DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM

Evening Star, Issue 24116, 10 February 1942, Page 2

DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM

ANNUAL MEETING There was a fair attendance last evening at the 'annual general meeting of the Dunedin Athenseum and Mechanics’ Institute, the vice-president (Mr A. C. Stephens) presiding. Briefly moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, Mr Stephens said it was gratifying to know that, in spite of the exigencies of war and competition, the Athenaeum was still prospering, the net result of the year’s working being a gain of £lO6 17s 7d. Mr Stephens paid a tribute to the memory of the late Mr W. L. Tennet, whose death occurred during the year. Mr Tennet was one of the very early members, having enjoyed continuous membership with the Athenaeum for over 70 years. The report, which was adopted, stated that the accessions during the year numbered 1,768 works, of which 1,331 were works of fiction, 358 works in other departments of literature, and 79 volumes of juvenile fiction. The library now contained 51,379 works, represented by 55,097 volumes, these figures allowing for the withdrawal of 972 volumes. Of these some 200 wore sold to members . and country libraries, and the balance, together with a number* of periodicals, were sent to military camps in response to the appeal made for reading matter for the soldiers. The total number of issues of books from the library during the year amounted to 241,393. During the year war conditions again adversely affected the supplies of books. Three shipments in all were lost as a result of enemy action. Some of the volumes had been replaced, but a number of the newer publications were now out of print. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, the Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) ; vice-president, Mr C. W. Hannah; treasurer, Mr W. Lang; committee —Messrs A. C. Stephens, A. G. Melville, J. M. Paterson, J. L. Salmond, A. Watt, W. F. Watters, Drs J. Dickie, J. R. Elder, and C. E. W. Lyth; auditor, Mr G. W. Canter; librarian, Mr A. C. Galloway.