MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 445, 7 November 1849, Page 2

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

A general meeting 1 of the members of the Wellington Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute was held on the evening of Monday the 6th instant, to elect officers for the ensuing half year. Wm, Lyon, Esq., in the chair. The following report of the Committee was read and adopted :—: — " The committee of the Wellington Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute in surrendering their office to their constituents take the opportunity briefly to refer to the several matters which hare specially engaged tbjir attention during the last six months.

The Building. — At an early period after their appointment the committee prepared and published an address to the public calling for aid. Before this an active personal cauvas of the community bad been made by their respected Treasurer, and as the result the committee felt justified in taking active steps towards building a Hall. A design and estimate had been kindly furnished by Mr. Cridland, but the absence of that gentleman from this settlement was felt as a serious impediment to its execution. From this difficulty the committee were relieved by Mr. Roberts, who furnished a design and volunteered his aid in superintending its erection. This offer having been gladly accepted, advertisements were issued for tenders, and the tender of Mr. James Reed was accepted. A sub- committee — the same that had received the tenders — was then appointed to carry out the design, and the committee have now the pleasure to state that nearly the whole of the requited materials are upon the ground, and that the excavation necessary for the foundation has been completed — the contractor being bound to proceed with the building with all practicable speed.

Library. — It may be remembered that in August, 1 848, the sum of £20 was remitted per H.M.S. Calliope, to Mr. John Knowles, for the purchase of books. In June last the comoiittee had the gratification of receiving nearly 250 volumes, selected with great taste and judgment by Mr. Knowles, and with a promptitude which the committee feel bound warmly to acknowledge. A number of works also have been presented, among which donations the committee refer with special gratification to a valuable present of periodicals and newspapers from Mr. Cobham, of Newgatestreet, London, to whom, as well as to Mr. Knowles, the committee have forwarded letters of thanks in the name of the Institute. A further sum of £10 was sent to Mr. Knowles, per Mariner, to be laid out in a similar way ; the committee intimating their wish that it should be chiefly appropriated to the purchase of standard works in poetry and light literature.

.Classes. — A drawing class has been ably and usefully conducted by Mr. Norgrove, who has cheerfully devoted a large amount of time and attention to his pupils. The progress made has been very satisfactory, and already

I affords very pleasing indications of future utility. Want of suitable accommodation has prevented the formation of other projected classes, but these will no doubt follow the opening of the Hall.

Funds. — The committee, in calling Attention to the Treasurer's report, notice with satisfaction that the current expenses have been all met, and that the sum of £5 : 4 : 10 remains in hand. With great regret the committee add that Mr. Duncan feels no longer able to devote sufficient time to the office, which, he has therefore intimated bis intention to resign. The committee feel persuaded that every well wisher to the Institution will join in the regret they feel, and in the thanks which they desire to convey to Mr. Duncan for his very zealous and efficient services. The committe have to add that Mr. Sealy who has so efficiently filled the office of Secretary to this Institution for the last twelve months, has also, intimated his intention to decline to act any longer in that capacity. No lectures have been delivered since the revival of the Institute for want of a suitable placet His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman has however offered the use of the new Court House for such purposes, and the committee therefore trust that their successors will be enabled to avail themselves of this important means of fulfilling the objects of this and all kindred institutions, even before the members the pleasure of meeting in their own Hall." The Treasurer's Report was also read and approved shewing a balance of £5 4s. lOd. A very satisfactory report on the state and progress of the drawing class was then read, which together with, the Treasurer's Report we must postpone to our next number, The following gentlemen were then elected officers of the Institution :—: — President, His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman. Vice Presidents, W. Fox, Esq. W. Lyon, Esq. G. Moore, Esq. Conimittee of Management : Messrs. G:. Aller£ G. P. Wallace, J. Woodward, E. Roberts, J. Lowndes, W. Spinks, W. Norgrove, R. Hart, W, Everett, E. Stafford, H. Marshtnan, and W. Seed. Secretaiy — Mr. G. Pickett. \ Treasurer— rMr. R. J. Duncan. Votes of thanks were then passed to Mr. Norgrove for his valuable services in conducting the drawing class, and to Mr. Sealy for his great exertioDs as Secretary . A vote of thanks was also passed to the Chairman, which terminated the proceedingsof the evening .

The following paragraph is extracted from the city article of the Times, of the 22nd June : — "Papers from Wellington, New Zealand, to the 4th of Marcb, have come to hand by the Cornelia. This vessel was the first which sailed direct Irom this port to England, and her cargo, a valuable one, is described as consisting principally of oil and wool, the produce of the southern settlements. The friendly disposition of the native inhabitants of this province had just been manifested both towards the colonists and the Governor,, Sir George Grey, by the preparation of a memorial to the Queen from the Ngatiraukawa and Ngatiawa tribes living at Otaki and Waikanae. In this document, which is published at length in the papers, they recount the benefits the new Governor has conferred upon them in the establishment of hospitals, in encouraging them to build villages, to cultivate wheat, and to keep cattle, and they ask her Majesty to allow Sir George to remain permanently among' them, being well pleased with "his government. The first signature to this remarkable manifesto and which is asserted to have proceeded spontaneously from these parties, is that of Te Rauparaha, who, it will be remembered, was for some time a prisoner of the Government, he having been concerned in the outbreaks of the nttives. The latest accounts from Auckland are entirely destitute of interest, at least so far as the journals intimate. Throughout the northern province every disposition for peace was exhibited by the aborigines."