The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-02-14 00:00:00

REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31st, 1873.

It is with mingled feelings of pleasure and regret that
the Committee look back on the past year, in connection
with the affairs of the Instilute,—pleasure in that so
much has been done towards making the library worthy
of the name, and regret that the attempt to form classes
did not prove successful. 'lbis was in gaeat part due to
apathy amongst the members, which, if we may judge
from later events, is cow disappearing. It was the in-
tention of thv Committee to have held a class for draw-
ing, one of the members holdings Government certificate
having offered tv conduct the came, but they were com-
pelled to give up the idea for a Duni on account of funds
to purchase the requisite models and examples. They
are happy to say, however, that arrangements with the
Science and tot Department have been made, and they
Gust the difficulty as to funds will not agaiu occur
The income duiing the past year ffncluding a balance
of one shilling from the previous year) annotated to 1:52
9s, and the expenditure to £56 7s 3d ; leaving a balance
of £3 18s 3d due to the secretary. This condition of the
finances is due to the increased coot cf fuel during the
last two years, and to the met that the Soiree was not in
pocuniary sense BO successful as usual. The committee
trust that the efforts to alter this position of our !nude,
which were made at the close of the year, will have the
desired effect on the next balance-sheet.

The number of members on the books is 110, being an
increase of 12 on the previous year.
The reading room has been very well attended during
the year. The following papers and periodicals are sup-
plied :—Times, Daily News, Daily Post, Daily Gazette,
Worcester Journal, Advertiser, Stourbridge Observer,
Illustrated London News, Literary World, English Me-
chanic, Punch, Judy, Leisure Hour, and Family Herald.
Some of these are kindly presented to the Institute by
proprietors and others.
The chess roam has been well attended. Two chess
-matcues have been played with the Stourbridge Church
of England Associatien, in which we were unfortunately
losers.

The Committee have much pleasure in referring to the
improvements mode in the library daring the year.
through the liberality of the late president, J. W. Aston,
Esq , who gave £5 ; F. Evers, Esq., and O. K. Harrison,
Esq., who each gave £3 3s; with a sum of £.5 1.6 s collec-
ted from the meurbers, and a grant of £l2 by Rebecca
Hussey's Charity, books to the value of £2B were added
to the. library, and a new bookcase provided for them.
This has largely increased the circulation, which is con-
siderably greater at the present than at any previous
period. The number of books added is 140, and the
total number now in the library is 740. The Commis-
sioners of Patents have famished us with a useful Refer.
ence Library, comprising the :Abstracts of Patents from
the passing of the Patent Laws to the present time.
There is little doubt but that the:increased:number of
books which the Institute now possesses will do much
not only to increase the number of members, but also a
taste for reading amongst them.
Since the last report the Institute has lost a great friend
in the death of its president. J. W. Aston, Esq., who
was always ready to help on its work, both with his
money and advice.
Although the past year's results are not all that could
be wished, the Institute, in comparison with former
years, has certainly not gone back. If we may be
allowed to judge of the future by the interest DOA bo.
ginning to be ebewn by the members, it will not be long
before it begins to do the amount of work and reaches
the position assigned it by its founders.

The Chairman said most of those present had
attended meetings of that kind before, and they
would be better able to judge whether the report
was a satisfactory one, than himself. They must
feel a certain amount of interest in the welfare of
that institution, or else they would not be there.
He considered it a great boon to the working men
of the neighbourhood that they could come there
and read a variety of papers, and glean from them
the news of the day, at such little cost. He must
admit, however, that if he had anything to do with
it he would make it a little higher, as he thought
the present subscription was too low to pay ex-
penses. It must be a great advantage for men to
be able to come there and read the papers instead
of being compelled to go to a public-house and
spend their money. He thought when they came
to consider this, they would not object to paying
a slight increase on the sum at present paid. No
doubt the price of coal had militated greatly
against the financial success of the institution
during the past year; but in the future the price
of coal would be less and the success would be
greater. This was the first time he had had the
pleasure of seeing them; but he hoped it would
not be the last. He was now come to live amongst
them, and would be able to see them oftener, and
would, therefore, feel a deeper in thei institute.
He was very much obliged to them for supporting
him in the way they had. He would not detain
them any longer as there was an excellent pro-
gramme to be gone through.
Mr. S. A. Brooks said as soon as he came into
the room he had a small piece of paper put into
his hands, asking him to move the adoption of the
report which they had just heard read. Although
there were a few things in that report which they
might wish had been different, there were others
which ought to give them pleasure. The gentle-
man occupying the chair was one of the largest
employers of labour in the place, and it must give
them great pleasure to have him amongst them.
There was always a decided cause for regret in the
fact that there were so few classes carried on in
connection with that institute. He thought it was
a most important thing that every young man
should:have a course of study, so as to supplement
any deficiency in his education. The reading
room had been well attended. That was certainly
giving them education, besides giving them infor-
mation on all the topics of the day, which must be
a great advantage. But, independent of this, he
thought they ought to have some course of study
to engage their attention and improve their minds.
There were many classes of study which they
might find very useful, without being irksome.
For instance, it they took up the history of their
own country, they would find that both pleasure
and profit would be derived from the perusal of it.
He had great pleasure in moving the adoption of
the report.
Mr. Scott said he would not detain them more
than one moment; but he felt it a great compli-
ment to be asked to second that resolution. He
was one of the oldest subscribers of that institute,
and had tried to get up lectures there. He was
pleased to see they had such an able chairman
there that evening as Mr. Hickman. With refer-
ence to what Kr. Brooks had said about classes,
he 17118 decidedly of the same opinion as that gen-
tleman, and thought they would find it to their
advantage to have some young men's classes. It
had been suggested that they should study the
history of their own country. That was a very
desirable thing to do, and to prevent it from be-
coming tedious, they might vary their work by
playing chess one week and studying another. He
would conclude by seconding the adoption of the
report.
The Chairman then put the motion, and it was
carried unanimously.
Mr. W. Perry moved a vote o thanks to the
honorary members of the institution, for their sup-
port; and also to Mr. G. K. Harrison for his kind-
ness in supplying the institution with water.
This was seconded by Mr. Stringer, and carried.
The Rev. A. Wright moved a vote of thanks to
the ladies and gentlemen who were about to take
part in the entertainment He thought thei-

thanks were especially due to them, for had it not
been for the inducement thus offered, he was of
opinion there would not have been such a large
meeting there that evening. He, for one, could
hardly make up his mind to come there, until a
glance at the excellent programme provided, at
once decided him.

Mr. E. Brooks seconded the motion, which was,
of course cordially carried, on being put to the
meeting.
A vote of thanks was also accorded to the chair-
man, and responded 10 by him.
The following programme, wit., a slight varia-
tion, was then gone through :—Song, Mr. Macmil-
lan, " True to the last ;" flute solo, Mr. H. King:
song, Master H. Mobberley, "Shy Robin ;" vocal
duet, Misses Bourne; piano solo, Mr. T. Rhodes;
song,'" Sing, sweet Bird ;Miss Bourne; song, "In
sheltered Vale,' Mr. Priddy. Part 2. Vocal duet,
"List dearest, list," Misses Bourne • song, "The
Stirrup Cup," Mr. Priddy; flute solo, Mr. IL King;
song, "Break it gently to my mother," Master H.
Mobberley ; song, "When we are Old and Grey,"
Miss Bourne; piano solo, Mr. T. Rhodes; song,
"Could I live mxtitue over again."

Miss Pashley was set down in the programme
for two songs, but was unable to be present through
illness, and a song was sung by Miss Bourne (who
kindly volunteered to do so) in her place. It is not
necessary for us to enter into any detailed descrip-
tion of manner in which the various pieces were
rendered. The singing of the Misses Bourne and
the flute playing of Mr. H. King are RO well
known that comment from us would be superflu-
OWL The performances of both the Misses
Bourne and Mr. King were thoroughly appreciated,
and they had to respond to the encores which were
enthusiastically demanded. It is the first time
that we have had the pleasure of listening to the
singing of Master H. Mobberley. This young
gentleman possesses a nice alto voice, and rendered
the songs allotted to him in a very creditable
manner. He was tremendously applauded, and
had to respond to the encore which was universally
demanded. The rest of the performers also acquit-
ted themselves creditably, and the entertainment
afforded considerable gratification to those pre
-
present.