NEW PLYMOUTH FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8083, 12 April 1906, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Friendly Society was held on Wednesday, when there were present : Messrs G. Cock (President), N. Golding, J. Kenyon, C. T. Mills, T. Sole, A. Marsh, J. L. Ibbotson, J. Norlhuott, R. Pcppercll, C. Groeunwny, and T. P. Lister. The balance-sheet, as adopted, showed receipts (including balance in hand of £BB 13s 7d) totalling £3ll 18s 9d, and expenditure £339 lis, leaving a credit of £5 7s Ud. Sick pay had absorbed £ll7 lis Od, £75 had been paid m funeral money, and £lOl 5» to the surgeon. There is out at interest £2210. The total funds of the Society amount to £2215 7s 9d and the membership 82. The President, Mr X. Golding, reported as follows:—" In pr.'senting to you statement of accouuts for tho year just closed, I regret to say there is a loss on the year's work which is accounted for by the heavy amount we havo been called upou for funeral nionoy, and payments to those who have been on the sick list is £42 more than perevious year. The present cash worth of the Society is £2215, which, with outstaudiug amounts, provides sufficient for an average of £2B 16s 9d per member, which is very satisfactory to all concerned. I regret to report the death of three of our members during the past year, namely, late Bros. N. Julian, J Newlnnd and W. Bennett. The Society during the year lias admitted three new members, and when considering the strong financial position, and tho low rate of subscriptions, there should not be difficulty in inducing others to join. Mr N. Golding was re-elected president, and Mr J. Kenyon treasurer. The following Board of Management was appointed: Messrs T. French A. Marsh, Ibbotson, T. Sole, C. Green, way, and T. P. Lister. Mr F. H. Jackson was elected auditor. Votes of thanks were accorded the doctor (Dr. Walker), the secretary (Mr C. T. Mills), and the retiring chairman (Mr G. Cock).

MEMBERS' RE-UNION. I About half-past two in the afternoon there was a v gathering of about fifty of the members at the Trocadero, for | the Society's re-union. Mr N, Golding presided, having on his right Mr R. Cock, Mayor of New Plymouth, and Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., for Taranaki, whilst Dr Walker sat on his left. The President said Grace, after which the gathering successfully uogotiated a very excellent menu. Special moution must be made, not only on the complete success of the culinary department, but also of the very prompt attendance, and the manner in which the tables were decorated. When the dishes had been cleared away, the usual toast " The King " was honoured, to the strains of " God Save the King." Mr C. T. Mills, the secretary, favoured with a song, "I won't go out." The Mayor proposed the health of the President, Mr Cock, stating his pleasure at meeting so many of the "Old Buffers." The gathering reminded him of the early days, when there were big dinners given annually, when he, as a small boy, had longingly watched the cooking of the plum puddings and all the other great preparations for what was then an annual fixture which was eagerly looked forward to, and which sometimes ran into " celebrations " extending over several days. When the Society was started there was no such thing as an Oddfellows' or Foresters' Lodge, and probably no other Society had ever had such a straggle as this one during the days of the Taranaki war, when there was much sickness and much hardship, entailing big drains on the finances. He considered the Government should, instead of placing obstacles in their way, assist Friendly Societies, which did incalculable good, and, to a certain extent, solved the pauper problem by assisting their own members in distress. His Worship referred to the Society's medical atten. dant, Dr Walker, whom he described as a very painstaking surgeon. Dr Walkor, he said, now owned the practice of the doctor whom the Friendly Societies had been compelled to import —the other doctors refusing to meet the societies—and still worked under the old agreement. Their President seemed hale and hearty as ever despite his 88 years and four months, and had been 41 years a member of the | Society.

Tho President, in returning thanks, said that ho hoped that he would see many more re-unions like this. He liked to see members coming manfully forward to the tables once a year, if only to show that the Society was alive, and to make some outside show to attract young members to join the Society. Mr Geo. Cockproposod "The Parliament of New Zealand." Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.E., replied. He was proud that he had been five times returned to represent this constituency, and claimed that he had always used his influence for the advancement of the industrial and farming interests of this district. He asserted that there was urgent necessity for amendment of tho land laws and land valuation system. Mr Smith claimed great benefit from the Government cheap money system. The Chairman proposed " Tho Mayor of New Plymouth," remarking, "I know him when we were boys together, and we're both getting grey-haired I now."

Mr Cock, in replying, said the history of the Society would niako interesting reading. " Tho health of Dr. Walker was honored, Mr C. T. Mills proposmg. Replying, Dr. Walker said he could only say that the name, '• New Plymouth Friendly Society," was very appropriate, for his relations with the Society had been most cordial and a never-ceasing source of pleasure to himself. All toasts were accorded musical honors, Mr W. Perry playing the ac companiments. aj" God Save the King " terminated a very enjoyable gathering.