|
Not affecting the point now at issue,
Messrs Jardine, Matheson,
and Ryrie are referred to
as legatees or trustees.
The building was
erected by subscription ($100,000) and the institution has been managed by
a Committee of
subscribers or Shareholders.
The only trustee or legatee remaining in the Colony is
Mr Price,
who was at one time a member of the
Committee and Treasurer of the Committee,
but has recently withdrawn from the Committee.
In 1869 an annual vote of $1200 for the Librarian and Curator
was commenced and the question is whether the vote shall be continued and to whom it should be paid.
First as to the continuance of the vote:
The allowance does not appear to have been originally voted and paid
upon any further condition than that
the public should be admitted free.
I gather the place was closed on Sundays, which are
not mentioned.
The public appear to have
been admitted free accordingly. But
since 1875, when the Chinese began to attend in great numbers, the Committee have reserved the morning for Chinese and the afternoons for Europeans, with a short interval
in the preparation for cleaning.
The ostensible reason being that a crowd of Asiatics make a room unpleasant for Europeans. No charge, however,
has been made for admission. Sir J.P. Hennessy
being
dissatisfied with what he was pleased to call this invidious distinction and until it shall be withdrawn has not only refused to place
the matter again on the Estimative but has suspended payment of the second half-yearly
instalment on account of the money
actually appropriated for 1879.
Dec. 30, 1880
Page 8