Auckland Liberal Association.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 78, 27 March 1886, Page 6

Auckland Liberal Association.

The annual meeting of the above Associa tion took place on March 12 in the Albertstreet Temperanco Hall, but was only very thinly attended. Tho following members were present:—Messrs H. W. Fainall (President), P. M. Grant (Secretary), F. Mouzer, G. Warburton, H. R. Jury, A. Otto, P. McNaught, H. Phillips, W. Hodge, F. Jeune, R. D. L. Duffus, Duncan, and five other gentlemen.

In answer to questions, it was stated (1) that there wore 188 members who contributed to the funds of tho Society; and (2) that the Executive consisted of 12 vicepresidents and 3 other officers. The Secretary then read the following report and balance-sheet .-—

Mr President and Gentlemen, — Bofore presenting the financial report and balanco sheet of the Association itmaynotbeout of place to give a short rcaumtS of tbe work the Aasoctation haa done Binoeits formation. The Auokland Liberal Association held its 'first regular meeting in the Temperance Hall on Auctuat 25th, 1884, when rules were adopted, and President, Vice Preaidents. Seoretary, Treasurer, and Committee eleoted. Since that time up to August 7th, 1885, the Association have held twenty general meetings, six publio meetings, aa follows:—Theatre Royal, when the Hon, Robert Stout, the Premior, addressed the pubUo; Theatre Royal, when Sir Googe Grey delivered an address i St. James'a Hall, Mr De Lautour; maas meeting in Temperance Hall, to oonsider petition to Parliament re Licensing Bill; msaa publio meeting to oonaldor tho queation of the unemployed. The Executive Committee have held 21 meetings. Your Executive have alao to report having opened two branch aa?ociationa, one at Helenavi'le and one at Hamilton, and from latest alvicss they were in a very flourishing condition. ■

addresses and Papbrs read before the Association as follow:—Addresa by Mr DeLautour : Subject, "Llberallam: An Inquiry." Mr Lopper: Subject. " Mission ot Llberallam in New Zealand." Mr R. D. L. Duffua: Subject, "Stato Bank of Isaue." Hon. Robert Stout: Address, " Technical Education." Sir George Grey: Address, "ThePoliticalAspeot." Pamphlets. —The Association have had printed and tliatributed gratia 1,000 ooplesof Hod. Robert Stmit'a address on "Ti clinical Education," and 1,000 copies of Mr Duffaa'a paper on "State Bank of Isaue."

Petitions.—The ASBOoiatton atmuoh costand labour, presented ti the Parliament a petttion in favour of Land Tax, signed by about 4,000 peraons. The Aasociation also presented a petition to Parliament in favour of the Licensing Amendment BUI, Big ■ ed by over 9.000 peraons. Thia goes to show the power and vitality of the Association, and if members would only put their shoulders to the wheel, they possess a power whioh, If used unitedly, would enable them to oarry out Liberal measures and reforms in spite of all opposition. Correspondence.—The Aesooiation have been in oon.tant correspondence with all the Liberal and Politioal Associations of a similar nature throughout the ooloay, and the result of this correspondence is the probabable unification and banding together of the Liberal Party throughout the colony, with a view to united action to carry out Liberal reforms.

Changk of Kxecutive Officers—The President, Mr Duffus, found it neceaaary, through bnslneaa engagement?, to tender his reaignation, whioh was moat unwillingly and reluctantly accepted by the Association, who passed a vote ot thanks to Mr DuffUß for the valuable aervicee ho had rendered tha Association. Mr H. VV. Farnall was elected in hia stead. Thero have also been several changoa iv the personnel of the Executive. Mr Lepper, Seoretarj, owing to buaincaa engagements in the country, had also to reaign, and the present Secretary was appointed to fill tho vaoancy. The Balance-sheet shows arrears of sobscriptions to tbe amount of £39 l.s 3d. This is to be regretted, as the want of funds greatly cripples tbo Association. It is to be hoped that those members in arrears will pay un their Bubscrlotions, and place the Association on a sound flnanoial basis, and enable it to oarry out the objects which the Aaaoci itibn aimß at. Your Executive desirea to thank the Misses Lnndon, Onehunga, for tha very liberal manner in whioh they provided (free of charge) lnncheon for Hon. the Premier and party on the occasion of his visit to Onehunga under the auspices ot the Ausociation.

Receipts and Expenditure for Year Ending sth October, 18:5.—Receipts: To snnacriptlora and donations to sth Ootober, 1885, £77 16s5d-£77 18s sd. Expenditure: By paymen tB to October 5, 1885, £73 18s lOd: balance, £31757d-£7716a5d.

Balance-sheet sth October, 1835— Assets: To balance, £317b 7d; subscriptions due, £39 Us 3d; Helensville Association, 8a 6d; total, £1317 a Id. Liabilities: By sundry accounts, £10 Is; balance, £3313 a Id; total, £1317s Id. Cash Account.—To account paid, £1 13s; cash in Secretary's hands, £1 10s 6d ; cash in Treasurer's hands. £1 IDs; balance, £2 Us 6d. Total, £10 Is. —By aooounts owing, £10 Is. Total, £10 4s.

On the motion of Mr Hodge, seconded by Mr Warburton, the report and balancesheet were adopted.