AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5395, 3 March 1879, Page 6

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

The annual general meeting of subscribers was held on Feb. 17, in the Institute and Museum Building. On the motion of Mr. Thos. Macffarlane, Mr. Barstow, in the absence of the chairman iMr„ T. Heale), was called to the chair. The Secretary (Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S.) read the minutes of the last annual general meeting, which were confirmed; also the report of the Council for the past year, as follows : — The Council of the Auckland Institute, in ! presenting their report for the past year, have again to congratulate the members on the steady progress made by the society, and in the increasing interest manifested by the public in its operations. Twenty-five new meiubors have been elected during the year. The Council regret to have to record the death of five members. There have also been a few withdrawals, principally caused by removals to other parts of the colony. The total number on the register is now 2SI. Six meetings have been held during the winter session. The attendance on the whole was satisfactory, although there is room for improvement in this direction. It is satisfactory to bo able to state that the additions and donations to the Museum have been far greater than in any previous year. The council have especial pleasure in drawing attention to the truly magnificent donation 3 made by Mr. T. Kussell, C.M.G., of a series of 1 full-size plaster-casts from the most celebrated statues of antiquity. The importance of this gift can hardly be over-estimated ; not only ia r it valuable from the beauty of the figures them--5 selves* but more especially from affording to 2 art-students an opportunity—hitherto entirely wanting—of studying and working from accu V rate copies of the unequalled productions of , ancient Greece and Rome. The number of fullsized figures is 22, of busts 11. In addition to these, Mr. Kussell has forwarded terra-cotta A busts of the Prince and Princess of "Wales, j modelled by the well-known sculptor. Count Gleichen. Mr. Russell's communications were, in the first instance, made through Dr. Camp--1 bell. This gentleman, well aware that tli funds afc the disposal of the Institute are little - more than sufficient to meet current expendie ture, mo3t kindly offered to defray all expenses connected with the preparation of the pedestals e and the unpacking of the casts and their erec- \ tion in the Museum. Thanks to thi3 timely and welcome liberality, the whole consignment ' has been placed in the Museum without any exj pense to the Institute. It also occurred to Dr. Campbell that the a advent of Mr. Russell's presentation might very well be taken advantage of to establish u school of design. He, therefore, addressed the Council on the subject, offering, on his part, to provide a competent instructor, and to bear all the expenses of the school, if the Institute e would grant tho use of their lecture-room foi e the purpose. This proposal was accepted bj I the Council, and the school has now been ii: ' operation for some time. From 20 to 3( students have been in attendance, and the re P suits promise to be in every way satisfactory, y The CiiAiiiMAN thought the meeting oughl d not to pass over in silence tho extremely satisfactory character of the report. Tht , liberality of friends had never been mor( manifiest than during the past year. Had il )f not been for the munificence and liberality of friends, from the foundation of th< • e Institute, the exhibits would have beet jfc stowed away in boxes, many of then of no use to anyone, and becom Le ing possibly deteriorated. The Insti r _ tute would have been in the position o d occupying a house too small for its use, anc ~ that house not at all calculated to withstanc j the changes of weather. He could not helj r - noticing how badly represented in th< Museum were Maori implements, and Maor a articles of apparel or workmanship. . H< a believed tho Council was owner of only on< y Maori mat of the many varieties that wen q. known to exist. He thought that somi >d effort should be made to have the Maor -jf usages better represented by such exhibits » He thought that no member of the Institut would to recognise it 3 indebtedness t< ,y Dr. Campbell, to Mr. T. Russell, and alsi l( j to the " unknown friend " who had pre ■rtj sented the Museum with the new show cases. (Applause.) y On the motion of the Chairman, ae sh conded by Colonel Haultain, the repor ie was adopted nem, con.

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT. Dr. Purchas was elected President of the Institute for the ensuing year. council. , 5r The following gentlemen were elected the Council of tho Instituto for the ensu- se ine year :—Mr. Justice Gillies, Dr. Campbell, Colonel Haultain, Rev. Mr. Bates, al Messrs.J. C. Firth, F. Whitaker, T. Heale, rc J. Stewart, T. F. S. Tinne, G. M. Mitford, o and R. C. Barstow. 11 auditor. n Mr. Thoma9 Macffarlane was elected (' auditor. 0 HONORARY OTVICF.S. v Mr. Graves Aickin moved, " That the a Council bo requested to take such Bteps as ? may be necessary to suitably recogniso the j ! services of those gentlemen who have K beneficed the Institute." * Mr. Esvisgton Seconded the motion, n which was carried unanimously. £