The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-03-09 00:00:00

ANNUAL SOIREE AT THE LYE
INSTITUTE.

The annual tea meeting and soiree in connection with
the above Institute was held at the Lye, ou Monday even
tog. After tea the chair was occupied by Mr. U. K.
Harrison, and there was a very large attendance.
The Chairman .aid be had received letters of.apology
from the blowing gentlemen : The MOD. C. O. Lyttelion.
M.P., R. P. Amphleit, Eq., M.P., the Hon. and Rev. W
H. I ytteiton, the Rev. 1). Robertson, the Rev. T. Parker,
and Dr. Mal Ms. All of three gentlemen expensed thei,
regret at Lot being able to attend, but uttered their war-
went sympathy for the saner., of the Institute. He
thought I uetnutes like the preeent were of great Le nal
to the people of the district, and he streLuously
upon those present who were not wet:amid to joie at
once and obtain all the lenruiug they coull, for ne was
sure they would !egret it very much some time Or other,
-1 they missed the opportunity of learning Mans they
sad the chance. Alter mune other remarks, the et air-
man celled 4pou Mr. Ansou to read the tmlowieg repoit
of the Aesociatiou
" JO-FORT Ob' THE LYE INSTITUTE bolt TUE
YEAR hISDIbill DEC. Star, 1571. •
In presenting our report for the past year, I will b.
brief. 'there has been a slight decrease in the jan bet
of members of the Institute, the averege of I.st year
being Ai, this year 66. Though a deciease on lust year,
it is an increase on former years, and we are ph lined to
say there is a decided imprmement iii the Lumber of
members this quarter. It is wito regret we have to rotor
to the death of the Rev. R. L. Yorke,one of out eubscri.
bees and most hearty friend..
The income for the year, including a balance of £lO
lls 11d, brought forward, amounts to tid, and the
expenditure to £37 17s 21d ; leaving only a balance of
lis 31,1 to be carried to thin year. This, your committee
, regrets, as they were unable to keep it, for we have hail
no picnic hint year, being unable to procure ground, mid
it is one of those artificial props which last year realised
£l4, which was considerably more than the surplus of
last year. And this brings me to the great grievance of
the Institute, ant that was the room we are at present in,
for your Committee believe that if this room weie en-
larged and wade suitable for a public meeting or concert,
it would then at least give us another string to our bow,
and make us independent of the picnic, the succese of
which has always depended upon tine weather, and the
difficulty to arrange it has yearly increased on account of
the ground.
" The reading room has been well attended during the
past year. It was supplied with the following news-
papers :—Times, Daily News, Daily Post, Daily Duette,
illustrated London News, Llustrated Times lentil its
stoppage), Alliance, Punch, Judy, Advertiser, County
Express, kitoOrbridge Observer, Worcester Journal, and
several periodicals. The chess and conversation room
has been well attended.
"The library has been extensively used, the number
issued being 9,000, again proving the need for extension.
Your Committee still subscribe to the Working Men's
Club and Institute Union, from whom we can have thirty
vols, of books every three months. We have not been
able to form any classes, but several of our members
joined the classes at Stourbridge in connection with the
South Staffordshire Auocistion. We have only had one
lecture by Bedley Taylor, Esq., on the science of sound,
which was most interesting and instractive, but was
thinly attended, mainly owing to the bad weather.
" the following is a list of subscriptions and donations
for the year :—Mrs. T. Wood, El ls . Hon. C. 0. Lyttel.
ion, £1; Mr. R. P. Amphlett, ; Mr. J. W. Aston, El
N ; Mr. T. H. Pargeter, £1; Rev. R. L. Yorke, El.
"In COUCIUSIOD, your Committee have to thank Mr. O.
K. Harrison for supplying the Institute with water; Mr.
J. W. Aston, for has promise of £5, and for eupplying us
with the Engineer and Public Opinion, and to the pro.
prietora of the Worscester Journal, Stourbridge Obser-
ver, and Express, for the gift of their papers, and to
those honourable members and friends for their subscrip.
Sons and donations, which enable us to meet the current
expenses."
Air. W. H, King moved the adoption of the report, and
in doing so coincided with the remarks the Chairman
had been making, and urged tipon the members to read
good standard works.
Dr. Df lOU said he had been requested to second the
report, and he did so with much satisfaction and plea.
core.
Mr. A. Freer moved that a vote of thanks be given to
Mr. G. K. Harrison, for supplying the institution with
water.
This was seconded by Mr. 8. Brooks.
me. S. Lloyd proposed, and Mr. H. Perry seconded
vote of 1.11411118 to too Chairman, who briefly responded
to it, and the 101 l 'wing excellent programme was gram
through in such a manner teat we have no hesitation in
proneuuridg it the best that bee been given in that
room, and great credit is due to Mr. A. R. Fisher, for the
admiraele way in which he got up the musical part of the
entertainment.
Pew . Part Bong, "The Dawn of Day ;" song
—" Weep not, fond heart," Mr. Owen Davis; pianoforte
duet—eelections from "Martha," Miss and Mr. A., E.
Fisher; sung—'• Once again," Miss Fidler; vocal duet
—from" Norma," Miss Bourne and Hiss Fisher; violin
solo—Mr. A. E. Fisher; song-- There's nothing like a
freshhing breeze," Mr. F. A. Fisher; trio—from the
"May Queen," Miss arid Mr. F. A. Fisher and Mr. Davis;
pianoforte duet—selections from "La Sonnambula,"
Miss and Mr. A. E. Fisher; song—A. The loves end the