The annual meeting of the subscribers to the Carlisle School of Art was held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening last.

The gentlemen present were:

MR. R. FERGUSON
MR. A. DAVIDSON,
MR. R. NORMAN
MR. J. IRVING
MR. NELSON
MR. R. CREIGHTON
MR. T. T. RAILTON
MR. HANNAH
MR. STEEL
MR. I. CARTMELL
MR. BROWNE, (barrister-as-law)
MR. T. WRIGHT
MR. FAIRLIE
MR. W. J. FAIRLIE
MR. BROOKE (master)
MR. D. MCALPIN (honorary secretary)

MR. ROBERT NORMAN was called to the chair.

THE CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings by calling upon the secretary to read the report and statement of accounts.

MR. D. MCALPIN then read the report as follows:

"REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS, HELD AT THE TOWN HALL,
                                                ON TUESDAY, THE 27TH OF NOVEMBER, 1855"

In September, 1854, MR. ALFRED NEWTON BROOKE, upon the recommendation of the Government Department of Science and Art, was appointed master of the school by your Committee.  The school was opened in October, under his superintendence, and has been since in operation.  Your Committee rented a room in Finkle Street for the Central School, and at considerable expense adapted it to the purpose.

The preliminary expenses necessarily incurred in the alteration and fitting up of the room and in the purchase of models and examples, considerably exceeded the sum estimated when the first subscription was closed.  A subscription has been commenced for the purpose of paying them, and the Committee confidently anticipate that the required amount will be raised.

In accordance with the resolution at a previous meeting, your Committee prepared rules for the government of the institution, which were submitted to a meeting of subscribers held on the 5th June last, and unanimously adopted.

The average number of students at the Central School of Art during the past year has been 59.

The progress of the pupils has been satisfactory.  Medals have been awarded to two of the pupils ... JOSEPH GORDON and HENRY NANSON ... one for geometrical drawing, the other for design.  One pupil teachership and one free studentship have been allotted to the school.  JOSEPH PICKERING was appointed to the former, which entitles him to £5 a year for two years, and JAMES BARCLAY was appointed to the other.   For each pupil teachership and each free studentship, the master reserves £4 from the department, and £1 a years is paid towards the general funds of the institution.

The following public and private schools availed themselves of the services of the master, viz:......................

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The British School..........Boys 30, Girls 20, Total 50
Fawcett School..............Boys 25, Girls 20, Total  45
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Head School..................Boys 50------------------------------
MR. HANNAH's School...Boys 45, Girls 25, Total   70
George Street School....Boys  - , Girls 26, Total   26

Since June last the Shaddon Works School has been attended by the master.

In November, an exhibition was held at the Central School, of drawings and painting executed by students of the school, which was visited by above 2,000 persons.

Your Committee have pleasure in reporting that the artizan class has been very successful.  They regret that the morning classes have, so far, not succeeded satisfactorily.  The only reason they can assign for this is that the public are not sufficiently acquainted with the advantages of which they might avail themselves.  They trust that the subscribers, and all persons interested in the success of the school, will exert themselves to procure pupils to attend those classes.

Your Committee in conclusion, wish to express their decided opinion as to the usefulness of this and similar institutions.  A knowledge of drawing art cannot fail to elevate and improve.  To artizans in many branches of our manufactures and business, the acquirement of that knowledge is absolutely necessary to enable them efficiently to execute their work.  To all classes, it is a delightful and useful accomplishment.

MR. W. J. BLACKLOCK, one of the Committee resigned;  the other retiring members ascertained by ballot are:

T. T. RAILTON
EDWARD MCGIBBON
DANIEL MCALPIN
THOMAS NELSON
DAVID BLAIN
JOHN IRVING
THOMAS WRIGHT.

They are eligible for re-election
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**After this, there followed an extremely long financial report; then an extremely long "back and forth" between the above named people giving their opinions on the school; discussing how to pay the bills, etc.**
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THE CHAIRMAN said the institution had his good wishes, and he felt very much gratified by what it had done already.  He thought the number of pupils would increase;  indeed, since the exhibition, he had met two or three parties who had told him they intended to send their children.

He had not the least doubt that by a little exertion, a sufficient amount could be raised to liquidate the debt, and he would have no objection to assist any of his friends in making a personal canvass.  When they were once clear of debt, the institution would go on prosperously.

The meeting then broke up, at eight o'clock.

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