MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2521, 23 February 1872, Page 3

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting of members was held last evening, iu the hall of the Institute, to roceive tho report of the committee, and to elect officers for the ensuing year. Mr. Whitaker, President of the Institute, occupied the chair. Tlio Secretary read tho minutes which were confirmed. Also the balanc--sheet (which it was resolved to read first), aidth ) report of the committee. BALANCE SHEET. Assets.—Balance last year, £5 10s 4d ; subscriptions, £172 19s Gd ; hall charges, £'30 7s ; waste paper, £4 ISs 5d ; catalogues, £1 2s ; books condemned and sold, £3 12s 9d; fines for detention of books, £1 lis 3d. Total, Is 3d. ExrENiiiTUKK. — Newspapers, magazines, £10 Gs 7d ; secretary, £37 ; incidental, £3 18s 5d j gas, £2S 5s ; firewood, &c., £9 9s 6d ; bookbinding, £11 4s 3d ; insurance, £10 10s; majj of New Zealand, £1 15s; mounting maps, £1 4s; printing, &c., £14 las ; painting, £1 13s j carpenters, £6 9s ; registration of building, £1 Is ; Fauider's account, .£1 10s; law expenses, £1 Os Gd. Total, £220 Is 3d. The report wa3 in effect that there was a deficiency as compared with the former year of £49 ISs 8:1. This deficiency arose in loss of

receipts for hall of £22 4s. There were no special entertainments this year, which produced £21 ISs Llie former year, ana no donations from frieuds, which the former year amounted to i'G 15s. At tho same time, the subscriptions for the year exceed those of the former year by £9 lis (id, although the number of subscribers were less by eight. This showed that the number of full subscriptions had increased. The liabilities on the 31st of January amounted to £S3 9s sd, showing an increase of liabilities over lust year of £4°l3s lid. The number of members (subscribers) last year was 423. The number this vear is 415.

Mr. Reed asked what waß meant by " members."

The CnAiRiiAX said there was a distinction between " full members"nnd " members the full members were those who paid tho full subscription of iil, and " members,"as used in the report, appeared to be those who paid 10s to the library or reading-room. Sir. Sjevwuiout moved the words " aud subscribers" be added in the report after members. The motion was not seconded, and lapsed. Mr. Field moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. Mr. Heed wished to be informed where in the rules the distinction was drawn between " members." The Chairman eaid tiie tenth rule more specifically alluded to " members duly qualified." Mr. Reed moved, " That the report be amended by the insertion of the following words : —' That the number of subscribers oil the roll at the present, time is 423, namely, seventy-eight at £1, twenty at 12s, and the remainder at 10s. per anuum.' Omitting the paragraph relating to the number of ' members.' "

A member inquired whether subscribers of 10s. were entitled to tako part in the proceedings ?

The Chairman' said the rules recognised no members at a payment of 10 s. The only members v ere those who paid £1 a year. But tho committee on a former year recommended the receiving a smaller amount of subscription, and " subscribers" were allowed the use of the library or the reading-room upon payment of a subscription of 10s. u-year. ll'e (the Chairman) would ask the Secretary to read the resolution of the special general meeting of members of tile Institute where that was done.

Air. GAIiSOX asked the Chairman who were entitled to tnke part in the proceedings ? The Chairman read the rule governing the proceedings of general meetings. Mr. I£j)WA7tD3 hoped the movers would adopt the amendment.

Mr. Field had no objection, as it apDeared to give more information to the public." The words suggested as an amendment were added to the i\ ,i.jrt.

The fiXAiRMAN ruled that only those who paid their £1 per annum were' entitled to vote.

Mr. Reed asked to see the list of members entitled to vole, which was handed to him. He said there were several names of members not there.

Mr. Field thought Mr. Reed should stato the names omitted. He charged Mr. Reed with having attacked the honor and honesty of the committee in this particular. Mr. lIoorEK : I will save Mr. Eeed the trouble. My names is not there.

Mr. Reed : My name is not there. We are lold there are 78 members. There are only 75 here.

Tho Chairman* : The list of names is not of an official character —only drawn up for guidance. It can therefore be amended. With respce to the conduct of the meeting, I will hear everyono who stands up to speak, unless objected to. If objected to, the objection shad be heard.

Mr. Moss asked to speak to tho condition of tho Institute. 1o his mind it must excite considerable dissatisfaction. Tho committee appeared to be altogether above the subscribers. He did not know any similar institute of which the books were in worse order. The committee sat inside the counter, while the subscribers stood outside. He believed this caused a good deal of ill feeling. Ho believed the management was too exclusive. There needed some radical reform to arouse an interest in the Institute.

Mr. SwANaojf said there was only the library where the committee could meet to do busiuess. What grievance was that ? What would be the state of affairs if twenty or thirlv people were going round taking books ofT tho shelves to do as they liked. It was said that tho bookß were in bad order. Would their condition bo improved if every man in that hall might take them out and do as he pleased with them ?

Mr. Swansok gave an outline of the history of the Institute. It was made what it was by men who worked, who consulted what was wanted, and did it. It was not by merely making speeches that any good was done.

Mr. Si evWright said his experience was different from that of Mr. Moss. Ho know of no similar Institute whero members were admitted to tho indiscriminate handling of the books.

Mr. Reed described the facilities afforded by the public library in Melbourne, whero everyone could handle the books. There had been only three volumes missing in several years. Mr. W. G. Harrison thought there was something radically wrong in tile state of the Institute. People lost interest in it. The large meeting present was a protest against its present condition. It was the business of the meeting to find out the defect and repair it. He thought that every subscriber should be allowed to vote that night. There would then be an active managemeut. The man who paid ten shillings was at least entitled to ten shillings worth of representation. The Chairman explained that his duty was to see the rules carried out. The rules were specific, and framed for a particular purpose. Nobody could over-ride them. If they were not to follow them, they might as well burn them and make their rules from day to day Mr. Dosaid heard a groat deal of talk but very little work. He would oppose die-

turbing the rules. It appeared to him there were certain persons who wanted to prevent business being done. The report as amended was adopted. Mr. Buown moved tho adjournment of the meeting for a month. Air. Moss seconded the motion. The Chairman said the rules provided that the election must be in February. It was a question whether any election after February would not ba invalid. It might be a question for the Supreme Court as to what was the position of the Institute. He supposed the object was not to get the Institute into a difficulty. Mr. Macpiieuson pointed out that by rale three, members must ho of three months' standing before they could vote. Mr. Keed thought the rulos obstructed reform in every way. An adjourned meeting was the same meeting. lie thought that no difficulty would arise, and time would be given to renovate the Institute. (Hear.) Mr. Edwards would support the adjournment, if those gentlemen who promoted the motion hud themselves shown a disposition to serve the lustitute. (Hear.) Mr. T. L. White rose to speak, but it was ruled that, not being a full member, he could not speak. Mr. White paid the full subscription, and it was decided he could speak. A Mr. Smith protested. A scene of noise and disorder here occurred, which lasted until the Cuairman threatened to leave the chair if he were not obeyed. Mr. White addressed the meeting in support of the adjournment. A great number of speeches wore made, and a determination appeared to have been formed cither to force or to prevent the adjournment.

Mr. Thomas Macffaulane suggested that the necessary number of mimes of com. mitteo or full members be taken to call a special general meeting, for tile purpose of altering the rules.

This suggestion was agreed to, and tho motion for the adjournment was withdrawn.

The following gentlemen were elected ofliecrs : Vresident,: Dr. J. ]R. Nicholson j Yi ua Presidents : Mr. P.A.Philips (Mayor), Mr. James George; Treasurer, Mr. Korlcrick McCay. Committee : Messrs. J. Brown, F. J. Farrell, J. H. Jagger, T. L. White, J. W. Cawkwell, O. H. Mcintosh, J. Sievwright, R. Cr.Hiwell, J. Diddams, J. IT. Burns, W. Wltvte, J. Wilcox. Mr. G. W. Hahiusox handed in a writtou pi'otest against the scrutiny. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman by acclamation, and the meeting adjourned at a quarter past 12 o'clock.