TARANAKI INSTITUTE. ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 2298, 17 April 1875, Page 2

TARANAKI INSTITUTE. ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS.

fiiE annual meeting of members of the raniunki Institute was held iv the readingroom, on Wednesday evening. 'Ihe attendance was small. Mr. Chilman took the chair, and read the balance-sheet for the past year, as also a statement of the receipts and expenditure for the past year, as follows : — Statement of Libraries Account from- Ist January to 'ilst December, 1874. RECEIPTS. v Ji s. d. Cash in hand Ist January, 1874 ... 12 14 4 Subscriptions S3 IS) * :> Donation, Star Minstrels 5 0 0 Half uett proceeds of Headings ... 510 9 - £107 i 4 Balance 5 9 5 £112 13 '.) EXPENDITURE. A S. d. Books and Periodicals ... ... 5)1 13 8 Librarian 15 0 0 Making and fixing Cupboard ... 415 0 Sundries 15 1 £112 13 I) Balance forward ... ... 5 5) 5 Statement of Reading lloom Account from Ist January to 31si December, 1874. receipts. £ b. d. Subscriptions 20 8 !) Donation, Star Minstrels ... ... 5 0 0 llalf nett proceeds of Readings ... 510 9 £30 19 6 Balance forward 7 G 10 EXPENDITURE. £ 8. d. Balauce Ist January, 1874 *.. 15 5 Periodicals, &c ... 12 0 0. Lighting and Firewood 10 7 3 £23 12 S Balance 7 6 10 £30 19 6 The Chairman said that the thanks of the Committee were due to the fcstar Minstrels for their handsome donation, and to Mr. llennell, who had audited the accounts of the Institute. The balance-sheet was then adopted. Election of a President. — The Chairman said that Mr." Richmond having left the Province, it remained for the members to elect another president in his place, and he therefore had great pleasure in proposing Judge Kenny as president. — Mr. Weston seconded the nomination. He felt certain the Institute would prosper under his presidency. — The resolution having beeu carried unanimously, Judge Kenn3-, in a few well-chosen word's, returned thanks for the honor conferred on him. Election, of the Treasurer. — Mr. Chilman stated that he could not possibly undertake the duties of treasurer for the ensuing year, aud he would thank the members to noniisate some gentleman for the office. — Judge Kenny proposed Mr. C. E. Rawson, who was seconded by Air. Weston, and carried. Election of the Secretary. — On the motion of Mr. Northcroft seconded by Mr. Weston, Mr. C. D. Whitcombe was re-elected secrelaiy. Election of Auditors. — Messrs. C. Rcuuell and W. Webster were then re-elected auditors. Election of the Committee. — The committee for the ensuing year were appointed, and the former coinmitteernen re-elected. Committee — The Yen. Archdeacon Govett, Messrs. T. Kiug, T. Kelly, W. Northcroft, J. Jones. Library Committee — Yen. ArcLdeacou Govett, H. E. Kenny, T. King, F. Ronalds, H. Weston, W. Northcroft, and T. Colsou. Vote of Thanhs for Past Services. — On the motion of Judge Kenny, seconded by Mr. Northcroft, a vote of thanks to Mr. Chilman for his past services as treasurer, was carried unanimously. Subscribers failing iv Arrcar. — Judge Kenny stated that several subscribers had a very bad habit of letting their subscriptions run iv arrear, and he fouud that out of bixtyfour subscribers, fourteen were in arrear. if the subscriptions were paid in promptly, it would enable the Committee to send for books more regularly than they could do under the present circumstances. Agreat many persons, residents of the place, who were not subscribers, were in the habit of visiting the reading room ; and he did not think it fair to the subscribers that these persons should thus make use of the papers without paying. Visitors, however, were allowed the use of the room for two months, free of charge, which ho thought was very liberal. He would instruct the police to visit the Reading Room three or four times during the day, and a list being furnished them, they would be authorised to turn out those persons who were nonsubscribers. He would move, " That tho Librarian be instructed that the rules as to defaulting subscribers are to be strictly adhered to. — Mr. Northcroft seconded the resolution, which was put and carried. The Heading Room. — Mr. Jones thought the press might help the Institute considerably by inserting a paragraph, iv which might be slated the Jow rate of subscription to the reading-room (4s. per year). A great many immigrants and other strangers were con- ! stantly arriving, aud he thought they would gladly avail themselves of the Reading Room if they knew the subscription was so low. — Judge Kenny would do all iv his power to benefit the Institute. He suggested that a course of six lectures be given during the winter months. Taranaki possessed a great many able lecturers, who, he was sure, would be willing to give their services for such a good purpose. It would not only increase the funds of the Institute, but would prove both interesting and instructive. The Government requested to give a Sum to the Institate. — A conversation ensued with reference to the procuring of an Otago newspaper. At present {he papers are first sent to the Government office, aud then are forwarded to the reading-room. The opinion of the meeting seemed to be in favor of having the papers sent direct to the Institute. — Mr. Broad proposed and Mr. Weston seconded, "That the Provincial Government be requested to contribute a sum of £25 to the Institute, for the purpose of procuring papers for the reading-room, instead of the present plan of receiving them through the Superintendent's Office." Carried. Vote of Tkunhs to tho Star Minstrrls.—'M.r. Weston proposed and Judge Kenny seconded, "That the President be requested to thank the Star Minstrels for their handsome donation to the funds of the Institute." Carried. Vote of Thanhs to Hon. JT?: Scotland. — Judge KENNY proposed "That a vote of thauks he. given to the Hon. Mr. Scotland, for specimens of coral, shells, &c, presented by him to the Institute." This was seconded by Mr. Nortuckoft, and carried. A vote of thanks to the Chan-man terminated the meeting.