LYTTELTON COLONISTS’ SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 421, 18 October 1875, Page 4

LYTTELTON COLONISTS’ SOCIETY.

The committee met at 6.45 p.m, on Thursday. A draft report was read and approved by the committee. An adjournment was then made to the reading room, where the annual meeting for members of society to elect officers and a committee for the ensuing year was held. Mr J. C. Boddington said he thought that the names of those proposed as officers and members of committee should be posted a( least a week before the election took place on some conspicuous place in the institution. . The president said this would involve an alteration of the rules, and a notice of motion must be given. Mr Boddington stated his intention of giving notice of motion to this effect. The annual report was read. The balance sheet was then read, showing there was a balance in hand of £394 6s 9d. The auditors’ report was next read. The adoption of the report and balance sheet was proposed and accepted on the motion of the president, seconded by Dr McDonald. The auditors’ report, on the motion of Mr Fyfe, seconded by Dr Rouse, was recommended for the consideration of the committee. Mr Boddington moved, in the absence of Mr H. N. Nalder, that rule 3 be altered. The object was to exclude boys, who were as a rule very noisy, from using the reading room without paying full subscriptions. This was seconded by Mr Joyce. After some discussion, the chairman ruled that the matter was out of order, and could not be discussed. Mr Boddington moved, and Mr Fyfe seconded—'“ That Dr Rouse and Mr Joyce be appointed scrutineers.” Carried. The election of officers then took place, Dr Rouse being elected president, Mr H. N. Nalder vice-president, Mr Joyce hon treasurer, and Mi C. A. Rich hon secretary.

A ballot for twelve committee men was taken, and Messrs Cunningham, Edge, Webb, Boddington, Jacobson, F. Graham, Allwright, Phillips, Gibson, Little, McDonald, and J. G. Fyfe, were elected. Dr Rouse then took the chair.

Mr J. Little proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring officers, which Mr F. Graham seconded. Carried unanimously. Mr H. Allwright, the retiring president, in returning thanks, said that he certainly, during the past year, had not felt as interested in the institution as formerly. His only excuse for this was that the institution was not conducted in the manner it ought to be. He hoped that, during the coming year, members would be more independent and institute reforms. He himself would take part in moving these reforms now he had left the chair. He had only refrained from doing so hitherto, in consequence of being their chairman. He was glad that the year was over, in order that he might resign the presidentship, as it had given him much trouble; a great deal more than any other position he had occupied. He thought they owed a vote of thanks to those who had assisted at the winter evening readings, and there was one gentleman who deserved particular praise, as he had taken a very great deal of trouble in arranging seats, taking tickets, &c. He alluded to Mr Hobbs,

Mr Edge seconded this, and it was carried. Mr W. Graham agreed with what had fallen from Mr H. Allwright. The manner in which things were allowed to go on was very discouraging, and several alterations were greatly needed, Mr Boddington asked whose duty it was to see notices of motion posted up. The hon sec repbedthat he believed it was the hon sec’s duty, but that the proposer had first to write them out and hand them to him. The meeting then adjourned.