The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-01-20 00:00:00

gocat anti istrict Xtetus.

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
ASSOCIATED INSTITUTES.

The annual meeting of the above Institutions
was held in the Lecture Room, on Monday
evening. Previous to the amalgamated meeting
the Mechanics held their preliminary one at
seven o'clock. The Rev. D. Msginnis occupied
the chair, and among those present were Messrs.
H. Hughes, J. T Muckley, J Taylor, C. Evers,
J. Barrett, G. Burton, J. Pagett, SLc.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Secretary,
reed the report for the past year, which was as
follows :

BTOURISRIDGE MECHANICS INSTITUTION.

REPORT }OR IS7I.

MEMEERS.—The number of members during the past
year woo as follows: 39 annual and 60 quarterly, making
a total of 99; being a decrease of three on the last
report.
FIOANC6.—It is with pleasure your Committee find
that a balance of £24 2a 41 stands in the treasurer's
hands to bo carried forward to next yesr. The accounts
stand thus: balance brought forward from last account
£27 13s Id ; received during the year, £l6 fis Id; ex-
pended, .£49 159 10d ; amount carried 1 ,rward to next
year, £24 2a 4d. Details of the account are annexed to
this report.
• •

READING Room.--The following newspapers and peri-
odicals have been taken during the year :—Dailies : The
Times, Standard, Daily News, PAU Mall Gazette, Bir-
mingham Daily Post, Birmingham Daily Gazette, and
Birmingham Morning News. Weeklies: Illustrated
London News, The Graphic, Iliustrated Times, Punch,
Fan, Judy, Saturday it-view. Worcester Herald, Birming-
ham Journal, and Laud and Water. Also the following
periodicals: Art Journal. Westminster Beview. Black-
wood, Cornhill, Macmillan'a and the Crentleman's Maga.
sine., All the Year Bound, and Chambers' Journal.
Your Committee beg to tender their thanks to Die pro-
prietors of the Worcestershire Chronicle, the Midland
Counties' Herald, the Advertiser and the Observer, for
their continued kindness in supplying the Institution
with their papers gratuitously ; also to Mr. Charles Bea-
vington. for the Herald of Peace.
LIBRADV.—Your Committee hare to report that several
new works have been added to the Library daring the
past year. The issue of books has been 1540, being a
slight increase on last report.
- • --

•
C LASEES.—Au Elementary Class was carried on by Mr.
Eastlake during the early montha of the year. A class
for the study of English Literature was also in operation
during part of the year, conducted by Mr. Scott, but
owing to Mr. Scott's being called away, this class was
discontinued sooner than it would otherwise have been.
Your Committee have peculiar satisfaction in referring
to the recent formation of epochs! classes (open to male
sod female students) for the study of Latin, French,
Mathematics, and English Literature. A class for the
study of political economy is contemplated, and your
Committee hope will be formed at some future date
These classes, which are under the direction of a special
committee, representing the several institutes and kin.
dred societies in the district, are directly connected with
U. South Stafrorshire Association, and are conducted by
the following gentlemen :—Rev. H. Sherrard, Latin;
Mons. de Vit, French; J. C. A. Scott, Esq., Mathema-
tic.; J. B. Shepherd, Esq., English Literature. The
classes are open not only to members of the various edu.
cational institutes of the town and neighbourhood, but
also to any persons wishing to join them, upon payment
of a slightly increased fee.
PENNY BANK. —Your Committee learn with pleasure i
from the last printed report of the Penny Bank, that the •
. number of depositors during the past year was about
700 and the amount received was £305 17s Id, and re-
paid, £3Ol 14* Id ; and a balance of £l3l 17s tid was
then standing to the credit of the depositors.
I M ISCELLANEOUS.—Your Committee have to report that
I Mr. A. Trollope lectured for the Associated Institute on
the 20th of January. The lecture was well attended, and
was satisfactory in its pecuniary results. A miscellant •
ous entertainment was given on the 20th of November,
which resulted in a very handsome profit to the funds of
the Associated Institute. Your Committee beg to ex-
press their thanks to those lanes and gentlemen who
. gave their services on that occa,ion, and more especiAly
to Mr. and Mrs. Fennell, and to Mr. James Mathews. A
deputation attended as usual the annual meeting of the
South Staffordshire Association, held at Wedneabury, ou
the 23rd October. Your Committee, as a matter of re-
cord, beg to state that the reading room was re-papered.
whitened, and thoroughly cleaned daring the spring.

OFFICERS.—The following are the officers for the pre.
sent year. President: The Right Hon. Lord Lytteltoa
Vice• Presidents : W. 0. Foster, Eeq., 11. W. Foley, Esq ,
B. Brooks, Esq., U. K. Harrison, Esq , Henry Hughes,
Esq., Rev. J. Richards, Rev. D. Magiums, F. Evers, Esq ,
J. C. A. Scutt, Esq ,E. B. Marten, Esq. Committee:
Messrs. J. Pagett, J. Buckler, 0. Burton, E. Blurton, J.
F. Muckley, W. Squires, S. James, k. Smith, W. Thom-
son, Rev. D. Jones. Treasurer: John Taylor. Secre-
taries : C. Evers and E. Brae‘er.—The president. vice.
presidents, treasurer, and secretaries are members of the
committee ex-oficio.

Mr. Brazier proposed. and Mr. Pagett sec-
onded the adoption of the report and treasurer's
statement.
In answer to a question from one of the mem-
bers, Mr. Taylor stated that the numbers attend•
jog the different classes ranged from six to six•
teen. The French class was better attended
than any other, and additions were still beinlf
made to the names on the cl‘ss
The members then adjourned to the lecture
room, where the amalgamated meeting was
held. Lord Lyttelton prosided,„and called upon
Mr. C. Evers to read the above report of the
Mechanics' Institute.
Mr. T. S. Brown, President of the Working
Men's Institute, then read the report of that as-
sociation for the past year, which was as fol-
lows: