AUCKLAND MECHANICS INSTITUTE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1295, 10 February 1860, Page 1

AUCKLAND MECHANICS INSTITUTE.

The Annual General Meeting of the Auckland Mechanics' Institute was held in the Hall of the Institute on Tuesday Evening lust, the 7th inst. The attendance was not so large as might Lave been anticipated, and far from what we desired to see, but nevertheless it was composed of some of the wannest supporters of the Institute, and those who take a deep interest in its prosperity, and we will fain hope that their etertions will succeed in causing a greater interest to be manifested in the advancement of its moral and intellectual advantages. The President of the Institute, William Gisborne, Esq., took the chair shortly after 8 o'clock, p.m. After confirming the minutes of the last general meeting the President called upon Mr. Boyle, the Secretary, to read the following Report for the year 1859-60.

Annual Kepobt. In accordance with the rules of your Institute, your Committee havo much pleasure in placing before you their Annual Keport : they will follow the utual order of arrangement, and direct your attention to the following departments, viz. : —

NUHBIB OF MEMBERS. The number of members on the roll is 400 ; of these 329 pay at the rate of one pound per annum, and 71, including 14 ladies, pay ten shillings per annum. The number on the roll at the last annual meeting was 326, shewing an increase of 74 members. Considering the increase in our population it might have been expected that a much larger number would have joined the Institute, during the past year ; but this circumstance may be accounted for by the fact that a very large proportion of the immigrants leave the town soon after their arrival. Your Committee take this opportunity of reminding you that much .may be done by individual memberg using their influence to ' obtain fresh subi cribers to the Institute.

FINANCIAL KKFORT Of the Treasurer of the Auckland Mechanics' Institute '< "for the ye*r ending January, 1860.

The preient liabilities of the Institute amount to about £70.

LECTURES. List of Lectures delivered during the year : — June 7. By Mr. James McCabe. Subject : National Characteristics. " 14. " Mr.H.L.Bacot. Subject : Tennyson the Poet. ' " 24. " Dr. Hochstetter. Subject : Geology of the Province of Auckland. " 28. " The Key. G. 11. Johnstone. Subject • The Austrian Empire. July 13. " The Eev. J. F. Mandeno. Subject : Constantinople, Ancient and Modern. " 26. " The Eev. G. H. Johnstone. Subject : The Austrian Empire. Aug. 9. " Mr. John Varty. Subject : Humour and Ilinnouriits. " 28. " Tlie Eev. G. H. Johnstone. Subject : Germany and Hungary. Sep. 6. " The Rev. G. 11. Johnstons. Subject Italy and the Italian States. « 20. " The Rev. G. 11. Johnstone. Subject : Bohemia, Poland, and the Sclavonian Races. Oct. 4. " Mr. John, Varty. Subject: Dickens' Christmas Carol. " 10. " Mr. John Varty. Subject : Dickens' Christmas Carol. " 18. " Mr. Carleton. Subject : Popular Education. Nov. 1. " Mr. George Smallfield. Subject : Timon of Athens, and the Heir of Linne. " 29. " Mr. James McCabe. Subject Books. Dec. 13. " Mr. Thomas Outhwaite. Subject ■ Eeliques of Ancient English Poetry. Your Committee have tendered thanks to the gentlemen who have kindly delivered the Lectures enumerated above, but at the same time have to express their regret at the apathy shewn by the non-attendance of members ; which must be most discouraging to those who haw come forwaid to advance the interests of the Institute. The result of such apathy can but have the effect of preventing gentlemen from again tendering their services-

LIBRARY. 275 volumes have been added to the Library during the past ygar; 216 of these were purchased, and 23 presented by friends to the Institute. 36 volumes of periodicals have been bound, and put into circulation. The total number of volumes in the Library is 1886, which may be classified as follows • — Science and Art, 193; History and Travels, 252; Poetry, 69; Fiction and Goneral Literature, 1372. The greater number of books added to the Library during the past year aie standard works of a valuable class. The circulation has kept pace w ith the extension of the Library. The number of volumes circulated during 1859 is 8313, averaging 160 volumes weekly. The average number of readers may be estimated at 350 1 or I of the whole number of subscribers. From the number and class of books read, it is demonstrated, that the Library department ia highly appreciated. Although it is admitted that a large proportion of the works read belong to the class of Fiction, still there seems to be a growing wish for works of a more substantial character, especially those in which instruction is blended with amusement "While awarding to every department its just value, your Committee deem that of the " Library" the chief element of vitality; and in proportion to its efficiency in meeting the literary wants of an intelligent community, will be the general prosperity of the Institute.

READING ROOM. The reading room has been well attended by subscribers ; and a considerable number of new arrivals have availed themselves of the use of the reading room. The daily attendance will average about 50. The following newspapers as they arrive by each mail are placed on the reading room table for perusal, viz. "The London Times," "Illustrated News," "The Economist," "Home News," "Leeds Mercury," "Scotsman," "The London Weekly Despatch," "The British Ensign," " The Dublin Warder." "The Sydney Morning Herald." "Sydney Empire," 'Melbourne Argus," "Adelaide Obseiver," "Moietou Bay Courier," " Hobart Town Daily Mercury," "The Wellington Independent," "New Zealand Spectator," "Hawke's Bay Herald," "Nelson Examiner," "Taranaki Herald," "Lyttleton Times," "Otago Witnesi," "The New Zealander," "Southern Cross," "Auckland Examiner," " Auckland Begister," and " Auckland Telegraph." Also the following Periodicals •— " The Edinburgh" and "Quarterly Reviews," "Blackwood's," and the " Dublin University Magazines," "The Art Journal," "The Builder," "Athenaeum," " Practical Mechanics' Journal," " Nautical Magazine," " Dietrichsen and Hannay's Almanack, ' " The Journal of the Society of Arts," (furnished by His Excellency tho Governor ) "All the year round," "Chamber's Journal," "Leisure Hour," " Family Herald," " Family Friend," " Punch," "The Virginians." The following works among the newly purchased volumet, have been placed in the reading room with former books of reference for inspection • — Loudon's Encyclopedia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture ; Ciesy's Encyclopedia of Civil Engineering ; and Dr. Ures 1 Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines. The " New Zealander" and " Southern Cross" newspapers, and the " New Zealand Government" and '• Provincial Gazettes' 1 " have been bound as works of reference. * The following additions ordered by your Committee during last year have arrived, viz. • — Duplicates of Blackwood's Magazine ; Dublin University Magazine ; Chamber's Journal, and All the ' Year Kound. Also the Saturday Review, North British and North American Keviews, Frasers Magazine ; and the " San Fiancisco Herald " Your Committee hnve also ordered the " New York Herald," and the United Service Magazine, which may be expected in due co urse.

FESTIVAL. A Festival was heM on the 2ith of May, in honor of the Queen's birth day . The results were most satisfactory. The Bum of .£3O being added to the funds.

The following valuab'e contributions were presented to the Institute during" the course of the year, for which your Committee in tho name of the members', conveyed thanks to the kind donors :—: —

Ist, books, By Mr. Charles Sanderson, "Tho Young Millwright aud Millers Guide" ; Captain Rough, " Narrative of a Journey through the North of New Zealand"; Mr. E. P. Streeter, "The Barber," "Widow Barnaby," " Polham," and " Godolphin," 4 volumes ; Mr. Charles Heaphy, "A Sketch of the Origin and Progress of Steam Navigation" ; The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, " Observation!! oa the state of the Aboriginal inhabitants of New Zealand, and a copy of Statiitiea of New Zealand for 1858"; Mr. J. Young, "British Manufactures." 8 vols. ; Mr. G. P. Peirce, " Schiller's Works," (in German) 3 vols. ; Mr. E. J. Cox, "Benjamin Disraeli, M.P.," "Sunny Memories of Foreign Landi," and "Tom Burke," in all i vols. ; Mr. Thoimai Scott, " Eitchie's Game of Life," 2 vols. ; William Swainson, Esq.) "New Zealand and its ColonlzatSan" ; Mr. E. E. Torrens, "Kegiitration of Titles"; A Friend, "The Hand Book of Australia," "Oar National Vice," "The Book and its Story," "Fathers and Founders of the London Missionary Society," and "The. Young Man'» Guide through Life," 5 vols. ; Mr. Alfred Street, 5 Nos. of " The New Zealand aud Australian Gazette," and 5 Nos. of ihe " Ilhutrated Times" for 1858 ; Mr. Q.E. Lawrence, "Lawrences Alma naok" for 1860 ; Mr. G. Chapman, "New Zealand Almanatk" for 1860. i 2nd, photographic apparatus. By T. W.,Ev»m, Esq., M.l*., through Wm. Gilborne, Eiq., a valuable Photoj jraphio Apparatus.

Dbd, chemical apparatus. By Wm. Giiborne, Ejq ,' " A Set of Griffin's Chemical Apparatus," with re-agents, forming a mo»t Complete valuable laboratory ; which will be invaluable to » chemical lecturer.

Your Committee having had one or two application! for Branch Libraries for the country, offered liberal terms to the inhabitants of any district who are in a position to guarantee tho proper care, custody, and return of the books. But as yet the offer ha» not been accepted. Your Committee greatly regret that during the pa»t year they have been unable to form any classes, not from any want of desire on the part of the Committee to advance the interests of the subscribers, but entirely on account of the apathy of the members of the Institute. Your Committee have made arrangements for planting blue gum trees around the Institute. In concluding their report, your Committee have but one regret, that is, that they are unable to clear off the whole of the liabilities of the Institute. But when it is taken into consideration that during this year, unlike the previous one, no grant has been obtained from the Provincial Government, and that a large and valuable addition has been made to the library ; besides considerable additions, in minor matters, tending to the comfort and convenience of the members, they feel that he small sum at present due by the Insti tute, will convince you that strenuous efforts have been made to advance the interests of the Institute in as economical a manner as possible In rendering up their office the retiring Committee feel assured that under the active management of those you may appoint, this Institute will continue to hold the high position it now occupies. James Boyle, Secretary.

The several office-bearers of the Institute, together with a, Committee of Management, were then elected to serve during the ensuing year, of which the following is a list . — [Patron — His Excellency the Governor.] President — Mr. Wm. Gisborne. Vice Presidents— Mr. Charles Heaphy, Mr. W. E»ttr»y. Treasurer — Mr. J. C. McDowell. Secretary— Mr. James Boyle. Committee of Management — Messrs. E. J. Cox, S. J. Edmonds, J. C Firth, P. A. Phillips, James Smart, John Kattray ; Dr. Fischer; Messrs. A. A. Melvin, John Mathe»on, John Batger, James George, Charles Sanderson, J. F. Leighton, J. W. Carr, Edward Wayte. Auditors— Messrs. Arch. Clark, W. C. Daldy, B. Eidings. 0

31st January, 1860. . Dr. ',-'•, £ a. d. ,To Subscription* for year 304 17 0 ",'Kent from Hire of Hall 62 18 0 , " Proceeds of Lectures ' 18 15 0 , ," Proceedi Fete on H.M'». birthday, 80 0 0 " Candle* 13 9 " Balance from last year 2 12 0 £420 0 9 Ist February .—To balance in Trea«* i'" '''* , surer* hand* „. , £3 i 6

at January, 1860. Cr. £ 6. d. By paid for New»p»per§, Printing, and and Advertising 42 18 8 " paid for Boohs 66 10 0 " paid for Stationery & Bookbinding 2t 13 11 " paid for oil »nd Candles 45 88 " paid for Repairs & Improvements, 40 15 0 " paid Cleaning account, &c, 35 16 10 " paid Insurance 11 6 0 " paid for Firewood ' 1111 0 " Teacher of Maori (Mr. Baker) .... 5 0 0 " Mr. Boyle's Salary 125 0 0 " Sundries 4 17 2 " Balance to next year 3 4 6