NELSON INSTITUTE—ANNUAL GENE-

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 343, 1 February 1861, Page 3

NELSON INSTITUTE—ANNUAL GENE-

RAL MEETING. The above meeting took place in the reading room on Monday evening last, 28th instant; H. Adam.«, Esq., President, in. the chair.

The Secretary read the following report:—

"In repoiting upon the actual state of the Nelson Institute, your committee scarcely feel themselves justified in stating that the anticipations of its progress expressed in some of their former reports have been realised. The number of subscribers indeed is somewhat less than in January, 1860. At that time it amounted in the aggregate to 220, whereas at present the total yearly and half-yearly together is only 213.

" But this slight decline Is not, your committee believe, to be taken as evidence that they miscalculated, in the reports alluded to. the results of the improvements in the Institution then contemplated. It is attributable solely to the fact, that from causes beyond their control, the improvements themselves have not yet been carried into anything like complete execution. The new building is indeed at last on the point of completion, but until it shall have actually been opened, the increased attractiveness it may give the Institution, by the large addition it will afford to the comfort and convenience of the members, could scarcely be expected to produce much effect upon the number of subscribers. And the benefits to be derived from the liberal grants of the Trustees of the Nelson Trust Funds must still be a matter for future anticipation, the objects upon which these grants are to be expended not having yet been brought to bear upon the public for their conveniances or gratification. , "Of the last sum of £500 granted by the trustees, it was resolved that 4300 should be spent in a supply of books to be added to the library, the remainder in the purchase of objects of interest for the Museum. A variety; of works in most of the departments of literature, of our standard and popular authors, both dead and living, amounting to upwards of 500 volumes, have been sent for, and may be expected to arrive at an early date. To supply in some degree the immediate wants of the subscribers, a sum of ,£2O was spent in this town in procuring a number of works of fiction of the lighter kind, and the 200 volumes thus obtained, have, if your committee may judge from the demand for them, given great satisfaction to the members. It is perhaps owing to this opportune supply that the number of half-yearly subscribers has increased since June last, from 28 to 44. If this be so, your committee can look with some confidence to a proportionate increase in these numbers being produced by the acquisition of the much larger amount of more valuable books sent for to England. While on this subject, it should be mentioned that about 30 volumes of solid and useful works have been kindly presented to the Institute by the Bishop of Nelson. " The opening of the new building which will take place in about a month; the valuable collection of minerals alluded to in our previous reports (about 1,500 carefully selected specimens), for the exhibition of which glazed cases have already been erected; and the philosophical apparatus, which includes an electrical machine, galvanic battery, air pump, and chemical apparatus; will, it is trusted, add still further to the interest of the public in the Institute.

"During the last half year, three of the most popular and able of the English periodicals have been added to those previously in our reading room, namely, Once a Week, the Cornhitt Magazine, and MacMillan's Magazine, and two additional colonial newspapers, the Otago Colonist and the Taranaki Herald.

" But your committee regret to have to report with respect to the new building, that their urgent representations in previous reports of the necessity of increased exertions in raising funds to meet the expense of its erection, have not had the effect they hoped for of procuring a sum sufficient for that purpose. There has been up to the present time expended on the building £865, and there will be due on the completion of the work contracted for a further sum of £485.

" The present Institute buildiug, valued at £250, is taken by the principal contractor, Mr. Burns, as part payment, thus reducing the deficiency to £235.

" Some portion of this may be raised from the proposed exhibition to take place, at the opening of the building, of works of art and objects of curiosity, which many members of the Institute and of the public have kindly undertaken to lend for that occasion. But there will still remain a considerable sum, and y our committee cannot devise any means of obtaining this other than by an appeal to the liberality of the Government and the Provincial Council, which they strongly advise should be made. Even supposing that any sum so to be voted Bhould be in diminution of the total sum to be given for the.public works for the City of Nelson, your committee cannot but think that the majority of those interested would approve the appropriation to objects of permanent interest and of moral and intellectual value of a durable kind, si.eh as those it is the aim of this Institute to provide, of a small portion of the public money ordinarly devoted fo works of mere material and physical utility. Your committee recommend that the members of the Provincial Council for the City of Nelson should be requested to use their endeavours to obtain a vote for the sum. alluded to."

The Report was adopted,

The Balance-sheet shewed a debt to the Treasurer of £51.

The following officers were elected for the current year:—President, H. Adams; Vice-Presi-dent, D. Sinclair; Treasurer, 0. Curtis; Secretary, J. Percy; Committee, A. Domett, D. Burns, J. L. Bailey, W. Wells, R. Burn, D. Moore, H.

J. Goodman, W. C. Hodgson.

A vote of thanks was passed to the late Cora* mittee aud to the Auditors, and. the meeting sepa-

rate^