HUTT MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 12

HUTT MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting of residents of the Lower Hu t t was held on Tuesday night in the Mechanics Institute and Library, for the purpose of seeing if it was possible to revive the institution. There were a good number of the old subscribers present, and Mr. H. Damant was voted to the chair.

In addressing those present Mr Damant explained the object of the meeting, saying that the last time the subscribers met it was on the 26th November, 1889, and as only three persons put in an appearance it was decided to close the Library during the summer months, in the hopes that when the winter came round some persons would feel the want of it and ask that it should be again opened. Several persons lately had expressed a wish that the room should be again opened, and the present meeting had been called in consequence. No doubt Mr S. C. Barraud, the hon treasurer, would be able to inform them how the finances stood, and o£ the number of members on the books when the place was closed. The primary object of the meeting, however, was to consider whether the present building should be. again opened, or whether or not it would be advisable to start afresh in a new building. He.was aware there had been several complaints made by the reading public of the Hutt about the present structure —some thought it was not so centrally situated as it might be. This, however, was a matter for tho meeting to determine.

Mr S. C. Barraud, the treasurer, was sorry to say . that the finances were not in so flourishing a condition as be could have wished—the institute owed 3s 9d. As to the number of subscribers, when the place was shut they only had some 16 or 18. The institute was in such a bad state that it would bo impossible to expect any back subscriptions.

The Chairman said the fact of the matter was there had been no encouragement, and nothing had been done to improve matters for some years. .In 18S5 they could only manage to elect a committee between those who were in the habit of attending, and he was sorry to say at the committee meetings no one ever turned up but himself and Mr Barraud, and they had really run the show, so to sneak. Those of the reading public who did come asked for fresh books, but there was not the means to purchase any. They even had to discontinue many of the English papers because there was not enough money to pay the subscriptions. Mr Trevethick suggested the Committee might sell some of the old books and buy new ones from the proceeds. Mr Graham thought this would be a bad plan, as there were a number of valuable books which would go for a mere song if sold. Mr Barraud thought there could be no harm in keeping the books, and suggested that the better plan would be to appoint some person or persons to canvas the district for subscriptions.

Mr Damant thought perhaps there would be mors likelihood of the institute being a success if it were opened at the Oddfellows’ Hall. Be would not suggest such a course himself, but just explained he had heard the idea mooted. Mr Barraud would like to know what they could do with the present building, and pointed out that by shifting they would have a rent to pay. He had heard some persons complain that the present institute was not central enough, but could not see how matters were to be remedied just yet. Mr J. Hill thought there was a clause in the Act which stated that they would forfeit the present building if they left it, and asked for information on the subject. The Secretary explained that so long as they did not close it for over a twelvemonth they would not forfeit it-at least, that was his belief. . He had an idea that there was an Act of Parliament which enabled them—providing all the subscribers agreed—to incorporate themselves, and then he thought they could sell the property on the distinct undrstanding that the proceeds be devoted to increasing their library, Mr Barraud did not think those conditions could be carried out at present. Mr Damant said . that there was no doubt the property was given for a Mechanics’ Institute and Library. Mr Hill arid the place waa vested in trustees, and he believed that if it was closed for a certain time it would be forfeited. Mr Field thought it would be better to follow the suggestion of Mr Barraml, viz., that canvassers be appointed to go round the district and. report as to their prospect at a iuture. meeting, and also, to see how the trust was situated. Mr Field then moved that Messrs S. C. Barraud, E. V. Bristow, Samuel Smith, O. Trevethick, and H. Eglington be appointed a committee to assist to canvas the district for the purpose of ascertaining what nelp was likely to be given ; and that Messrs Barraud, Damant, and the mover be instruct ed in the meantime to ascertain how the trust is situated, and to report at another meeting. This resolution was carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned until Tuesday next, the 15th inst.