St. Leonards Mechanics’ Institution
A Quarterly Meeting of the now long-existing institution was held on the 14th of February, when the committee’s report, read by the junior secretary, Mr. John Davis, showed the number of subscribing members to be 124 – an increase of ten; and the number of life-members 35, being a reduction of one, in consequence of the lamented death of Mr. R. F. Davis, who had also been a secretary and vice-president. The balance of cash in the treasurer’s hands was 4s. 4d., and the outstanding liabilities were about £30. Mrs. Herbert, a tenant, had given notice to quit, and the rooms had been relet at a rent of 19 guineas. The thanks of the meeting were said to be due to Mr. T. B. Brett for three readings on “Metropolitan Sights”; to F. North, Esq., for a lecture on “The Alps”, to Dr. Stone, for his lecture on “Water”; to Mr. J. C. Savery, for a lecture on “Heat”, to Mr. Drayson, for a lecture on “Ancient Rome”; and to the Amateur Musical Union, assisted by Mr. Brett, for a “Musical and Anecdotal Entertainment” by which the Institution was financially benefitted.
At the May Quarterly Meeting, the secretary, Mr. S. Putland, jun., read the Committee’s report, which showed a decrease of 15 in the number of members and stated that during the quarter a lecture on “Electricity” had been given by Mr. Banks and two additional readings on “Metropolitan Sights by Mr. Brett. Mr. McCowan having resigned the office of librarian, Mr. Wm. Shaw had been appointed in his stead at a small gratuity. The reading-room had been let to Mrs. Mirlees for an hour on Sunday mornings for a scripture-class of workingmen. The treasurer, (T. B. Brett) then read the financial statement which showed a balance in hand of 10½d. and outstanding liabilities of nearly £36. He explained that although those liabilities were more than at the previous quarter, they would really have been about £3 less, had not bills amounting to nearly £10 come in for repairs, which more properly belonged to the previous quarter. He also stated that the lectures and entertainments during the past winter, besides being more numerous, had been more lucrative than previously.
The August quarterly meeting was thinly attended and was void of any special interest. The usual decrease of members during summer, in the present instance was shewn to be nine. There was a balance of 6/8 due to the treasurer, but the liabilities had been reduced by £3.
The Annual Meeting, held on the 28th of November, was not largely attended, nor was the business of a magnitude to require a lengthy notice. The senior secretary (Mr. S. Putland, jun) read the Committee’s report, which showed a reduction of three in the number of members, whilst the number of life-members remained at 35. W. Janson, Esq., of 97 Marina had presented 44 volumes of books and a number of pamphlets. The library had recently received 56 additional volumes, thus bringing up the number to 1150. Mr. W. Hall having resigned his office as collector, Mr. Shaw had taken his place. A balance of 8/10 was due to the treasurer, but the liabilities account showed a further reduction of £5. The following officers were re-elected:-
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