THE REPORT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 971, 30 March 1870, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE REPORT.

Gentlemen, — The annual general meeting of the members of the Taranaki Institute should, accordiug to the regulations, have been held in July last, and no sufficient excuse can be given for it having been delayed so long. Perhaps the anxiety of mind dne to the unsettled aspect of native affairs in this Province may be taken as some excuse for the neglect on my part, and I presume that if any of the members of the Institute had been anxious about the matter, I should havo been reminded of it. Having now approached within four months of the time for the annual meeting of July, 1870, it might have been as well to let it stand over till then, but a member of the lustitute having intimated that he had some change to propose with regard to the subscription, I have thought it my duty to call yon together without further delay. It will be open for you to consider whether this meeting may not as well stand for that of July, 1870 ; the Committee and officers being appointed to hold office till July, IS7I. I am sorry to have to report a falling off in the revenue of the Institute from £106, at which it was estimated at the last annual meeting in August, 1868, to £78, the amount received from subscriptions for the year euding 30th June, 1869. To this we have to add this current year a donation of £5 from his Excellency the Governor, during his recent visit ; and we may further take credit for nbouo £12 per annum, the value of newspapers now paid for by the Provincial Government, as a set off against the reduction in tho subscription to the Reading Room. The following were the numbers of subscribers of different classes at the date of the last general meeting : —

Which should give a revenue of £91 12s., — somewhat better thau shewn by the balance sheet to 30th June, 1569. I need not tell you that the removal of the troops is one cause of the diminution in our numbers and revenue. Another is the removal of many settlers, formerly living in town, to their farms in remote parLs of the settlement ; and a third is the temporary depression due to the cessation of military expenditure. We are now relying entirely on our own natural resources, and I trust need not fear any further reduction, but are likely to see a gradual increase if the settlement is blessed with the continuance of peace.

Evening entertainments— combining reading and music — have been held during the winters of IS6B aud 1569, and have, on the whole, given great satisfaction, and yielded a small profit to the Institute. Last year a difficulty was experienced in getting up the musical part of the entertainments, several of our best singers haviug lefc for other Provinces, and one who was always obliging, and always welcomed by a Taranaki audience, having been lakon from amongst us by death. I allude, of course, to the late Mr. Yems ; aud I take this occasion to remind yon that the Rev. Mr. Whiteley— that true lover of his fellowmen, whose cruel murder has cast suoh a gloom ovor this settlement — was one of the first Committee of this Institute, although when fully started he left it to the management of other s, having plenty of other good works always on hand. It is to be hoped that the Committee you appoint to-night will shortly re-commence the evening entertainments, and that with the assistance of the ladies, which was kindly given at times last winter, and a little more forethought and arrangoment, the musical part may be managed with less difficulty.

Lectures on scientific and literaiy subjects should bo encouraged as far as possible ; but owing to the small number of persons here who have at the same time sufficient education and ability, sufficient leisure, and sufficient confidence to undertake a public lecture, very much is not to be expected in that way as yet.

In conclusion, I wish to express the hope that tho advantages of the Institute Reading Room will be more and more appreciated every year, now that the subscription is reduced to the nominal amount of 4s. a year. I will not speak positively on the subject, but I much doubt whether such a spacious and well lighted room, provided with suoh a varied selection of periodical literature to suit all tastes, is open to the workiug class in any other settlement of tho Colony. Cenaiuly in proportion to our means, we have done well in this matter, and I am glad to see that the room is better filled than it would bo at the higher rate. I look upon this Institute as the most thoroughly civilised thing in Taranaki, and feel that lasting gratitude is duo to the government of Mr. Charles Brown, and the Council of that time, for- providing suoh thoroughly suitable accommodation in a place where it naLurally becomes a public resort, and furnishes to those who have any wish to improve their minds, a counter attraction to the numerous bar rooms in its neighbourhood. Little in the way of making it more attractive can be done, I fear, at present, from the poverty both of the Government and public ; but we should keep our thoughts turned in that direction, as one of the truest ways of fighting against the progress of intemperance. A gymnasium, a room for chess, drafts, and bagatelle or billiards, without gambling, would add greatly to the usefulness of the institution ; and I trust increased prosperity may after a while enable us to add such innocent amusements to the mental food we now supply. H. R. Richmond.

Receipts and Expenditure of the Taranaki Institute, for the Year ending 30th June, 1869. receipts. £ s. d. Cash in hand on Ist July, 1868 ... 19 8 4 Subscriptions and fines (inclusive of £S from Provincial Government for newspapers, &c, for reading room) 78 0 5 Readings 11 IS 6 £109 7 3

R. Chilean, Treasurer. Mr. T. Colson proposed and Mr. T. Smith seconded, "That the report and balance sheet as read be adopted. — Carried.

EXPENDITURE. £ S. d. Books and periodicals 44 9 10 Newspapers ... ... ... ... 7 4 0 Librarian ... ... ... ... 15 0 0 Lighting 13 5 8 Printing, advertisements, stationery, &c 3 12 6 Expenses of readings ... ... ... 8 5 9 3ommission on subscriptions... ... 114 8 Sash in hand 15 14 8 £109 7 3

£ s. 41 at 2 0 11 afc 1 10 35 at 0 10 £ s. a. 82 0 0 1(5 10 0 17 10 0 £116 0 0 r e have now — £ s. 29 afc 2 0 5 afc 1 10 6at 0 14 25 at 0 10 52 at 0 4 £ a. a. 58 0 0 7 10 0 4 4 0 11 10 0 10 8 0