ROAD BOARD CONFERENCE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1362, 26 June 1878, Page 2

ROAD BOARD CONFERENCE.

A conference of representatives of various Rjad Boards, with reference to the delay of the Government in paying over the shiie of the land fund du-i to tho hoad Boards, was held at Kadcliffe's Hotel to day. The following srentlemen were prrsent : Hon. Jchn Hall (Eakaia), Hon. Colonel Brett (Couvtenay), lion. K. Gray (Halswell), Messrs (Oust), Pery;aan (Lincoln), Mnekia (oouth Eakaia), Captain Parker (Malvern), A.. B. Saiitli (Mount Cook), J. L. Wilson'(Avon), Taylor ai d B.iiley (Templeton-, Kencie (Eilesmcre). Attwood (He-itheote). On the motion of the Hon. Co'onel Brett, Mr J. L. Wilson was voted to the chair. The Chairman said those present were no doubt aware of the object of their meeiint; there that day. The Board'with which he connected had is>ued a circular to the various Road Boards, which had been published. [R«ad J The various Boards werj ami us of course to receive their shire of the land revenue, but from what they hid seen it soerncl that the Government was either irning to take it altogether, or to deal with the Road Boards as niggardly as they could do. Under circumstances it would be necessary for the Road Boards to

stand up for their rights. If they did not do so they would find that they would very quickly lose everything. It was therefore thought necessary that the representatives of the various Boards should meet together and enter their protest against the action of the Government in the matter of the land fund. The Board with which he was connected had therefore deemed it advisable to issue invitations to the Eoad Boards, and the result was that meeting. Last year he might say that the Government had gent up to the Eoad Boards asking them to send suggestions for the amendment of the Eoad Board Act. and the Avon Board had sent up several. For some reason, however, these sug gestions were shelved, and nothing was done with them. It might be as well, after the business for which they were convened specially had been despatched, for the conference' to consider several subjects of importance to Eoad Boards throughout the provincial district, which might be forwarded as suggestions to the Government to be carried into effect next session. He would now call upon the Hon. Colonel Brett to move the first resolution.

Hon. Colonel Brett said, as the representative of the Courtenay Eoad Board, he had been requested to attend at that meeting. He might say that his Board were completely in accord with the promoters of that meeting, and felt that a very greatVinjustice had been done to the Eoad Boards. [Hear, hear.] He had much pleasure in moving a resolution on the subject, in which his Board entirely concurred, which was as follows: — " That in the opinion of this meeting of representatives of Eoad Boards within the County of Selwyn the retention by the Government of the balance of the land fund to 31st December last, which the law required them to pay over on 30th March last, is an illegal and arbitrary proceeding, against which this meeting energetically protests, and which should in its opinion be resisted by every possible means." Mr Mackie seconded the resolution.

Mr Higgins said he would suggest an altera tion, as the resolution said that it was confined to Eoad Boards within the County of Selwyn. If this was intentional, he would of course have no status. The other Riad Boards were as interested in the matter as those wit Lin the Selwyn County. The Chairman said that it was an oversight omitting to invite the representatives of Eoad Boards outside the County of Selwyn. It was the intention of the promoters to have all the chairmen of Eoad Boards present, but the time had been so short that they had had no time to alter the circular. Of course it would be for the conference to invito the co-operation of other Boards.

Hon. John Hall suggested that the words " within the provincial district of Canterbury" be inserted.

The Chairman said that he would alter the resolution as suggested. The Chairman read a letter from Mr McIlraith, chairman of the South Malvern Boad Board, advising an adjournment of the meeting, because the Government had now agreed to pay over the money, and until they knew what deductions, if any, were going to be made, he thought the conference would be working in the dark. He fully sympathised with the object of the meeting, but he would fer the reasons he had given suggest that the conference should be adjourned until they had an official communication from the Government. The Chairman also read the following letter from the chairman of the Eiccarton Eoad Board to the Colonial Treasurer :

Eiccarton Eoad Board Office, June 13th, 1878.

Sir,—l have the honor, by direction of the Eiccarton Eoad Board, to communicate with you in reference to the payment of the balance of the land fund, which became due on the 31st March last. The Eiccarton Eoad Board being aware of the large receipts from the Canterbury land fund, and relying 1 on a share of such receipts to the date at which the laud fund was made colonial revenue (31st December, 1877), has undertaken large works and entered into contracts which otherwise it would not have done. By the clause inserted by the General Assembly in the Public Revenues Act, 1877, it is clear that a very large sum became due to the local bodies on the above date which should have been paid to them on the 31st March last. I have therefore most respectfully to request that the Government will take immediate steps for handing over to this Board the full amount accruing in respect of land fund to 31st December, 1877, and by law due and payable in i inety days thereafter. I have, &c, H. J. Hall, Chairman.

Hon. Colonial Treasurer. Hon- Ernest Gray asked whether any of the Boards had received notification from the Government as to the payment of the money. Mr Perryman, chairman of the Lincoln Road Board, said he had received the following letter from the Government as to the payment of their share of the land fund: — Wellington, 21th June. Sir,—l have the honor by the direction of tho Hon. Colonial Treasurer to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst., conveying a resolution of the Lincoln Eoad Board, soliciting early payment of the Board's share of the land revenue of the provincial district of Canterbury accrued at 31st December last. In reply I am to inform you that the sums payable to Eoad Boards in tho county of Selwyn will be credited to the county fund account of that county, and from thence distributed to the Eoad Board before the end of the current month. I have, &c, C. T. Batkin.

Col. Brett said they had also received a letter to the same effect as that read by Mr Peryman, though it was somewhat move vague. It said that the land fund would be divided " presently," and that the amount due to this Board would be remitted. He might say that he understood that the Government intended to make great deductions from the ,£315,000. It was necessary therefore for them to protest against any such deductions. [Hear, hear.] Mr Higgins desired to know what it was the meeting could do. If the Government kept back a portion of the money, how could they compel them to pay it. They did not know indeed that the Government intended to keep back any. He had been informed that his Board would receive tre sum due to them before the end of the month. Would it not, therefore, be well to stay any action ? It was very likely the Government would keep the money back. They had it in their hands, and wanted it very much. But it seemed to him that unless they had certain information as to what was going to be done they would be fighting what did not exist. Hon. John Hall said he agreed with Mr Higgins to some extent, but he desired to point onf that the resolution did not pledge the meeting to fight the Government. All it did was to express a decided protest against the action of the Government. Until the Government decided what they would do in the matter of reductions, they, of course, could not go further. This resolution was a protest on behalf of the important interests represented against the action of the Government. Hon: Ernest Gray quite agreed with the Hon. John Hall. The resolution was not affected if the Government was going to pay the money at once. It me.int this that they protested against the illegal conduct cf the Government in the past, and showed them that they were not disposed to put up with such treatment in future. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Mackie moved—" That the replies of the Government to remonstances which have been addrcosed to them are so unsatisfactory that it is desirable steps should be taken to compel payment if possible by legal proceedings if such is found necessary," Hpn. John Hall said he would second this resolution on the groimd that jt was necessary to be ready to take action. This was necessary, because he recollected the action of last session, when the Government were understood to have been only restrained from taking the accumu lated arrears of the Canterbury land fund by their Canterbury supporters. Now, however, the composition of the House was such that they could afford to dispense with the support of the Canterbury members. They would therefore be in a much better position to extend that policy which they had called the " bold highwayman's policy." ' (Hon Ernest Gray i # Larceny as a bailee i should call it.] Their intention, so far as he could see from the public prints, was. that they would not refuse to pay over the whole, but that they would rake up a number of charges which were not now legally chargeable upon the fund, and get Parliament to authorise the deductions. Mr Kolleston, who distrusted the Government, had got a clause inserted, making the amount payable thirty days after 3 st December, and Sir George Grey was very much surprised that such a clause should be considered necessary to compel the Government to pay over what was due. The latter proposed that the term should ba extended to ninety days, which was done. It was therefore Sir (Jcorge Grey's own proposal. The Government would be very gl«d to further extend the bold highwajm Hi: policy, the move eg as the people of 0 mterbury had taken the matter very quict'y There was a curious between the date of the present letters from the Government and the time this meeting was fixed. Though it v.' is true that fchey had no certain inforn atjon'ap what was likely to be done they should be ready to to meet the Government on the matter. Mr H'ggins was of opiuiqn'that they should' go _ to tJM Parliament, but his e\pri'ien<;eof tlje dealing of parliament with the land fuatj made him gn/ that tb J very best "thirg they couM do was to comm-ncH proceedings befcra Parliament had anything to do with it Mr Lii'gins said that the real fact was that the land fund" would go. 11 was a mere quo tion of a trial of ktrenvth between the N'>rtb and South, and the South shou'd have seen lon;,' ago thattbey were not strong enough to cope with the North.

M;ijor Atkinson's Government had proposed to take some, but as compared with Sir George Grey the former was, politically speaking, a mean robber, the latter having gone in for a much larger share of the plunder. H.e could not agree with either of them. As regarded the resolution he might point out that they had no certain information of the intention of the Government not to pay over the f nnd without deduction Supposing this was done by the end of the month, what position would they be in after passing such a resolution. Mr Eennie suggested that the meeting should adjourn until the intentions of the Government were ascertained.

Hon. John Hall said that he thought that it would be better for a committee to be appointed to whom it might be remitted whether action should be taken under the resolution, or another meeting called. He might say that very largo deductions were spoken of, as being likely to bo made from the sums payable to the Road Boards.

Mr Higgins was of opinion that Mr Hall's suggestion was a very good one, as it would take some time to ascertain really whether all the Eoad Boards had received what wa3 due to them. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr Bailey moved—" That for this purpose a committee be appointed to take such measures as they may be advised will prove most effectual, and that the representatives now present under take to recommend their respective Boards to contribute to the expenses of legal proceedings in proportion to the amount of the land fund which is due to them. That the committee be authorised to invite the co-operation of the other Eoad Boards and of the County Councils in this provincial district and in Otago which are interested in this question." Mr Peryman seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The following gentlemen wore elected as the committee:—Hon. John Hall, Hon. Colonel Brett, Messrs J. L. Wilson, Peryman, Grigg, and Mackie, with power to add to their number. Mr Peryman suggested that the various Eoad Boards should be recommended to bring the amount of money received by them from the Government before the committee, so that the latter might know whether they had received all.

Hon. John Hall said the amount due to the various Eoad Boards, as shown by accounts published in connection with the Selwyn County Council, would be about £Bb,<>oo, so that the committee would know whether the Road Boards had received all they were entitled to. A cordial vote of thanks was p issed to the chairman, and the proceedings, so far as the discussion of matters connected with the land fund, terminated. The Chairman said that there were several points of importance as connected with Eoad Boards which might be discussed with advantage. Several suggestions had been made by his Board to the Government last session for necessary amendments to be made in the Eoad Board Acts. Some discussion ensued upon the points of Road Boards having power to borrow money, the increase of the number of members, the taking of land, for purpo os of widening out of improving roads, &c. Nothing definite we.s done, however, the conference feeling that it would scarcely bo worth while making suggestions for the alteration of laws, which would now be applicable to the whole colony, without some idea as to the feeiiugs of Eoad Boards elsewhere on the subject. The meeting then dispersed. ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY. The monthly meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held at Radcliffe's hotel, at 3 p.m. Present—Sir J. C. Wilson, in the chair, Messrs Frankish, Farr, Hill, Carrick, G. L. Mellish. Several letters were read from the Bank of New Zealand acknowledging the receipt of certain moneys to the credit of the Society. A letter was read from Mr Boys with reference to certain quail sent to Captain Parsons. A letter from the Colonial Secretary was read, stating that a proclamation had been issued declaring that cock pheasants only might be shot. A letter was read from Mr Hill, stating that the quail sent had arrived in good order, and he had liberated them. A letter was read announcing that Mr Burns had been appointed as a ranger under the Act. A request was received from Mr Dells, Hokitika, asking whether the society could spare some hares for coursing. The secretary stated that he had replied to the effect that the society would see if they could spare the hares. The Secretary stated that he had received 220 quail, which had been liberated at Cashmere. A letter was read Sir J. C. Wilson with reference to the quail, stating that they were thriving well. A number of accounts were passed for payment. The Secretary stated that the Curator bad caught a man shooting hen pheasants, and he would prosecute him under the Act in due course.

The Secretary said it would be necessary for the Council to consider the asking the Government to grant them a gun lioense. Jt was necessary that they should have a close season, as it was patent that the birds were destroyed. Mr Melli3h said that he thought it was necessary for the season for duck shooting and the pheasants should be on the same date. Poachers went on the pretext of shooting ducks, and shot everything. He knew of an instance also in which a ranger had oeen shooting with a man who the ranger knew had not a license. He h;id also been told that a number of men were Bhooting on a licence issued a year before. He would move—" That the names qf those who had taken out licenses for the present year be issued in a circular to be sent to the rangers and to tho police." Mr Hill seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was resolyed—" That it be a recommendation to the Government that a gun license be included in the Act."

Dr. Frankish suggested that it would be very much better to have £1 gun license and no game license at all. Mr Mellish supported the proposition of Dr. Frankish. He thought that this was a fact, that they must have a close season next year. The fee for the gun license was fixed at 10s. The gamekeeper reported that he had caught a person named James Wright shooting hen pheasants. The secretary was instructed to prosecute three men who had been found trespassing with dog and gun without license. It was also resolved, "That the Government be requested to have a clause inserted in the Protection of Animals Act, making a difference between hares coursed and hares shot." The meeting then adjourned. ______ WORKING MAN'S CLUB. A meeting of gentlemen desirous of promoting the establishment of a Wording Mmi's Club in Christchurch was held yesterday afternoon in the City Qounpil Chamber. There were present hie Worship the Mayor, the Eevs. H. C. M. Watson, J. Smalley, Morlev, and Messrs Bowron, Geo. Gould, J. P. Jameson, L. 1L Nathan, C. C. Bowen, S. P. Andrews, Packer, Geo. Hart, H. J. Tancrcd, Cocks, Duckwell, Clephane, R. W. Fereday, and the Dean of Christchurch. His Worship the Mayor was elected to take, the chair. The Rey. IT. O. M Watson undertqok fcha duties'or spgrefcavy' pro rem. Letters of apology for unavoidably absence were read from Messrs W. D, Cavruthers, J. E. March, and the Rev. Mr Elmslie. Mr W. Montgomery, who takes a keen interest in the object, was al3o unable to attend, having to attend a meeting at the Canterbury College. His Worship the Mayor, i". opening the proceedings, uaid they had met for the consideration of a proposal to establish a'club in the interests' of working-men. Personally, he was, to an extent, unacquainted witli the working of such institutions, but many gentlemen were present to wheui the subject wan familiar,' and who had been instrumental in initialing the proceedings in which they, were taking part, and he would ask'one of them to address the meeting and explain 'their; yiewj. Mr 0/corge " Gj-oujd cau{ 't-hafc yuw vft the present meeting being called several conversations had taken place between a few gentle- ( men as to the form in which the project should be placed before the public. He was, himself, favorable to the establishment of a coffee tavern in connection with a Workingmini's Club, ponducted on temperanee principles, but he had his doubts how far such an

undertaking would be self-supporting. Contrary to his own wishes he was afraid that, the prohibition of wine, beer, and other liquors would operate against the self-sustainnient of the proposed institution. His Worship, in answer to a question, said that the point, suggested by Mr Gould appeared to have been a stumbling block at the preliminary private meetings of the promoters of the scheme, but lie thought a little mutual concession on the part of those who held different opinions on the matter would smooth away the difficulty and assist to bring into existence the institution they were all interested in.

The Rev. H. C. M. Watson stated that a few suggestions had been, in the first place drawn up by the promoters of the scheme, amongst the principal of which were the following : That there were two distinct classes of such institutions, but. both aiming at the same general object, the improving of the condition of the working classes. It was thought that both of those objects could be successfully combined under the present movement. The first class would be a working man's club proper, formed after the model of those already in existence, viz, a mutual institution self-supporting and self-managing. The second class would be of the nature of a temperance hotel, and would be of a proprietary character, supported and managed by its proprietors or their representatives. Both these institutions would be alike in providing refreshments and amusements for the working classes and in tending to withdraw them from evil associations. At the pame time it was evident that a self-supporting and selfmanaging club could only provide for a certain class. There were many who would not join a club, and it was for these that the proprietary club would be necessary. Both might be combined under the present movemen 1 ".. The building, when obtained, could be divided into two sections, one for the working Man's Club, and the other one for the Temperance Hotel. In this case the Working Man's Club would be of the nature of a tenant of that which belonged to a proprietary company. Many advantages would result from this combination, but amongst them two only need bo named—great economy in the management, and the influence brought to bear upon the improvident to become thrifty and self-reliant constantly operating through the contiguity of the two classes. To carry out the plan suggested, a company could be formed in 7000 £1 shares, and a site obtained which would be convenient to the homes of the working classes. A large hall for recreation purposes would also form a part of the plan. The suggestions he had pointed out were, of course, susceptible of modification, and it was for the consideration of them that the meeting had been called. Mr C. C. Bowen said the question possessed much interest for him, and he had carefully watched their establishment in many places. He thought, however, that the initiative should be taken by the working men themselves, and that the management of such institutions should be in the hands of those who benefited by them. The question of the principles on which such club should be conducted in his opinion devolved upon the members of the club when it was created. Restrictions would be resented, and would he thought prove inimical to success. The point was to ascertain who were friendly to the project, and then they should be called on to take their part in establishing it. Anything like patronage or dictation could not fail to be injurious. Again it was not a necessity that the members of the club should be solely working-men. Many who would probably bo desirous of becoming members, and desired rational recreation, would belong to professions or various callings. For his part, he had been a member of such a club in Wellington, and his experience had shown him that generally Bpeaking the honorary members had had the least to do with its management. It was the young unmarried men who should start the club into existence, and a meeting in which that class would be fairly represented was desirable for the purpose of ascertaining their sentiments upon it. Mr S. P. Andrews professed ignorance of the preliminary steps which had been already taken, but foresaw a difficulty from the fact that it was sought to establish an institution for the benefit of those who as far as he knew had never claimed to require it. It was like meeting a man in the street with a very dirty face, but who was unaware of the fact, and pointing out to him that if he was desirous of a wash you would find him the soap and water for its accomplishment. A s far as his experience went, the case was analogous, and he thought that the very persons they were endeavoring to benefit would take umbrage at it—at their liberty of doing what they pleased being infringed. The stringent' rules suggested by the Rev. Mr Watson would be a serious obstacle to the working men taking kindly to it. The flnanpial part of the question would be a fitter subject for present discussion than the manner in 'which the club established should be managed. Christchurch was differently situated to many other large centres of population, such as Wellington, Auckland, or Dunedin. Small freehold properties in those places were more difficult to obtain, and hence there was a corresponding difficulty in working men building up a home which would deter them from seeking com ort and recreation away from it. Most of the working men in Christchurch were ambitious of possessing a small freehold of their own, and if they could not get a section in one spot they could in another. The next step was to become a householder, and a home in the true sense of the word was created, and the men who had done this were not the ones to clamour cither for a coffee tavern or a Working Man's Club. The persons to be: benefited by such a project wpre thy improvident and those who lived up to their incomes. The reverse of the latter livu'l in their own homes, and would scarcely be likely to invest in a concern, the need of which they did not feel. With reference to the management of a club, it would, if left to the parties themselves, be very unlikely to be self-supporting. Those who most wanted it would not be able to contribute to its support, and those whom the promoters wished to benefit would look for their happiness and comfort elsewhere.

Mr J. P. Jameson questioned the desirability of instituting anything thai would entire married man iVom their homes. Mr Andrews had pointed out the class it would be desirous to benefit, and he concurred with him in his views upon the matter. For his (Mr Jameson's) part he thought an institution which took the form of a traveller's rest, whore men coming down from the country, where th'py had biien in the receipt of good wages, could find a temporary comfortable home, which would wean them from public houses and their temptations to drink, would be a tiling tc ho cjegired. Siicji a wiph a moderate charge lor accommodation, would do an incalculable amount of good, arid that w&§> he thought, the only way the bench! t> they wished to confer on the working classes cuuld be carried into effect.

Mr Packer brufly narrated the steps which had already been taken in furtherance of the scheme they were discussing. A difference of opinion regarding thp ijciuov question had osiated tlie originators. Qne chiss in favor of a wovking-man's club, purs and simplu, while another gpntiemau was in fayor of a con'ee tavern, which should be a superior building for the accommodation of men, who being away from their friends were left to drift away as they might, and fell into bad courses. A coffeo tavern need not of necessity bo connected, with a working-man'* flub, idthaugh it might be held luk'uv tiiosamo'root, l.t wus eventually resblvod by the promoters that a semi-public meeting should be called for the full discussion of the whole subject.

Rev. Mr Cock? in furor o£ establishing an antidote to tlie prevailing drinking customs, fti.d deprecated any attempt to dictate to working-men as to how they should, mannrje their own affairs. lp[{i advocated being affordad to' the working classes fc.v pVOc v ui'ing~wai , m, comforting drinks, such aa lea and coffeo, which he considered would wean them from the desire for hurtful stimulants. Anything that would do that would be an undoubted henefit.

The Rev. Mr Morley thought the formation of a. club v/aq prematura, and that it pyght to originate with the working-men themselves. It did not follow that what was a benefit in Auckland or Wellington would

necessarily be so in Christchurch. He endorsed the remarks that had been made by Mr Andrews. A coffee tavern for the promotion of temperance would not be a success unless combined with the principle of lodging accommodation, and the constituency they had to appeal to was too small for the project to be remunerative. A large number of persons would be glad to go to places of the kind where they would obtain the comfort of a home at a reasonable rate. The temperance boarding-houses that had been started up to the present time were the reverse of what they professed to be, not on the score of temperance, but as regarded the comfort afforded—in fact, the system on which they were conducted was that popularly known as the " cheap and nasty." An improvement on this was a thing to be desired. Professor Bickerton said at first ho had been in favour of combining a working man's club with the tavern scheme. He agreed with Mr Bowen that to ensure success the control of the institution should rest with the workingmen. He himself had some experience in the working of such institutions in Southampton, and they under the management of the parties most interested had proved eminently successful. Entertainments of various kinds formed part of the system, and no restriction was placed upon men drinking if they chose to do so. This privilege, so far from not being detrimental to the club, did not increase the profits. Financial difficulties had been the most difficult to overcome, and they had arisen from the absence of subscriptions ; if that difficulty could be got over, there was no question of the scheme being a success. The isolation of working men from each other in this colony was the chief difficulty. He would suggest that a circular embodying the principles they were endeavoring to carry out should be sent where there were a number of men employed to ascertain their feelings on the matter. Anderson's yard, for instance. As far as the coffee tavern was concerned, it would probably be a success, and certainly could do no harm. The broader question of the formation of the club would help to foster and support the other. Mr Clephane said he had always advocated teetotal principles, and occasionally had been taken to task for it. Why didn't the advocates of the scheme under consideration create an antidote to drink, or supply a home for the working-man which would spare the necessity of his going to a public-house ? His experience was that the class to be benefited had not the means to do it themselves, and if the gentlemen present would help to start a temperance hotel with some appearance of respectability and guarantee of comfort, they would earn the esteem and gratitude of working-men. There were hotels and hotels, and though working-men went from their own places into public houses, they would much more readily frequent such a place as he would like to see established. He was not conversant with the working and management of a club, but agreed with the previous speakers, that it ought to originato amongst the working-men. The Dean of Christchurch said as he understood the matter there were two views sought to be carried out—firstly, a tomperanoe tavern, and, secondly, a working-man's club. Ho thought it was possible to combine them, but he rather inclined to the club soheme. The question, he believed, was which should be started first. Mr Bowen's and Mr Andrews' conclusions were against the establishment of the club first, which their experience had taught them must result in failure unless started by the working-men. He did not agree with Professor Bickerton as to the advisability of sending out a circular, it would seem like an attempt to influence working men from without. The establishment of a Temperance Tavern, which would combine board and lodging, comfortable and respectable, as advocated by Mr Clephane, was worthy of consideration, and there would be every facility to combine a club with it. Only let it be understood that if working men wanted anything of the sort every facility would be afforded them, but no infiuenc from without should be brought to bear upon them. A Temperance Hotel of the right sort was a highly desirable thing, but not as one gentleman had observed, of the '' cheap and nasty" description. It should be an establishment that could compete with the best hotels in the city, with every comfort for *» mng single men—well lighted, well warmedaccommodation for billiards and other games, which in themselves were harmless, and in short as free, open, and enjoyable as it was possible to make it. Facilities should likewise be offered for combining a club with it, and it would be conferring a benefit on the whole community. To bring the matter to a point, he would move the following resolution :—" That it is desirable that a Limited Liability Company be formed, for the purpose of establishing a temperance hotel, providing thoroughly good accommodation of an attractive kind, and that every facility be given for the formation of a working-man's club in connection with it."

In seconding the resolution, the Rev. Mr Watson thought it, to a great extent, carried out the original idea of the promoters of the scheme, and would probably, in time, lead to the establishment of a club in connection with it.

Mr L. E. Nathan made some valuable suggestions with reference to the management of the hotel when started. Be pointed out that it wub a question to be considered whether it should be conducted by the promoters or whether it should be left to a third party to be conducted on temperance principles. Referring to the question of recreation, he pointed out that they already had a valuable institution among thenij namely, the Public Library ; and he waa of opinion that if the Board of Governors was memorialised they might be induced to make s\ich additions to the building as would provide accommodation for smoking, which was a colonial necessity, as well as the indulgence in harmless games, such a 3 e.he*s and draughts. The Dean observed that questions of management should bo left to a sub-com-mittee to draw up the details of the s'heme, to report subsequently to an adjourned meeting. The difficulty would bo in getting a competent manager, but if it, the !/uildmg, was let out, let it ba o.v; the distinct understanding that % w'sis t'o be conducted on certain defined principles. The Bev. Mr Morley cinsidered the question of management shoul i be decided by the proprietary. The resolution was then put Brad carried unanimously,

The meeting then proceeded to the appointment of a committee for the carrjing out of foregoing resolution.

Mr S. P. Andrews advocated, calling for the co-operation of thj c,r ths Y* r JQ u S ten\r,erav»tiiJ bodies and friendly aoci&ties in wh'ioh working meji weie interested. An advantage wonkf be gained in giving the people a chanoa of organising and perfecting such a scheme as they would be inclined to carry out. Funds would easily be raised by Buch means,

Rev. Mr Watson thought Mr Andrews' suggestion should be a rocomxuenclatian to the out fchp prospectus,. P<rofp?sor endorsed the opinion of Mv Audi-ewe. The following resolution was then moved by Professor Bickorton, seconded by Rev. Mr Morley, and carried—" That the following gentlemen, namely, the Dean of Chrntchuvch, his Worship the Mayor, Jiov. H. C. M. Watson, R:v. J. S.mahey, Mr S. P. Andrews, and the mover be a committee to carry out the roregoing resolution with power to add to their humber."

It was moved by Mr S. ?. Andrews, seconded by Mr, M.Ca'J<>y, and carried—'.'That it bo c.n instruction, to, the sub-.commi,ttee to obtain the co-operation of the various Temperance and Friendly Bk)cioAie§ BfcQ i-cpre-BOntativea of t;ho YP,riftUß industrial associations, to, prepare the prospectus necessary Jo yX&cii the objeots of the company before flic public." Mr L. E. Nathan moved, and Mr Andrews seconded—-" That the sub-committee place themselves in communication with t lie of Governors of Canterbury College, with the view of inducing thorn, to, make sue-h additions ijo the Public library buildings as avo necessary to increase the comfort and accommodation of the visitors." A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings, and the moeting adjourned.