THE ATHENÆUM.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5669, 31 May 1879, Page 2

THE ATHENÆUM.

SPECIAL MEETING.

A special meeting of the members of the Athemeum (Mr. J. Woodward, in the absence of the President, being .voted to the chair) was held last night to consider the, following proposed addition to the rales That, questions may be determined at any' general or special general meeting oLthe subscribers by ballot, and that the time for taking the ballot may be extended so as to allow all subscribers resident in Wellington to record their votes. —The Chairman moved the adoption of the resolution. —Archdeacon Stock seconded the motion —Mr. Logan thought that there was a good deal to be said against the motion. He could not see any necessity for a ballot being kept over for days—perhaps s. week.—Dr. Newman would also oppose the‘proposed resolution. —The Rev. Mr. Coffey. thought the object of the resohition was to get the opinion of members, and those who opposed it would seem to be opposed to obtaining such expression of opinion. After some further remarks from the rev. gentleman, Mr.-H. D. Bell and Mr. Brandon spoke in favor of the resolution, and Mr. Edwards opposed.—Air. Alien also opposed the motion. Keeping the ballot box open fe r several days seemed U him preposterous. He warmly supported the keeping open of the institution on Sunday.—The Chairman put the motion, when it was carried by ten to eight. Several gentlemen refrained from voting. ANNUAL MEETING. * The annual meeting was then he!d. The report for the year was taken as reed.- The following is the report:—ln.presenting the report for the past year, the committee'fegret that they cannot advise any marked progress in the affairs of the institution.—The committee have had considerable difficulty with the finances of the institution in. consequenpe of it being impossible to obtain a satisfactory settlement with the’sureties of the late* contractor for the building. Legal proceedings were at last resorted to, and a verdict in favor of the institution returned, but no money has yet been paid in consequence of several legal points being still unsettled—The result of the above, coupled with the' failure to obtain a further advance on the security of the property,.has left the iustitutiondn debt to creditors to the extent of £2565'95. lid., against which there are assets to, come m of £855 9s. 10d.', leaving a balance of £l7lO Os; Idlto be , proVided for from some source other than thd'ordinary reyenne of the institution.,: ) This Amount, added to the mortgage upon, the land and building, would make a total indebtedness of £8,210 Os. there ai.eafig<^B,,vahie£l6,42s. The ooipmjttee have noticed, a glowing feeling

in favor of a free public library. This question has at vari-ms times received their careful attention, and the committee would feel disposed to recommend the members to agree, under certain conditions, to hand the land, buildings, and library over to the city Corporation in trust for the citizens, taking care that the interests of those members who still desire to retain the circulating library department were duly protected,—The number of member on the roll, exclusive of lifo members, is 783, as against 722 last year. The number of visitors introduced duriug the year, whose names are recorded in the visitors’ book, is 528. The visitors, however, who have actually made use of the reading room have exceeded 1000 in number.—The average daily attendance in the reading room is 270 persons, and the yearly circulation of books from the library is 26,000 volumes.-—The attendance of subscribers ou Sundays, when the readingrooms are open between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m., has been exceedingly limited, averaging from sixteen to twenty persons.—The statements of accounts for the past year are attached hereto, and give fulldetailsastothe working of both the general and building accounts.— Tlio committee have to express their thanks for a donation of £IOO received from the executors under the will of the late Hon. W. B. Rhodes, M.L 0., which sum has, in accordance with the request of tlse donor, been expended in the purchase of standard works of reference. —The committee have also to expreis their obligations to the many Indies and gentlemen who assisted at the series of popular

concerts given last winter in the hall, and which resulted iu handing over to the institute, a net sum of about £l6O ; £IOO of which has been expended in the purchase of a semi-grand piano for the hall,—The committee have to ■regret that during the past year one of the vice-presidents—Mr. William Lyon—has passed away. Mr. Lyon’s name lias been honorably identified with the institution since the year 1842, and iu. his death it loses a friend who, for nearly 40 years, spared no trouble to advance its interests.—The committo would urge upon the present members tlio necessity of bringing the many advantages of tlio institution prominently before their friends and acquaintances, with a view of largely increasing the roll of subscribers. The institution should not consist of leas than 1000 subscribers, and in a city like Wellington this numbershoald be reached without difficulty. —The Chairman moved the adoption of the report. He thought, iu spite of its nnfavovbie nature, they still had much to congratulate themselves upon. To turn the institution into a free public library would be thought be a fitting termination to their labors. However, be thought it was possible for them to retain their corporate ; existence and continue the circulating library, giving up a portion of the building for the purposes of a free library. After referring to the state of the finances, which he touched upon in a somewhat hopeful manner, saying ho was not disposed to take a gloomy view of the state of affairs. Mr, Woodward alluded to the increased attendance and circulation of books. The reference books purchased with the legacy left by Mr. Rhodes were an important addition to the library. On the whole, while asking them to adopt their report, he considered that their difficulties-wore such as they might hope, with time and patience, to overcome.—The motion for tlio adoption of the report having been seconded, it was agreed to, after a short discussion as to ; the propriety of the books being accessible to members.—The election of officers was then proceeded with. Sir Wm. Ritzherbert- was unanimously re-elected president, and Messrs. G. Hunter, M.H.R., George Allan, and J. Woodward were re-elected vicepresidents, and Messrs. T. K. Macdonald and Logan treasurer ond secretary, likewise unanimously. A ballot’ was taken for the seven members of ■ committee which resulted in Messrs. H. Barber, W. B. Edwards, Lodger, A. -K. Newman, C. P. Powles, J. - M. Taylor, and H. Wilcox being elected. Tlio retiring auditors—Messrs. Warren and Kebbeil—were re-elected, and a votd of thanks moved to them for their services during the past year, which was cordially agreed to.—Archdeacon Stock suggested to the incoming committee that the Secretary should keep a a book showing the number of works of light literature takea out as opposed to works of a graver ; character. He would also suggest thai. the committee should semi to Messrs. Mbelie, of London, a sum of say £25 for the purchase of second-hand copies of works of a standard character. He would further suggest that the committee should call a special meeting to consider the advisability of rescinding the resolution which permitted of the library beingl opened on Sunday.—A vote of thanks was .proposed '/to the officers and retiring committee .'for! their services during the past year, and agreed to.—Messrs/ Logab and Macdonald returned thanks, mentioning the services rendered during the year by Messrs. Oherrett and BraOdon.-rA vote of thanks was then carried by acclamation to the vice-presidents ; and Messrs. Woodward and Hunter briefly re-

spondee!.—A cordial vote of thanks was then passed to the paid officers. of the institution, who were moat highly spoken of; and a vote was also passed to the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted at the various concerts.— The meeting then terminated.