BANGIORA LITERARY INSTITUTE.

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 3058, 10 June 1875, Page 3

BANGIORA LITERARY INSTITUTE.

The annual general meeting of the members of this institute was held in the hall on Tuesday evening: There were about twenty five present, Mr C. Merton, president occupying the chair. The Chairman said that he should have liked to have seen a larger attendance, but trusted several new members would be induced to join the institute this year. This was the fourth annual meeting of members, and he was glad to have to report that the institution was in such a flourishing condition, as the treasurer's books showed that it was. During the last year there had not been as many members as could have been wished, but he hoped that the general public of the place would take more interest in the institute. Tbe hall had been well patronised by persona giving entertainments in the place, and a considerable sum had been received for tbe use of it. During last winter a discussion class was started, which had been fairly successful, and had been continued this season. It was the intention of the committee so give a series of popular entertainments during the winter months, which he hoped to see succeed. He then called upon tbe secretary to read the report for last year. The secretary (Mr R. Aherne) then read the report as follows :—" Your committee have again occasion to congra'ulate the members of this institute on this, the fourth annual meeting of members, and are gratified that they can retire from office with a credit balance at the bank and a prospect of further success. At the last general meeting it will be remembered that the number of committee was reduced to twelve, and a register of attendance should be kept. This has been done, with the effect of encouraging a more regular attendance to the business, and also in the punctuality of the members. The same numbers still remain who were elected in June last. During the year the items of interest that have occurred have been the arrival of the books ordered from England through the Provincial Government, which have proved a valuable addition to the library, and are a credit to the shelves, being well and strongly bound, besides being works of an instructive and useful nature and procured at a reasonable cost. The formation of a Mutual Improvement Association waa also agreed to at last meeting, and steps were immediately taken to carry out the wish of the general meeting. The class for discussion was throughout the season well attended, and it will be continued this year by the same members with some additions. A chess club has also been formed in connexion witb thiß society. The committee having received further assistance from the Government for the purchase of books, have respectfully memorialized his Honor the Superintendent to recommend to the Provincial Council to adopt the system of importing books for libraries, and have lately received a reply, stating that the Government will accede to the request; therefore a sub-committee has been appointed for the purpose of preparing a list of the books most required, which will be forwarded to the Government. It has been found necessary to provide increased accommodation in the shape of a Übrary and reading-room, either in the front or at the side of tbe present building. This matter has evoked considerable discussion, as the funds at the disposal of the committee for that purpose are not sufficient to allow of an expansive work, and a definite decision bas not been arrived

at. In the meantime the committee are endeavoriug to augment the funds for this work by holding a series of entertainments, which, at a snail charge, it is expected will be a source of profit as well as amusement. One of these has been given and was fairly attended, and the next will take place on Thursday. It is intended to continue them daring the winter months. The committee are indebted to Professor Bickerton for the delivery of a lecture on Agricultural Chemistry, which it is hoped will be supplemented by another. A catalogue of the books at present in the library has been compiled and printed, for which the committee are much indebted to Messrs Buckham and Tribe, who volunteered their services for the purpose. The committee cannot but feel surprised that the increased advantages offered by this institute have not met with the support which should have resulted from their efforts to afford instruction and amusement to the public, as it appears from the treasurer's statement there have been only forty-five annual and fifteen quarterly members on the books for the past year. This, in the face of suoh an increase in the population, is much to be regretted, and the committee hope that their efforts will be responded to in a manner during the coming year. The hall has beer, frequently let, and realised a fair rental, and the scale of charges has been somewhat lessened." The treasurer (Mr E. R. Good) then read the financial statement for the year :—Receipts by balance from June, 1874, £93 9s lid ; rent of hall, £35 ss; Government grant, £200; discussion class, £1 9s 3d ; proceeds of lecture, £2 6s 6d ; members subscriptions, £30 4s—total, £363 7s Bd. Expenditure—lncidental expenses, £8 12s 9d ; cleaning and lighting, £21 9s 6d ; insurance, £5 5s ; furniture and improvements, £28 13s 7d ; papers, £10 9b lOd ; books, £65 19s; advertising, £7 14s; balance from piano fund, &c, £15 8"s Id ; catalogues, £7—total, £171 Is 9d. Balance in hand, £192 5s lid. Piano fand—Receipts, £12 13s 6d ; expenditure balance, June Ist, 1874, £17 14s lid ; tuniDg and advertising, £6 16s 2d ; debit balance, carried to ordinary account, £11 17s 7d. Building fund, in hand, £3 2s Total funds to credit of institute, £195 7s lid. The reports as read were received and adopted. Mr Aherne gave notice of motion that at the next general meeting of members he would move—" That for the future only six of the members of the committee should retire at the end of each year." The meeting then proceeded to elect a committee for the ensuing year, and the following persons were proposed, viz:— Messrs Ellis, H. Boyd, Keir, Thome, E. R. Good, Cunningham, Stalker, Aherne, Merton, Tribe, Hunnibell, T. Boyd, Buckham, H. Blackett, jun, and Faulkner. The votes were taken, and the first twelve were declared duly elected. The meeting then terminated With a vote of thanks to the chairman.