NELSON INSTITUTE. 



Annual Eeport. 



The reoeipts from members' subscriptions amounted to £170 6s. 6d.. 

 as against £175 5s. for the year 1906, and £186 for the year 1905 ; the 

 rents of reserve, £58 3s.; Government subsidy, £17 Is. 2d.; and miscel- 

 laneous receipts, £1 : making a total income for the year 1907 of £246 

 10s. 8d., as against £249 8s. for 1906, and £285 lis. 3d. for the year 1905, 

 thus showing a considerable falling-off in revenue during the past two 

 years. The number of subscribers to the library for the year 1907 has 

 been 198, 134 of whom were annual members, 27 half-yearly, and 37 

 quarterly ; total, 198, as against 212 in 1906, and 210 in 1905. 



New books to the number of 319 volumes have been added to the 

 library during the past year, a very much larger number than in previous 

 years. The sum of £75 10s. has been expended on new books, periodicals, 

 and newspapers during the year. The total number of books now in the 

 library is 8,540. 



Twelve ladies and gentlemen were elected at the last annual meeting 

 as an Advisory Building Committee to co-operate with the Institute Com- 

 mittee in the matter of erection of a new library building. 



A number of meetings have been held during the past year and plans 

 and proposals discussed, but no definite result has so far ensued. 



Your committee have to record with very great regret the resignation 

 of Mr. Eedgrave as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, a position he held 

 for over thirteen years, and during which period he rendered very valuable 

 services to the Institute. Mr. G. C. Gilbert has been appointed to act as 

 his successor. 



Under the auspices of the scientific branch, a most interesting lecture 

 was recently given by Dr. Marshall on the subject of " The Mountains of 

 New Zealand," but no other meetings have been held. The Museum 

 still remains closed, and is not likely to be opened until a new Institute 

 is built. The Atkinson Observatory has been opened periodically, and 

 has been well patronised by the public. Dr. Cockayne has been re- 

 elected as our representative on the governing body of the New Zealand 

 Institute. 



