HASTINGS ATHENEUM.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7527, 30 August 1886, Page 3

HASTINGS ATHENEUM.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) A general meeting of the members of the above institution was held on Friday, the president, Captain Russell, M.H.R., in the chair. ' .The following report was read and adopted :— ' . Tlio committee congratulate the subscribers on tho financial stato of the institution, an increasing übo of which your committoo lmvo much ploasuro in reporting. Tho income has been materially augmented by tho proceads of two concerts, held on tho 20th August, 1885, and 21th August, 1886, tho first producing fil3lßsoa in profits, and tholattor £51s6d; also, by voluntary contributions to a fund headed by a gift of £10 from Captain Russell, which reached tho sum of £32. Tho commlttqo, as representing tho members of tho Tastings Athontoum. doslro to plage on record their expression of obligation to Captain Rugsoil and to those who assiated so make up tho sum necessary to ensure the gift. Since tho ast annual mooting twoparcolg of bookshavo beeii added to tho llbrary-^ono of the valuo of £8, purchased under tho supervision of Messrs Vickerman and Rainbow, and tho other purchased from Messrs Klrkland, Cope and Co., London, to tho bxtentof £21. Tho sumo gontlomen arranged tho list. Tho firm of Kirkland Copo and Co', allowed a discount of £21 12s on tho cash payment,' and tho sum has been placed to tho credit of tho Athonroum. A further supply of books is on order, tho sum of £50 having boon forwarded to Messrs Whitoly, Westbourno Grovo, London, with instructions to purchase books to that vnluo in nccordanco with a oataloguo proparod by Messrs Maokllligln, Vlokerman, and Rainbow. Thoso books should bo out in a short timo. In increasing ho number of books tho committoo lmvo mado it tholr business that nil classos of Utorc.turo should bo represented. Cansoquontly the reader -will find on tho shelves a varlod assortment of works, comprising toohnical, scientific, philosophical, theological, and biographical works; also, a largo proportion of works of fiction and poetry, Including complbto sots of tho productions •of standard authors. Sinco November last tho sittings of tho R.M. Court have boon hold in the reading-room, and on tho representation of Captain Russoll tho Government has granted thosuniof £10 as » gratuity to tho caro-tokor for arrangiuef tho room for, and cleaning after,- oach sitting of tho Court, thoroby exonerating thocommifteo from all oxponso. Tho number of subscribers ontorod on tho books during tho term was 108. Tho numbor of books at present catalogued is 962 against 730 last year. Tho committoo regret that owing to change of residence tho institution ias beon deprived of tho valuablo services of Mr Itoynolas as vice-presidont. The report was adopted. After tho reading of the report, Messrs J. A. (Smith and J), M'lieod wore elocted auditors, and tho accounts were forthwith audited, read, and adopted. Tho hon. sec. also read a statement showing the assets of tho Athenteuin. ' Tho Chairman said that from this statement is would bo seen that tho financial position of the Athemcum was a sound ono, its property amounting to £1000, this being in a groat measure duo to Mr Boyle's generosity in granting the site. He- • (tho_ chairman) had ' much' pleasure in placing on" record tho obligations of the Athenienm to Mr Johnson, who might be said to have originated it, and to whose exertions its prosperity was so largely owing, fle moved a very cordial voteof thanks to Mr Johnson for his services as lion. sec. and treasurer to the institution during the two ami a half yean* of its existence, and congratulated tile members on having secured" Mr J. A. Smith as Mr Johnson's successor. The motion was seconded by Mr Kelly and carried. > : - U was then proposed by Captain Russell, seconded by .Mr -Johnson, anil carried, ',' TJiap M^tfmltll be/ rqquasted fa'ao^as hon. sec. 'am} tr'pa^urei: 1 for,' the' solving year.! Mr Johnson, in returning thanks for the voto passed, referred in graceful terms to the qualifications of Mr Smith .for tho oflice which the speaker's engagmonts necessitated his resigning.

' "Captain Russell was elected president, ■ Mr R. Wellwood vice-president; Mr J; A, , Smith hon. sec. and treasurer, and Messrs D. M'Leod, Rainbow, Mackilligin, Kelly, Vickermau, Neale, and Johnson as committee. Moved by Mr Rainbow, and seconded by Mr Johnson, "That an illuminated address be presented to Mr J. Boyle ' creating him a life member of the Hastings Athennjum." — Carried Moved by Captain Russell, and seconded by Mr Vic'kerman, " That Messrs Rainbow and Johnson be appointed to carry the provisions of the above resolution into effect."— Carried. Moved by Captain Russell, and seconded by Mr Mackilligin, " That it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to acquire a complete edition- of Badgers's Statutes of New Zealand, and place them in the library forthwith."— Carried. Captain Russell stated that he believed that the publishers presented those statutes to athenceums free of "charge. As on two previous occasions, the president offered to subsidise a subscription amounting to £30 by a gift of £10 for the purchase of boqks.— Accopted with' thanks. ' ■' ', Moved by Mr' M'Leod, and seconded by Mr Mackilligin, " That the proprietors of newspapers who supply free, copies to the Athenaeum should receive letters convoying the thanks of the Athenoeum committee."—Carried. Votes of thanks to the outgoing committee and to the chairman closed the meeting.