last year, thus showing an increase of £41 Us. • " The committee confidently anticipates that there wil 1 be a still greater increase of subscribers during the ensuing year. The institute affords advantages of which any member of the community maybe glad to avail himself, and which are not to be had elsewhere. "Appended to this report are—l. List of donations; and 2; Treasurer's financial statement.

" Chables Fraser, ■- ■ "President. DONATIONS TOWARDS IMPROVEMENTS.

"Mr Pratt, total expense of improvements on reading-room, glass-door, : &c.,'&;c., £14 ; Mr Colin, clock ; Mr T. Jones, timber for shelves and gutter boards ; Mr Martin, calico for mounting maps, &c." DOXATIpNS OP BOOKS. "Mr Bowman, 8 vols.; a Friend, 2 ; AntiSlavery Society, 1 ; Philosophical Society, 3 ; Sir Fan-. 1 ; Dr Powell (Nature). 9 parts ; Mr Gould, 150 ; Mr Adams, 3 ; Mr Lake, 3 ; the Colouial Government, statutes, proceedings 1 ; sundry papers, gazettes, Hansard; the Canterbury Government, ordinances, Gazettes; theOtago Government, Proceedings of Council. - .

" Ist: July, 1871."

The following is an abstract of the Treasurer's report for the year : —Gross receipts, £327 13s 10d ; expenditure, £278 3s scl ; leaving a balance in hand of £60 I4ts Bd. against which there are accounts. not yet paid, amounting to £37 12s (Jd. The actual balance in favor of the Institute/is thus £23 2s 2d, against £114s 3d, at'tlie same period of last year. .

The CHAIRMAN stated, that th^e,increase of the receipts for members was larger than might at first appear, inasmuch as" it represented only a part of theyear, antl would of course show a much larger increase on the whole. The committee would be glad to answer any questions. ' i

Mr G. Halt, then moved the adoption of the report. Every credit was due. to the committee for the impitived appearance and greater efficiency of the institute. There was no doubt a very great improvement on last year in e\crv way.

Mr \V. H. Siaims seconded the motion which was unanimously carried.

• The Chairman announced that the next business before the meeting was the election of officers for the year. ; ■

The following officers were appointed— Patron, his Honor the Superintendent; president, Mr 11. J. Tancred; vice-presidents, Rev C. Fraser and Dr Prius ; treasurer, Mr J. Thomson; librarian, Uev G. Cotferill > secretary, Mr A. C. Fyfe; members of committee. Messrs Pratt, Bird, Crosbic, Black. Worthyj Dymock, and Dr Tnrnbnli.

The Chairman brought up the following recommendation from the committee —'That the following words should be added to Rule 4, regarding the retirement of officers, viz., 'except the three junior committee-men who shall remain in office for another year.' " Mr Pratt moved the adoption of the above, as it had been shown to be a necessary alteration. The motion was carried* '. _ : The Chairman announced that a catalogue was in preparation, on a more improved principle, inasmuch as ib would' facilitate examination of the books in the library. In reply to a question from Mr G.Hall. The Chairman said that the magazines were given but to members of the institate. after being a mouth in the reading room. Mr Martin moved a vote of thanks to the retiring officers, which was carried unanimously. — . . . ' A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.