LITERARY AND GYMNASTIC ASSOCIATION.

West Coast Times, Issue 238, 27 June 1866, Page 2

LITERARY AND GYMNASTIC ASSOCIATION.

Last night, a number of gontlemen met by invitation, in tho upper room of tho Criterion Hotol, to form a sooioty for the purpose of proem Ing a reading and locturo roo.m.wfth all tho usual adjunots of an athoncoum, together with an apartmont for gymnastic exorcisos. Mv W. L. Rnos, on being oallod to the chair, oxplniuod tho motives that had induced a few of thoso present to call tho mooting, dwelling at somo length on tho absence that exists in Hokitika of opportuuitioß for oithor mental or physioal oxoroiso and onjoymont. He conoludod by urging on tho mooting tho necessity that oxistod for tho formation of a Lody having tho above aims, and onorgotically to got such an association into working order. » Mr James Moir having boon appointed soovetavy pro. tern., lottora woro read from Mr G-. S. Sale, Mr Gt. &. Fitzgorald, and Mr Oaasius, who woro unablo to attend, but expressed their conourronco in tho objoots of the mooting, mid proflbrod their full support. It having been docidod that tho Hokitika Literary and Gymnastio Association bo considorod as having an existence, about forty gon« tlonion, inoluchng thoso present, were enrolled as moinboi'o. Tho mombors presont noxt proccodod to olect a provisional committco, to draw up and prosont at a future mooting a sohomo including a set of rulos, mcoting placo, proposod library, and all tho dotails of thorough organisation. The mooting was then adjourned .sine Mo. Immediately on which taking

placo, the provisional committee proceeded to form sub-committeos, haying the following duties :— Messrs Sale, Roes, Bonar, arid Ro« berts to wait on the Superintendent, and en* doavor to proouro a grant of land on whioh to erect a suitable building. Messrs Fisher, Forsyth, Proctor, and Cooper, to bring forward information as to the most suitable description of building for the association. Messrs Pre« shaw, Sponce, and Ohamborlam woro appointed to draw up a plan of finanoial arrangements. MoB8r» Button, Bees, Bright, and Moir to prooure information regarding the necessary supply of books and periodicals ; and Messrs Proshaw, Dovore, Carter, and Moir as Gym* nastio Committee Having arrangod theso preliminary stops, the Provisional Comraittoo adjourned until Saturday next, when they will meet in tho/ame place to draw up the report for the general meeting of mombere, whioh will be called some evening next week, or as soon as the labors of this committco are sufficiently matured to present a doflnito plan for conducting tho sooioty.