Auckland Scripture Gift Association.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 78, 27 March 1886, Page 5

Auckland Scripture Gift Association.

Tub annual meoting of the subscribers to the abovo Association was held on March 3, in the Young Women's Christian Association Rooms, Mr McM aster occupied the chair, and Mossrs S. Rout (the Secretary) and Douglas wore also present. The Chairman lamented the paucity of attendance, after which the annual reports and statement were taken as read, and adopted on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Douglas. The report was as follows :—

Annual statement of year endlng27th February, 1880 (ninth yoar) :—Number of booka distributed, 7.H0. divided aa follows .-—Awards to scholars for Holy Soripturo committed to memory, 3.578; gifts to aohool libraries, 1.720; work lads, C 63; cabins of pasaengor ateamera, 190; Hoarding - homes, work • rooms, readingrooms, Sailor,' Rest, etc., 171; hospitals and orphanagos, 220. Voluntary Soriptureoxcrolaes (without prize) continue as last year, viz,, at an average of about 1.000 in number monthly. The Juvanile Scripture Loarners' Band, for a sneolnl reason, haa been disconi Inued; something else, however, nitty yet ocoupy ita place. Tho endeavour on behalf of work lads for the year now ended has met with further success, and is evidently in measure appreciated by thoßO sought to oe thus benefited—viz, workshop male apprentices of 13 to 16 years of age. 6,000 copies of Biahop Moorhouse's admirable, if not unanswerable, loeture on " The Biblo in State Schools." have been circulated throughout the colony. Table books having been for the post throe veara placed in the cabins of coastal and intercolonial passenger Btcamers. it has been thought well to make an appeal on behalf of tbo Association's fundi to the oaptalna of the vesaelß thuß supplied. Seven have reaponded-some llborTlio grateful thsnka of the Committee are again duo for mnch special help rendered, and ot which the following is a briaf record:—The oxecutivo of tho Religious Traot Sooiety. London, for a gift of useful books of the value of £55 4a sd; Measra S. W. Partridge and Co., London, for a paroel of books, value £3 3s; Messrs W. MoArthur and Co., of this city, for thoir oontlnued generous entire free delivery o£ tho Asaoclatlon'a eupplloa, received from England; MePßrs Champtaloup and Cooper, Mr Charles Maokar. and Mr H. Colson, stationers, for ÜBoful aid rendered at thoir buaineaß prentiiaa on behalf of the city school children and work lads who respond to the ABSool-stion'a offers; to the ownera of the coasf.l at .araers for free delivery of the Association's book .parcels, aa also for free paest-nes granted to the agent to the Thames by Messrs Fraser and Tlnne. The gift of 1,000 copies of the prosont year's annual report havina been promised by the proprietor ot the Evening Stab, the hOsrty thanks of the Committee are now tendered for the same. To the auditors—Messrs Shirley W. Hill and Charles A. Jonaa —for services gratuitously rendered, thanks ar« alao returned. The Committee now alao tender their very grateful thanks to all subscribers, agents, and workers who have shared in producing the encouraging results now realiar.d by tbe Association at the cloae of thia, ita ninth year. Owing ti the prea'-nt unusual commercial depression, it seemed somewhat, doub ful if tho uaual income could be sustained, but it will be notioed that the reverse of this has in degree been experienced. Thia fact has probably been brought about from many friends and helpers being so thoroughly convinced of tho oxtrome necessity ot the Association's work; and the more ao as the visiting of the publiosohoola in tbe provinoe by clergymen for the purpose ot Bible instruction continues rather rare, while in the city itself it stands at nil. A now year is now again entered upon with renewed confidence in the sympathy and aid of all having the best welfare ot the rl.i'tg generation at heart; and more abundantly so in hope and trust in Him to whom ia rendered all praise and thanksgiving for any past sucoesa realised in a work which is ot both present and future consequence tp the inhabitants ot the colony."

Tbe statement of accounts showed that the receipts, including a balance of £14 Is 8d from the previous year, amounted to £501 17s 6d, while the expenditure had been £190 2a 3d, leaving a credit balance of £1115 a 3d. Election of Officers, — The following officers were elected for a term of three years : — Archdeacon Maunsell, Rev. P. Mason, 8.A., Dr Kenderdine, Dr. Knight, and Messrs G. W. Owen, F. Larkins, and J. Buchanan. The following were elected as a Committee for the ensuing year :— Messrs J. Douglas, A. C. Caughey, T. McMaster, S. Rout, A. Thome, and J. Wieeman. Mr S. Rout was also re-elected Secretary, and Mr Alex. Thome Treasurer.