HAWKE'S BAY HERALD SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1862. THE NAPIER ATHENÆUM AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 334, 15 November 1862, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY HERALD SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1862. THE NAPIER ATHENÆUM AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

We observe with regret the almost universal apathy which appears to prevail in Napier with reference to the projected Athenaeum; still more do we regret that other causes, into which -we will not minutely enter, have exerci sed, and still ex-

ercise, so prejudicial an influence upon its fortunes. The result of the meeting on Friday last almost caused us to despair for the success of the embryo Institute, but we will not abandon the cause without an effort — without one urgent appeal to the common sense of our Napier community not to allow any petty and contemptible considerations to deprive them of a benefit that is much required. We have heard it said that it is premature .to attempt to establish a Mechanics' Institute in Napier, and that it would not receive an amount of support sufficient to mainr tain it in a state of vitality ; but this we cannot admit, although we do believe that its success would depend in a great measure on the activity and zeal of those who might be entrusted with the management. We further admit that the Institute must ! for some time confine its operations principally, if not entirely, to providing a reading room, furnished with newspapers, periodicals, and such books as the funds | "may admit of; for we do not. suppose that in this busy community many lecturers will be found — men with time and talents to devote gratuitously to the public ; nor do we suppose that classes could readily be formed under competent instructors ; for in much larger communities we have witnessed the difficulty of maintaining these in an efficient state. But if our Athenaeum aspired for the present no higher than to the establishment of a reading club, provided with a suitable apartment where the members, at a small expense individually, could, by combining together, obtain access to publications otherwise unattainable to them, a benefit would be conferred not only on the residents in Napier, but also upon the country settlers, many of whom are frequent visitors, and amongst whom it is common to hear complaints of the dulness of the town, and the want of any amusement or occupation for the evenings, which are of necessity passed in general at the hotels or public-houses. To say that such a Society cannot be supported on the limited scale we have indicated, is to imply that some apple of discord exists which is a bar to any unity of action, for if the settlers in town and country would contribute but a very moderate annual subscription, the cost would be easily met. One hundred pounds per annum (the building being provided) would suffice to make a commencement, and under active management we cannot suppose there would be any great difficulty in raising that sum. The principal items of expense are the attendance of a librarian (who must be present each evening the building is open to the members), fuel, lights, newspapers, periodicals, and books. These expenses must of course be regulated in a great measure by the amount of pecuniary support accorded to the Institution. Having made these preliminary remarks, we may now proceed to consider what is best to be done in the present state of affairs — the aspect of which certainly did not seem very bright at the close of the meeting on Friday night. We will not enter upon the vexed question of the site, upon which so great a difference of opinion has existed. Long since a public meeting of subscribers decided in favour of Clive Square, where a reserve had been awarded by a former Superintendent for this purpose. Since then the Provincial Council has declared Clive Square to be the site upon which the £200 (now handed back to the Superintendent) is to be expended, and we therefore see no alternative but to bow to the decision thus doubly expressed. Perhaps the improvements in Tennyson and Emerson streets, now in progress, may modify the objections raised against this locality. It appears that there is a sum of £87 or thereabouts in the hands of the Treasurer which is not to be handed over to the Government, and which in fact no one seems at present authorized to dispose of. We can suggest no better plan in reference to this than that indicated by Mr. Colenso at the meeting, viz., for the donors themselves to meet and decide upon the application of this fund. The Superintendent is now charged with the erection of a building to the extent of the £200 voted by the Council. Would it not therefore be better either to entrust the further sum to Hia Honor for the extension of the Government design, ,or else to. name two or three persons to. co-operate with him in carrying out their joint purpose ? We do not see why the members of the Executive might not be deputed by the subscribers to act as a building committee ; while at the same time a committee of management

could be formed to carry out the objects of the Institute, and take the management of the building when erected ; for although the Provincial authorities may put up a building, it cannot be expected, nor would it be desirable, that they should extend their operations beyond that point.