NELSON INSTITUTE.

Colonist, Volume XXXIV, Issue 6067, 23 March 1891, Page 5

NELSON INSTITUTE.

ANNUAI MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS,

The annual meeting of subscribers to the Nelson Institute was held in the Institute Library on Feb. 24th, Mr J. T. Oatley, VicePresident, occupying the chair. The Chairman briefly referred to tbe satisfactory state of the Institute, and said be considered the fact of certain leotures ha vine been given during (he year in aid of its funds as a very promising one. Some other gentlemen had kindly undertaken to give lectures during the current year for the benefit of the Insti'.ute, and he had no doubt these would h&ve tbe effect of extending its usefulness. Tbe first of these lectures, he added, would be delivered in April by the Eev F. W. Isitt. The hon Secretary, Mr Redgrave, tben r^ad the repo.t of the Commutee for the year ]890, a so the statement of receip s and ex-

penditure. Id their report the Committee sta ed 'hey had much pleasure in recording the f ict that considerably greater interest has been taken in the Institute, and increased support eccorded it during the past twelve months. The ordinary receipt had b^en inoreasfd by £17 14a, the proceeds of two lee ures, one by Dr Duff, on the Indian Mutiny, find the other by the Eev W. A Evans on the French Ee'olntioD. The Committep added that the thanks of membrrs were due to these gentlemen. I; was stated in the report too that several gentlemen bad kindly consented to give kctures dnring the winter, and a hope wag expressed that subscrilers and the public generally would give the* e their gem roussupport bo that the funds derived from this source might somewhat cosn;ensa'.e for the loss of the Government subsidy. As to new books, it was staled that 310 volumes of fiction travel* and miscellaneous literature bad been obtained during the year, and an order had been sent to Mudie's by lasc mail for a further supply of 325 books, tbe iist having been carefully selected, and which included all new woiks of interest— tbe?e books are expected to arrive in May. Thirty volumes of Dickens' works had been ordered to replace delapidated volumes now in the library, and it was Eaid that the Committee intended to r^new the works of Scott, Thackeray, acd Bulwer Lytton as funds permitted. To meet the increasing de msnd for magazines and reviews it had been decided to materially increase the number taken, and by next mail they should commence to receive ' The Spectator, 1 ' The Beview of Eeviews, Scientific American, Pall Mall Budget, Harpers Megszine, Belgravia, Murray's Magszine, an"d the English Mechanic. The Committee recorded their thanks to Mis Locking for having placed on the Library fable, the Queen and Sunday at Home. Reference was made to t'>e we:l kept condition cf the Library, reading and adjacent rooms, " these matters reflecting great credit on the Librarian, whose duties ace performed iv bo efficient a manner." The report concluded as follows : — The Committee desire to place on record their deep regret at the decease of tbe late Mr J. E. Dodson, who has served on the Committee for many years, and has always taken a large and active interest in the progress and welfare of tbe Institute.

The balance-sheet showed that the year commenced with a credit balance of £22 193, that subscriptions were received to the amount of £118, while proceeds of leoturea were £17 14?,. rent of offices brought in £32 10a, and miscellaneous receipts 16s 6d, brought the total to £192 03 4d. The expenditure was for new books, &o, £38 5s Id, sala y of Librarian £70, miscellaneous (inoludirsg £23 18 4d for fuel and light, and £11 10- it.turance) £54 6s 10J, and the year ended v>'-*h a credit balance of £29 83 sc'.

Oa t? c motion cf Mr Kriine, seconded by Mr Baric?, the report and balance-sheet were ftflopted. Messrs Biine and H. iJodfon were elecfcei auditors, and ihe following Ccmmitte«, proposed by Mr Cress, and secondtd by Mr W. Kerr, were declared duly eleoifd namely, Messrs J. T. Catley, 0. Curtis, W. ■ . Curii-s, A. Greenfield, J. P. Harris, E. Beachaui, Dr Hndeon, E. Kirtm. Dr Locking, A. J. Ksdgravt, E- Woreley, and S. B. White. MrJ. V. Harris mov^d-R hear I y vo'erf thanks to their Hon becrctar* , Mr Itedgrat-e, and in doing so spoke in high tsrms of ike good services rendered by that (gentleman, and the energy he had brought to bear on the work. -

MrKirton seconded the motion, which was oarried unanimously.

Votes of thanks were accorded Dr Duff and the Bey Wv A: Evans for their kindness in lecturing orfbebalf of the Institute.

It was also unanimously resolved that the thanks of the subscribers are due to the Librarian for the very efficient manner in wßicb she bas carried out her duties.

The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman,