WELLINGTON ATHENÆUM AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 478, 11 May 1850, Page 2

WELLINGTON ATHENÆUM AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.

The half-yearly meeting of the members of the above Institution took place on Tuesday evening last, May 7, in their new building, Lambton-quay, for the purpose of electing officers and a committee to conduct the business of the Institute for the ensuing six months. W. Lyon, Esq., one of the Vice Presidents, was called to the chair. The meeting was well attended, and a great deal of interest was displayed in its proceedings by the tn embers present. The report as annexed was then read by the Secretary; after which, the Treasurer read his balance sheet to the meeting. REPORT. The Committee of the " Wellington Athenceum and Mechanics' Institute," on this the first general half-yearly meeting of Members held iv a building of their

o-vn, beg to oiler their congratulations on the success which has so far attended the progress of tbe Institute. From -the statements made .at the opening of tin Hall, the members aro! aware tliat the whole amount of money placed at the disposal of the Committee for the erection of tho building, has been expended, and that the treasurer has been authorised to raise £60 on loan, at | 10 per cent interest, for its partial completion. The Committee feel assured, from the cheering expressions of eonfi-,i denco recently manifested, that the further exertions requisite to carry out'the.; design, will be made by the community. While the suitableness ofthe building for many purposes of social improvement.! has become apparent, tho want of additional accommodation is as clearly per- \ ceptible. It is estimated, by the architect, that a further sum of £34 will be required to complete the Hall, by lathing and plaster-; ing the interior; and that the wings may be erected'for the sum of-£l3O.

Upon a careful estimate of the probable expenses and income for the ensuing year, it has been considered desirable to increase the amount of subscription to 10s. 6d. per annum, including therein tho price of members tickets. This alter* ation is recommended to the attention of this meeting.

Library.—A few donations of books,!: and some newspapers, have been-re-, ceived. The books purchased with thej £10 remitted to Mr. Knowlcs in October last, are probably now on the way. A catalogue ofthe books in the Library has been prepared with great 'care; and the: opinion of the members is requisite as to the propriety of printing it for among them, at a price to cover the; expense.

Classes.—A class for the study antl practice of instrumental music holds its; meetings regularly twice a week. A class for vocal music will be formed when a sufficient number of members shall have intimated then- intention to join. The drawing class has resumed its meetings. Members desirous of joining classes for the study of the French and English languages, and of Elocution, are requested to leave their names with the Librarian.

Rules for Classes.—The following rules have been temporally adopted,, and according to the general rule, arc' now submitted for confirmation by this] meeting. i 1. Any three or more members wish 4 ing to form a class, arc to make ap-f plication to the. Committee, -■stating the; objects of the class aiid the time they pro-! pose to meet; bat no class shall be form- 1 ed without the sanction of the Committee obtained in answer to such application. \ 2. Each class .hall at'its first meeting or as soon after as possible, elect a secre tarv and other officers they may see fit,! and form rules for the management of the .lass, a copy of which rules shall be; presented to the Committee at its nextmonthly meeting for approval. I 3. Members of the Institute only shall! be eligible to become members of the; classes meeting in the Institute.

4. The' Secretary of ca_h class shall on the first day o*f each quarter pay to t!u\ Treasurer in advance, at the rate of one shilling for each member of the class, to cover the expenses of candles, &c; thoiclass not to meet more than orrje each week. 5. All classes to "be under the Supcrintciidauco of the Library Sob-Com-mittee, who shall report thereon, accord-' ing to the Minute of the sth June, 1810. Basil Montague, o.i.Tf;hh-.v Theory of Laughter," has Isco'i .-;■.,; ; Jr. Uv.v-. Notes Des- «''" ''■'■■i'-A' of the Eastern Coast of; ih-. . ..utliern Island, by Mr. Mantell, and a Lecture on Education, by Mr. Woodward, has beon delivered." The Committee are in hopes that a series of Lectures and Readings, will be continued through the winter, and request those friends of the Institute, who are able, to contribute their assistance in this important branch of its operations. Funds.—The Committee notice with satisfaction that there is a balance of £11 7s. sd. in the general revenue, as shown by the Treasurers accounts, and it is to be hoped that the steady increase of the funds, will next half year enable the Committee to obtain a regular supply of the Magazines and other periodicals. Where so much that is pleasing has to be recorded, the Committee regret to call attention to a matter of -an opposite nature / - On the occasion of the recent Soiree, an arrangement was entered into for the supply of tea and coffee at the price of Is. for each person present. In consequence ofthe disappointment experienced in the nature of the article supplied, the Committee have tendered a lower sum in discharge, which has been refused. The Committee Tccormnend to this mooting to instruct their successors to resist die demand as originally rendered, believing that the audience then present would be disposed to approve of that course.

Mr. Christian moved -" That the Report and Treasurer's account now read be received and adopted," which was carried unanimously.

Tho following gentlemen wore pro. posed, and duly elected, office bearers for tho ensuing half-year, viz. • — President. ■I'Tia Honor Ml*. Justice Chapman. Vies Presidents. W. Fox, Ksq.; W. Lyon, 105q..; G. Moom., l.s n . Treasurer. Mr. .1. W.ioi.w.wtr.. Secretary. _ Mr. (!. Pickett. Coin mil lee. Messrs. T,. Rollerts | Messrs. R. .1. Thirion;. R. Ifitft I Charles Mills W. Spinks 1 1. ... Smith 3. Mars*.iiimn Br Monteith Tt. Davis W. Tvorgrove 11. M'lntosli W. Miintell. The question of printing a catalogue of liooks in the Library, as suggested in the report, was submitted to the meeting, and the Committee were instructed to order it to be done and supply it'to members at cost price. Mr. J. 11. Wallace moved, " that Mr. Bushel be appointed Libarian for Uio coming .half-year." The Chairman said that tliis was properly, the business of the Committee, .md re"* ferred to the general rale upon the subject. A discussion ensued, and it was afterwards moved by Mr. James M'Beth, and seconded, that the following be added to the general rules of the Institute :— "Tho Librarian .should lie chosen by the Members generally, and .not by tho Committee as heretofore." Several members objected on tho ground that the proposed measure would be taking out of the hands of the Committee a power which it -was necessary they should hold, in order to carry on in the most e'fiiciertt manner the business of the Institute. The proposition was afterwards adopted by a considerable majority,—and Mr. WaHace's motion put and carried. Mr. Roberts considered that what the members had done, implied a warn of confidence in their Committee, and therefore declined to act. Mr. Woodward for a similar reason declined to'nct as Treasurer. Mr. Hunter was then added to the Committee in the place of Mr. Roberts, and Mr. R. D. Wallace appointed Treasurer instead of M. Woodward. It was then moved and seconded that-- " The thanks of the meeting tire due, and arc hereby given, to 'the President, vice P-rcsi'Jcnts, Treasuro-.yi.nd Secretary, for tlieir services during the past half-year. This Resolution-was carried—and tlio Meeting then sept, rate _l. We cannot but regret that Messrs. Woodward, and Roberts,,two of tho most efficient Members of the-former Committee, should "have been induced towithdra'w from the management. An Institute such as tliis can only be rendered efficient for all the purposes which it embraces, by a -cordial co-operation of the .wlioln body 'of Members, and we trust that nothing will happen, that will inteifer. wilh the progress of this, tho most useful Institution in the XJoinmuiitv.