WINCHESTER MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11661, 21 January 1902, Page 3

WINCHESTER MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

The annual general meeting of subscribers to the Winchester Mechanics' Institute was held in the hall of the institute on Saturday evening. Mr W. Deßenzy occupied the chair, and there was an excellent attendance. Mr A. H. Crosbie, the honorary secretary, read a very satisfactoiy report on the operations of the year. The report mentioned that 103 new books had been added to the library during the year, and 1631 volumes had been taken out by subscribers. Hearty thanks were tendered to the following for supplying their papers free to the Institute : "Temuka Leader," "Timaru Post," "Timaru Herald," "Lyttelton Times" (per Mr F. R. Flatman). " Otago Witness" (per Mr Buckland), "The Prohibitionist," and " The London Times " (per Major Ferguson). The treasurer, Mr G. Steven, read the annual balance sheet, which had been duly audited by Mr J. Opie. The receipts amounted to £2B 9s lOd, the chief items being members' subscriptions £l6 8s 6d, government subsidy £8 12s lOd, and donations £1; £lo 8s 4d was spent <?n books and capers, £7 14s Id on light, fuel, and cleaning', and there was a balance in hand of £1 Is 3d.

The report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted, and a hearty vote .of thanks passed to the outgoing committee for their efficient services during the past year. A proposal to vote £1 Is to Mr A. H. Crosbie for his long and valuable services to the institution was carried by acclamation, but Mr Crosbie declined the offer with thanks. The following gentlemen were then chosen to act as a committee for the current year:—Messrs Buckland, Crosbie, Hitchins. J. Moore, D. McCaskill, G. Steven, and J. Wilks. ,~,At a meeting of the new committee, Mr A. H. Crosbie was elected as chairman and secretary, and Mr G. Steven was appointed treasurer for the eighth time in. succession. The meeting, which was a most harmonious one, closed with a hearty Vote of thanks to" the" chairman, which Mr DeRenzy courteously acknowledged.