MILTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 31

MILTON.

December 2.— A speech anil song mission jp connection with- the Wesleyan Church, conducted by Sister Elinor and Miss Jule Layton, was commenced in the Presbyterian Hall last night, and, despite the inclement weather, was well attended. The mis&ion will be continued during the week. Church Music— The question of introducing instrumental music into the church ivps brought up at the annual meeting of the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday evening last, ior many years this matter has been allowed to stand in abeyance Dut of deference to the strong opinions on the matter held by some of the older and most valued nienibeis of tho church. Four years ago, however, the question was discussed, when it was agreed that though it was desirable to have instrumental music m the service ot praise, no further action should be taken until the debt on tho church was reduced to £200. As the debt has now been wiped out altogether, it was considered advisable to introduce the matter again. The meeting on Wednesday evening was well attended, and a motion proposed by Mr Adam that the matter be referred to a vote of the congregation was eventually carried by an overwhelming majority as against an amendment moved by Mr M"Caw — "That the question be not entertained."

Vo!un<eers.— The Biuce R-fle-, ?>r __ n week's tiaimus:, broke up ca 7 .ip ~> i F'mI 1-'-morning. During the encampment a Jaige amount of useful work was put n-, ipi:j-. somewhat, however, owing to a la-ige iiumb p r of members failing to turn up regularly. The men were inspected liy Colonel Robin on Monday evening, 25th ult., and put through a, number of movements by their officers. At the conclusion, Colonel Robin \xp:essed himself as, well satisfied with the work done. Wednesday evening was devoted to trench digging, and on Thursday evening something in the nature oi a sham fight, in which the school cadet? paiticipated, took place. During the time the men were m camp, instruction was also given in outpost duty, scouting, etc., and al«o in the use of the new Les-Enneld rifles which have lust been issued to the men. Sergcoiit-major Taylor attended the camp as instructor.

Valedictory. — The esteem in which the Rev. Father O'Neill is held by all cla=sP3 of ihe ccrnlmmity was shown by the very large liumbev who gathcied in St. George's Hall on Monday evening, 25th ult., to wish him "Gcdspped" en the voyage he v. - as about to take to the old country, for the benefit of Ins health, and to Piesent him with a purse oE sovereigns as a token of the esteem in which he was held. The first par I of the proceedings took the form of a conceit, but at a subsequent stage, Mr W. Moore, the Mayor, took the chair and called on Mr J. A. Scolt to make the presentation. Mr Scott, m a well-chosen speech, then presented Father O'Neill with a purse containing close on 300 sovereigns, referring especially to the woik lit had done in his own flock, and m connection with his own church. The chairman, Messrs D. Reid and J. Duiijip (Balclutha), and the "Rev. J. C. Sraali ("Exv.scopalian) also spoke in appreciative terms of the rev. gentleman's high qualities as a man and a citizen. Mi Scott, on bchalt of the lad-es of the congregation, then presented His? O'Neill, who leave? ior Home with her brother, wuli a handsome gold bangle, whi'e the same lady was the recipient of a handsonip tip" 0 "'?):* lug from her Balclutha friends. Father O'Neill, who spoke with much difficulty, in replying, thanked all for tht great kindness shown mm, and iexpreb=ed his gratification that what he had been mabled to do during his 17 years' <-tay in Milton should havt called forth the very kind lemarks which had been made by the speakers oi fie evening.

Building Society.— The Bruce Property In■\estmeiU and Buiidiiig Society is an institution of wh.ch the people oi Milton are justifiably proud. During the many years it has been in existence it has piovcd an inestimable benefit to the working classes if the distuct, providing them, as it has d*one, with ail easy and coinement means of securing hojacs of theii own, while the punciple adopted of allowing shares to be taken up simply as an investment has dene much to eDccuxage a, sjjirit oi

tliriftmcs amo .gst all classes of the coin rnun'ty. It is pleacing to notice that the success which lias attended the opera' ions of the society juice its inauguration still continues and consequently the comm -tee was a'ole to lay before the shareholders at the annual meeting, held on Tuesday evening, 26th ult., a most satisfactory repjrt and balance sheet. These showed that the gioss profits for the year, including surplus of £84 4s lOd from last year, were £IKB 2s, which, after deducting £138 10s Gel for working expenses, leaves a balance of £1009 ]ls 6d, allown-g a dividend of 5J per cent, to bo paid and of £72 15s 5d being carried foiward to the new account. It is worth noting, as oae of the factors which inakDS for the success of the society, that the working expenses aie exceedingly small. The total revenue foi the year amounted to £5923 17s, while the woikivg expenses, including secretary's salaiy, cornmitteemen and auditors' fee?, je»it. fklehtv bond, advertising, stationery, etc.. totalled, a "above stated, only £138 10s 6d. It is questionable whethei any similar society in tho colony doing the fame amount of business is so cheaply managed. Another pleasing feature was that the subscriptions, interest, and lines in arrears amounted to only £3 15s 6d, a fact which says a good deal for the thorough business way in which the society is managed. Mr John Hollick was unanimously re-elected president, Mr J. A. Duthie vice-president, and Mr H. M. Marry att shareholders' auditor, while of the two "retiring committeemen Mr D. Reid was re-elected, and Mr J. B. Scanian elected in place of Mr Jas. Inglis, wha declined nomination on account of ill-health. Woollen Factory.— On the same evening the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Biuce "Woollen Manufacturing Company was held in St. George's Hall. Mr Wrn. Moore, chairman of directors, occupied the chair, and moved the adoption of the report and balance shpet. Mr John Holhck, in seconding the li-oiion pro forma, referred to the lack of information contained in the report and balance sheet, which, he said, was the most miserable ever presented to a meeting of the kind. He also referred in very trenchant terms to the action of the directors in allowing calls on ceitain shares to remain unpaid while collecting them from others, and also alluded to the fact that timber obtained at a reduced rate from the sawmills was being distributed in the town, wius making the company virtually enter into competition with the local timber merchants, a business which their articles of association did not allow them to enter into at all In replying, the Chairman pointed out that certain of the shares referred to were those taken up by the directors previous to the fare, simply to strengthen the financial position ot the company, and on the distinct understandir.° that they were not to be called up until absolutely necessary. The calls on certain ether shares had not been made simply because the company was in no immediate need or money, and when tho money was required there was no doubt the calls would be fully paid With regard to the timber business, heat first denied that there was any truth in the inmour. Subsequently, however, he admitted that timber had been distributed in the manner complained of, but that the directors had now taken steps to prevent a recurrence oi such a thing in the future. Other shareholders having spoken, the adoption of the report and balance sheet was carried on the voices. Tho retiring directors and auditors were elected without oprjosition, and the meeting, which at one time threatened to be a very warm one, ended without further incident. During the evening it was mentioned that the bulk of the machinery would be here in about a fortnight, and that the mills would probably be in operation about May next.