WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2177, 16 February 1881, Page 3

WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

The quarterly general moeting of members of the Working Men's Club was held oa Tuesday evening, there being a very large attendance; Mr Wykes, the president, occupied thp ohair. , Tne Chairman explained that one of the rules of the society, re appointment of meetings, had been violated, such rule providing that the general meeting shonld be held January. The delay had arisen through the fault of tho secretary, whose books were not ready for the auditors. The laohes of the secretary had caused the committee great anxiety and a good deal of extra work. Turning from this somewhat unpleasant subject, he referred to a brighter prospect — namely, the position of the i-lub at the present time, which was of a most satisfactory character. The list of members now numbered 700. This, however, could not be taken as the correct membership, as many of those whose names were down had since joining retired again, and were no longer financial members of the club. Still the membership had considerably increased. Owing to the retirement of oertain officers, the meeting would be asked to elect gentlemen to fill their placeß. It was proposed to increase the library fund by a dramatic entertainment to be_ given by a troupe formed in connection with the institution. This promised to be a success, and he hoped it would, as the object was to addto the library a stock of valuable books of instruction, by which tho members could improve themselves in attendance at the rooms. As indicating their prospects in this direction, he mentioned that several influential gentlemen bad been written to asking for their patronage, among them Mr Geo. Gould, who, in reply, had written to the president, enclosing an order on Mr White, bookseller, for books to the value of £5. [Applause.] The chairman concluded by requesting the meeting to conduct any discussion that might arise with good sense and decorum. The minutes of the first annual meeting were then read and confirmed. The auditors, Messrs. Alexander McNeill and George Geddes, having entered the room at this stage, the report and balance sheet were read.

The balance sheet presented the following figures : Receipts Balance to credit of club on 30th September, 1880, £55 17s 9d ; contributions, £ll7 2s; rent, £6 10s ; sale of refreshment tickets, £425 14s ; total, £605 3s 9.1. Balance to credit of club—ln bank, £9B 8s 3d ; due frrm Mr Whitmore, late secretary, £7l 9s Od j due from Mr Phipps, late treasurer, £lO 4s Id. The balance in hand to to the credit of the club was shown to be £2BO 14j sd.

In their report, Messrs Geddes and McNeill, auditors, showed that certain irregularities of a serious character had occurred in connection with the departmental work. On the motion of the chairman, after some discussion, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Some discussion ensued regarding a deficiency in the accounts disoovered by the auditors, and referred to by them in their report. Several resolutions were proposed, but not carried.

Ultimately the following decision was arrived at—" That the matter be referred back to the committeo and the trustees, with power to act." The next business before the meeting was the nomination of two committeemen and a secretary for the ensuing term, the election to take place in fourteen days from tho date of notice being posted. The above having been disposed of, the meeting adjourned.