LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1694, 25 July 1879, Page 3

LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of tho above association was held at Mr Morton’s Hotel, last evening. The attendance was the largest and most influential held for years past. The minutes of the last meeting haying been read and confirmed, The following annual report was laid before the meeting:— Soon after your committee took office, an application was made by Mr T. B. Thompkins, on behalf of Mrs Preston, widow of the late Mr W. Preston, of the Borough Hotel, who was for several years a member cf this association. Mrs Preston was left in very precarious circumstances, and stood much in need of some pecuniary aid. Some members of your committee having visited Mrs Pre,ton, and ascertained her exact position, considered it a case that came peculiarly _ under tho benevolent branch of the association, and accordingly, on their recommendation, a sum of £SO was voted for her at a general meeting of tho members. Mr J. Milsom, who most kindly volunteered to solicit subscriptions from the merchants and others, collected altogether £l7 14s. Yonr committee, on their own responsibility, but which they have no donbt will be sanctioned by the present meeting, added the stun of £2 6s, thus making £IOO, which turn has been invested, through Mr Thomas, on good security at fifteen per cent per annum. At the request of the proprietors of the “Sun” newspaper, that journal was appointed tho official organ of the trade in Canterbury, Tho last annual dinner passed off with groat success The committee desire to congratu ate tho meeting on the successful result of their efforts to establish the principle that non-licensees are not entitled to sell liquors under borrowed licenses. The deeds of the association are now placed in a box and deposited in tho Bank of New Zealand. Yonr committee would strongly urge upon the members of the trade the absolute necessity of tkeir uniting together for the purpose of protecting their interests, as strong efforts are being made by tho temperance section of the community to curtail our privileges in every way they cm. Your committee have received numerous complaints relative to the stringent measures lately adopted by the Bench respecting the closing of billiard rooms, and it is for the present meeting to consider what steps it is desirable to taka in the matter. Your committee trust the financial position of the association will be deemed satisfactory, as notwithstanding the £SO voted to Mrs Preston, which may be considered as altogether an exceptional item, there is still a credit balance at the Bank of £9l 8s id. Your committee would, however, strongly urge upon tho members tho desirability of at once paying their annual subscriptions, in order that some portion of the funds may bo placed ont at interest. T. W. Moeton, President. Tho report was adopted, and a committee was appointed to wail upon the Licensing Bench re the billiard room question. Tho following officers we reappointed for tho ensuing year : —President, Mr J. W. Morton ; treasurer, Mr Barlow ; secretary, Mr 0. H. Greenwood.

A committee was elected os follows : Messrs Hiorns, Allen, Ravenbill, Richardson, and Muff.

The retiring secretary, Mr Tribe, who has acted ns secretary to the association for fifteen years, was voted an honorarium of six months’ salary. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.