THE OAMARU MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 883, 13 February 1879, Page 2

THE OAMARU MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING MAIL. Sir, —On reading the report of the annual meeting of the,, members of this Institute held last Thursday evening, I •was much grieved to find how "little interest is taken in" the : Institute by the Oamaru people. The principal speakers ■at the :meeting—Mr. Sumpter--(the then President), Mr. Hislop (the newly-elected President), Mr.; • Shrimski, M.HiR., and the Rev.: Mr. T<?dd—all referred in forcible language to : the want of support by the'iriefehiuiics of an institution got up for their benefit. Mr. said very plainly that the people of Oamaru appearing to care so little about the Institute made him luke-warm and indifferent on the subject. Mr. Todd also compared our Institute to the flourishing ones in other districts which he had lately visited, and the comparison was anything but flattering to Oamaru. Allow me to ask you, Mr. Editor, why is this apathy on the part of the inhabi'ants of Oamaru to an institute which of all others ought to be well supported. Oamaru has a population of nearly 5000, a number of which are mechanics, and I believe I am correct in stating that out of that population only 150 are subscribers to the institute ! and of this 150 I am told not more than 50 are mechanics or artizans. Is the subscription too much for their means ? One pound a 3 T ear, or something under fivepence a week ! and the members have a reading-room well supplied with papers and periodicals, and a very fair library of general literature, history, science, and light reading. If the mechanics of Oamaru cannot afford to spend fivepence a week, or' are not willing to do so, to support an institute like this established for their own benefit (less than they would pay for one glass of beer) it is a sad thing indeed, and they are not worthy of having a place of the kind kept up for their benefit.

All the tennis around us have each their Institute, and I am told our Oamaru one is the shabbiest and worst supported of any within a large radius. In Timaru they have a fine Institute, and connected with a large lecture hall, which alone brings in a revenue of, I believe, L4OO a year. I do not see why we should not have the same in Oamaru, and we could easily have it if our mechanics and artisans would give their support in the matter by becoming members.

Now, the question resolves itself to this —Are the mechanics of Oamaru so poor that they cannot afford LI a year, or rather fivepence a week to, I won't say support our Institute, but to provide intellectual recreation for themselves and families ? Newspapers from all parts of of the colonies and from Home are on the tables of the Institute, and there is a good library of books to select from and take home for home reading ; or, are they so ignorant or prejudiced as not to care for the intellectual improvement of themselves and families ? As to the first (poverty) I can scarcoly believe that to be the case. To my awn knowledge, for the last seven years 01* so the mechanics of Oamaru—• carpenters, masons, tailors, foundrymen, etc., itc—have had full employment at wages varying from 10s. to 14s. per day, so poverty can't be the cause. What is it then I Surely it can't- be nationality. Are they naturally so fond of the baubees that they grudge to spend fivepsnce a week for their own and their families mental improvement ? I see by an article in your paper that it is in contemplation to "ei up evening classes for the benefit of the young artisans of Oamaru. When they cannot be induced to give even fivepence a week to the institute, I fear there is small chance of their giving not only that small sum, but paying for the classes as well, as 110 doubt tho classes will only be for the members of the Institute.

Tho people of Timaru seem to be different in their way of supporting their Institute. I3ut then it has been said that the majority there are English, and, no doubt there is a great deal in this. It must also be admitted that a largo majority here are uvt English. I wonder lias that anything to say in the matter ? One tiling is very certain, that it is a disgrace to Oamaru the way the Mechanics' Institute is allowed to drag out a miserable existence. However, I hope and trust that you, Mr. Editor, will use the inllucncc of youv paper to induce the l'C-onlo of Hainan! io support the Institute, and'that the newly-appointed Committee of Management when they retire from ofhcc will be able to say that it has prospered better linder their regime than under that <>f their predecessors.

I am, ito., A Srr.sritnsEK to the Ixstitue. Oamaru, Stli February, IS7S.