MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1896, Page 7

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

On January 15 tho annual meeting of members of the Auckland Prohibition and Temperance League was held in the Wesley Hall, Mr S. C. Brown presiding. The Chairman aaid the receipts and expenditure for the yoar just about balanced. A resolution of sympathy and condolence was passed with reference to the losses sustained by the families of Messrs McDermotb and Perkins through bho recent drowning accident at bhe Kaipara. A vote of thanks waa also passed to bhe retiring officers. The following officers were elected for tbo onauing year:—President, Key. W. J. Williams; vice-presidents, Revs. F. Warner, G. B. Monro, J. Blaikie, C. E. Ward, H. Bull, G Burgess, Mra Sehnackenborg, Dr. A. O. Knight, Messrs W. Shepherd Ailon, E. Withy, T. Jackson, M.A., D. Goldio, J. Coupland, J. Hocking, J. Robinson ; chairman of Executive Committee, Rev. A. Peters ; secretaries, Messra R. French and W. S. Stanton ; treasurer, Mr S. C. Brown ; Committee, Mesdames Kerr, Davis, Caradus, Craig, and Stanton, Messrs George Aid ridge, A. Thorno, W. Kerr, J. W. Carr, W. J. Macdermotb, A, Rosser, P- Crowo, W. Tomlineon, W. J. Hipkins, R. Nicholls, Henry Hirst, C. O. Hill, W. Morgan, E. Priesbloy, and Roy. S. Lawry. Addresses were given by the Rev. W. -J. Williams, S. Lawry, A. Pebers, Waiker, and Mr George Aldridgo.

On January 13th a meeting of bhe general committee formed recently by cipponenbs of bhe Contagious Diseases Act, in reference bo bhe proposal bo again pub the Act in force in Auckland, waa held in tho V.M.C.A. Rooms. The meeting wa« convened by tho executive in order to invite suggestions as to carrying on tho agitation against the Acb. Tho Rev. A. 11. Collins presided, and among bhose present were:—Revs. VV. J. Williams, George Maun, T. Bray, Bi L. Thomas, A. Peters, D. McNiccol. and Lawry, Mesdames Schnackenburg, Carradus, Craier, Davies, K. E. Dovies, Adams, H. M. Adams, Owen, Batty, Griflibhe, Plummor, Gouk, Bridges, Hughes, Messrs Carradua, Aldis, Jamen, Cheal, Adam?, Rimrnor, T. Cranwell, obc. lb was resolved to propare a two-fold petition — ono from ratepayers in the city and one signed by adult residents of the city generally—for presentation to tho City Council against the Act. It was also resolved that a deputation of opponents ol the Act vvaib on tho City Council shortly, and address that body in opposition to the bringing in of. bhe Acb in Aucklai.d. It was decided bo hold drawing room meetings on bhe eubjecb of tho Act, to arrange for raeobinga in connooticm with the city churches, schoolrooms and cottage meeting?, in order to onlit_'hten the public aa to the provisions of tho Ac*. The Chairman said men needed instruction no these mattera just as much aa women. During tho proceedings at bbc meeting lebters"vvero read fiom'a large number of clergymen and citizens received since bhe last moating, couched in the strongest language protesting against the re - introduction of bhe CD. Acb in any form whatever, and offering practical help in obtaining tho repeal of thia law. One clergyman declared that such an infamoua degrading law should bo resisted even by force. The opinion way repeatedly expressed itv the letters fiom citizens thab the proposal to mo ho tho law applicable to both sexes waa an impossibility, and thereforo n sham and a trap to bo;,-uil-: the women of Auckland. Tho following resolution was proposed by Mrs Schnackcnbiirg, seconded by Airs Butty, arscl warmly supported by a number of epeukera: "That thia Committee desires to oKprass its high nppreciat-'on of tha valuable aid so longand consistently afforded bo tho bast interest's of women by Mr T. VV. Leys, bhe editor of the Auckland Stab, who, whilst mercilessly exposinsf tho baseness of these vile laws, has over been foremost in upholding liberty and purity." The motion waa carried by acclamation.

Tho thirtieth annual evasion of the Orange Grand Lodge of New Zealand wa» he'd on January 10 in the Protestant Hall, Newton, when thero waa <» lar^a attendance of members and delegates, also distinguished visitors from the I'osmanian and Middle M:.-id Grand Lodges. Tha Grandmaster, Rev. A. Peters, took fche chair at b.30 p.m., and, after devotional exercises wero engaged in, declared the Grand Lodge duly opened. _ The Grand Secretary then submitted hia roporb for the half-year, which showed the Institution to be in a sound condition, and also stating that he hod beon in communication with all bhe Grand Lodges of the world, each reporb announcing thab the Institution was progressing. Several matters of importance from some of the lodges having been disposed of, the Grand Lodge resolved itself into committee for the election of ofßcaro, Bro. Carnahan I.P.G.M. taking the chnir. Tho following were duly elected: R.W.G.M., Bro. Rev. A. Peters (re-elected); D.G.M., Bro. J. Sfcewarb (re-elected); G.S., Bro. J. Murphy, G.S., Bro. C. Joynb; G. Chap., Bro, Rev. J. Blight); Foreman of Commibteo, Bro. J. Carnahan (reelected); I.T. and 0.T., Bios. J. Johnston and W, Kother; Trustees, Bros. Pebers, Sbewarb and J. Murphy ;'G-L. Lecturers, same as previous years. Bro. Carnahan then inStalled the officers. It was arranged thab a picnic be held on January 29fch, and the maiber was relegated bo the executive to carry inbo effect).