THE N.Z. SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1220, 31 August 1911, Page 5

THE N.Z. SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS.

■ « ANNUAL MEETING, Tho annual meeting of tho New Zealand Society of .Accountants was held last evening in tho Chamber of Commerce Rooms. Mr. Peter Harr (Duncdin) presided. Delegates were present from all parts of Aew Zealand to tho number of about onq hundred. In moving tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet, tho president (Mr iSnrr) said that he had tho utmost pleasuro 111 emphasising what ho said at tho last annual meeting as to tho cordial relationship then existing between membors of tho council, and added that they had continued without interruption throughout tho year. Tho membership at present was 2142. It was worth noting that this largo membership roll has now been classified into 413 public and 1729 registered accountants, showing th.it tho registered accountants comprised over ■SO per cent, of the 'total. Tho record entry at the first examination of tho society proved that tho young men of tho Dominion recognised it as a necessary stepping-.sloue towards. progress and success in tho commercial world. Of tho 314 presenting themselves, approximately one-third failed, one-third secured lli'o necessary 45 per cent, in four subjects for an iiUormediato pass, and one-third 'secured tho necessary 45 per cent, in four subjects for nn intermediate pass, and one-third.passed tho final. In connection with the examination, n very unpleasant duty was thrown upon the council of having, on the complaint of one of the oxaminors, to conduct a searching inquiry into a charge of dishonourable eomlnet on the part of a candidate, and thev had had no, heutation in visiting tho offence, which was considered clearly proved, with severe punishment, lieferr'ing to tho arrangements for tho future conduct of its examinations by the University of Now Zealand in connection with the dpgrcn of Dachelor of Commerce, the president reiterated |ho opinion already expressed that the proposals marked tho most important development in connection with accountancy examinations in the British Empire. Ho had noticed tliat in the University of Otago Hill, just introduced, by tho lion. George Fowlds, proviyion was made for the representation of the Education Hoard, the City Council, and oilier bodies on tho University Council, and he suggested that provision should be made on this and tho other University Councils for a, representative of this society. (Applause.) Tho . society was not only a body created under an Act of Parliament, with, :\ lnrge membership, but it was distinctly an edu'eutivo body, nud ono which would in future bo in close touch with the Uni-. versity in connection with its examination, and it would therefore bo an excel- - lent thing if through its council it had tho right to nominate a representative oil each of the University Councils. Their arrangements had not yet been completed in connection with tho appointment of lecturers at the several University Colleges. The whole matter, however,'would be gone into by tho council. He proceeded to congratulate Messrs. Seaman, Head, and Falconer (of Wellington) on being the first to gain the society's prizes for positions of honour at tho examinations.

seconding the adoption Mr. H. C. lowsloy (Wellington) spoko in complimentary terms of the .address of the President, which in its comprehensiveness typified the care and attention Mr. Ban , had given during the year to tho work of the society. He referred to the work necessary in the future and characterised tho society as being on n thoroughly' sound foundation, and an institution-sec-ond to none in the Umpire. (Applause.) In the course of further discussion Mr. Georgeßrown (Duncdin) spoke with much enthusiasm and hopo for tho future Mr. 11. Shaw (Auckland) referred to tha success of tho society us largely due to the president and his untiring energy and ability. Mr. W. A. Gilliy (Canterbury) advocated an examination for junior students who had just completed their secondary courso of education.

After lengthy discussion tho report-Mid balance-sheet were adopted. . ' It was decided that tho president's address be printed. The scrutineers appointed for the election of the council , for the ensuing year reported tho results as follow:—Canter-bury-Messrs, G. W. Hulme and W. E. Best; Mnrlboi'oußh-Nelson-'Wes.tlaml—Mr. W. S. Hampson; Poverty Bav—Jlr. A, G. Beere; Wellington—Messrs. A. T, Clarke, ■T. S. Bartiin, and H. C. Tcwslcy. Jn tho other districts there was no competition. .Mr. William Jack (Wellington) moved that Regulation 12? (dealing with the matter of proxies) bo amended to alter the methods of proxy voting. Mr. Shaw (Auckland) admired Mr. Jack's persistency in bringing this matter up each year, but ho would move that (lie motion be considered two years hone*. This, he declared, amidst: laughter, would givo tho matter, and Mr. Jack, also, a rest.

The amendment was lost, and tho motion, also, was lost by HI to 2).

The chairman, at tho conclusion of the meeting, pointed out that twenty dolepates were present from outside of Wellington. This showed the extent of tho society's ramifications and iU importance. A vole of thanks was passed to tho prosident, and council of tho society. A number of inembcrs spoke in a congratulatory, strain of the president and council, and (ho motion was carried with applause. A vote of thanks was also passed to tho secretary, lion, treasure.! , , sorulinens, ■imi other officers. The council will sit to-day and transact a quantity of business, including the election of tho president and vice-presidents,