MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1130, 9 September 1863, Page 3

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

A special general meeting of the members of this association was held according to notice, on Friday, the 4th instant, in the reading-room of the new buildings lately erected by the society in Hereford street, for the purpose of considering a general statement of the affairs of the Institute, and of submitting a scheme for the extension of the list of shareholders.

Mr. Olliviek took the chair at about 7.30 p.m., and said that before the business which called them together was brought forward, he would take the opportunity of congratulating the members on at length possessing a building suitable for their purposes. It was now about four years since they began to experience difficulties in meeting the growing requirements of the Institution, and latterly they had been struggling on in a very uncomfortable manner. When it was determined to proceed with the erection of a new building the managing committee obtained power to raise money by an extension of the share list. At that time they thought they had a right to a certain site, but it was afterwards taken from them by the Provincial Government, who, in lieu thereof had voted a sum of £250 in compensation, which he must say was considered a just estimate of the property taken from them. When the committee of management considered themselves justified by the success of the extension of the share list, they had accepted the plan of Mr. Farr for the erection of their building—the one in which they were now for the first time assembled. The first estimate of cost of erection was £1200, but various additions and improvements were thought advisable, and they had accordingly been made. These alterations swelled the sum to over £1500. To meet this extra expense, they had applied to the Trust and Agency Society for a loan, secured by mortgage on the buildings. The reply was that though their title was unimpeachable—there was not the slightest doubt about that—yet by a defect in the deed of incorporation, they were for ever prevented from obtaining money by loan on the security of their property. When this was clearly ascertained, the committee of management found that they had the option of letting things remain as they were till the next annual meeting—a course which involved very serious objections—or of convening a special meeting at once, to decide upon measures calculated to meet the difficulty immediately. They had adopted the latter course, and were determined to put their shoulders to the wheel, and calling upon every one interested in the matter to do likewise, would strenuously exert themselves to pay off this debt without delay. He then read the following statement: — The original contract for the £ s. d. building 1169 0 0 Extras connected therewith ... 77 0 0 Additional contract for outhouses and fittings 282 0 0 Levelling site 34 0 0 1562 O O Paid on account 994 0 0 Still owing 568 0 0 To which must be added architect'* commission 80 O 0 Due to treasurer 85 0 0 Making total to be paid... £733 0 0 To meet this sum it was proposed to canvass the city and neighbourhood for an extension of the shareholders' list, and also to endeavor to increase the number of members. He was hopeful that these measures would be successful; but in the event of failure, as a last resort, an appeal might be made to the Government for a loan; and he thought, when the peculiar circumstances in which they were placed were fully explained, the Government would have no hesitation in advancing them a sum of money for a term of years. He was happy to say that an appeal

lately made to the Government by himself and his coadjutor, Mr. Hawkes, had been met in a most liberal spirit, and they hoped to obtain a further grant in aid of at least £200 or £250. This, of course would not go towards liquidating the claim on the buildings, but would be expended on the purchase of fittings, books, &c. The Ven. Archdeacon Mathias thought all present would agree with him that they had great reason to be proud of the creditable manner in which their wishes had been carried out. The existence of such a building in so young a colony was evidence enough that Canterbury was not behind in the march of progress. It appeared that they were now, owing to an unfortunate misconception, in danger of being seriously embarrassed: in short, not to mince matters, they were in debt and their credit exhausted; and the object of this meeting was to extricate themselves from the very unpleasant position into which they had been unwittingly led. He had not the slightest doubt that the measures to be proposed would be found amply sufficient for the purpose. He believed that the sympathy of the people of Christchurch with this institution was such that they would liberally respond to the appeal about _to be made to them. He had great pleasure in moving:— '• That this meeting approves of the efforts that have been made by the managing committee, for their great and anxious labors in conducting so far to a happy consummation of their wishes, viz., the permanent establishment of a Christchurch Mechanics' Institute."

The motion being briefly seconded by Mr. Pavitt, was carried unanimously. In moving the second resolution, Mr. Brookes said, that he believed the appeal to the public would be met in a very gratifying manner. To state his own experience, out of twenty-five people whom he had asked, twenty-two expressed their willingness to assist them. He then read the resolution:— " That this meeting considers it desirable that the share list be enlarged by the issue of an additional number of shares bearing interest at 8 per cent. That efforts be made to increase the number of members to the Institute, and that another appeal be respectfully made to the Provincial Government for a little further help in the emergency." Seconded by Mr. Denhajh, and carried unanimously. With a few appropriate remarks from the mover, the following resolutions were also carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Worth, seconded by Mr. Daymond, " That with a view of carrying out the previous resolution, a committee consisting of sixteen members of the institute be appointed to canvas the city, and another committee consisting of eight members be appointed to canvas the neighbourhood." Moved by Mr. Clepiiane, seconded by Mr. Chisnall —" That the city be divided into eight sections, and the following gentlemen be appointed the City Canvassing Committee, two for each section, to be mutually arranged among themselves, viz.: Mr. Cuff, senr.; T. B. Craig, J. Daymond, John Johnstone, C. W. Bishop, F. W. Shackleton, R. Clephane, D. Scott, James Johnston, J. Baker, J. C. Brooke, C. O. Torlesse, — Morton, John Anderson, C. F. Worth, J. Foley." Moved by C. W, Bishop, seconded by Mr. Foley —" That the following eight gentlemen be appointed to canvass the neighbourhood of Christchurch to carry into effect the second resolution: The Rev. : Archdeacon Mathias, J. W. Smith, Raymond.Browne, ' E. B. Bishop, Josh. Painter, C. W. Bishop, the j Hon.ll. J. Tancred, the Rev. Mr. Buller. . j Moved by Mr. E. B. Bishop, seconded by Mr. i Hawkes—" That the two canvassing committees be empowered to give receipts according to a printed form provided, and instruct the clerk of the institute to furnish scrip to whoever may have purchased the ' new shares; and that the canvassing committees hand in to the managing committee their respective; reports of the result of their labours by the first - Wednesday in October next; to be laid before a' meeting on Friday 9th of October next to which j day this meeting at its rising do adjourn." J £ A vote of thanks, to the Chairman terminated th&*> (proceedings, after which the meeting separated about • ! nine o'clock.

The room in which the meeting was held is 40 feet long, 18 feet broad, and about 23 feet high. .The arrangements for ventilation are excellent; and when finished and fitted up, the Christchurch Mechanics' Institute will possess the finest public reading room, without exception, in New Zealand.