KAIAPOI INSTITUTE.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4636, 10 June 1880, Page 3

KAIAPOI INSTITUTE.

A meeting of the committee of this institute was held on Monday evening. Present—Messrs J. Lowthian Wilson (president), Powell, Hewlings, Smith, Goldthorpe, Bourke, Pinching, Bevell, and Soulby. The library committee reported in favor of a new register for recording theisaueof books. Their report was adopted. The popular entertainments oommittee was granted an extension of time in which to report. On the motion of Mr C. Smith, seconded by Mr Clark, it was unanimously resolved to amend role 32, to provide for the opening of the reading room daily, Sundays, Christmas Days, and Good Fridays excepted, from 10a.m. till 10 p.m. The object of the amendment applied more directly to opening the room on holidays and closing it on Sundays. The annual meeting of members was afterwards held, there beiug a large attendance. Mr S. S. Powell, treasurer, read the statement of accounts, showing that .£l3B Hβ 6d had been received from all sources, and there was a balance in hand of .£34 4s Id after paying all accounts. The books were presented, duly audited by Mr B. Eevell and Mr W. Bourke.

On the motion of Mr Pinching, seconded by Mr Smith, the statement of accounts was adopted. The President referred to the success of last winter's entertainments, which had enabled the committee to purchase a large number of valuable books, and hoped the entertainments might be equally successful this year. He pointed out that as the receipts from subscriptions during each year barely paid the working expenses, it was very desirable that members should use their influence in persuading others to subscribe. With the assistance of the Government grant, it would be for the new committee to decide on the pnrchabe of more books, and this could be held out as an inducement to persons to take advantage of the library which the Institute was possessed of. Recently the librarian had made a thorough inspection, which resulted in his discovering that ninety-foar volumes were missing. He would be glad if any persons holding those books would kimdly return them, as two or three were of considerable value. It was exceedingly gratifying to him that during bis term of office the reading room had been opened free to the public. Further, that the committee could hand a handsome legacy to their enccessers, and also that he was able to record the fact that unity of action in the interests of the institution had characterised their proceedings at all meetings. In reply to "numerous requests that he would accept office again, he had to say, as he found the number of offices he held took up too much of his time, he had decided to retire, thanking all the members for the honor intended.

On the motion of Mr Pinching, seconded by Mr B. H. Matthews, Mr Caleb Smith was unanimously elected president. Mr Smith said he hoped the officers and committee would give him every assistance, and that he would be able to make as satisfactory a statement'of the Institute's affairs as that referred to by tbe late president. The other officers re-elected were, Mr S, S. Powell, treasurer and librarian, and Mr G. F. Hewlings, hon. secretary. Committee—Messrs A. Clark, B. H. Mathews, E. Eevell, W. Bourke, W. H. E. Pinching, J. H. Evans, S. Goldthorpe, W. Soulby, and O. Coup. On the motion of Mr Clark, seconded' by Mr Pinching, it was resolved—" That it be a recommendation to the committee to present the duplicate books to the Volnateer lire Brigade library, it being understood the Brigade library is for the benefit of brigade members only." Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee, it was decided to expend £25 in new books and rebinding somo of those in the library. A committee of the president, secretary, librarian, and Mr Eevell were appointed to select the works. The committee then adjonrned.