MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 259, 28 October 1897, Page 5

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES

The final meeting of the session of the University Musical Students' Association was held on October 11 in (.he Choral Hall. There was a large attendance. The lion. J. A. Tole, LLB., presided, and presented Miss M. Laing (senior first) with the prize (two volumes on musical subjects) previously awarded for the best tune to Bishop Heber's hymn "Shelter." Miss J. M. Adams received honourable mention. These two tunes were rendered by the Misses L. Thomson and M. Laing and Messrs W. W. Kidd .and A. H. Stuart. The Chairman also presented Professor Schmitfc with an address on behalf of the students and a handsome walnut escritoire, which the Professor duly acknowledged.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Club was held on Oct. 22, in the Harbour Board Buildings, Mr T. Henderson (Commodore) presiding. The report and balance-sheet, as published in a previous issue, were adopted, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Commodore Mr Thomas Henderson ; vicecommodore, Mr T. Kilfoyle; rear-com-modore, Mr H. F. Windsor: treasurer, Mr It. S. Keynolds ; secretaries, Messrs W. A. McCormick and D. Carter; auditors, Messrs J. Wiseman and J. C. Webster; committee, Messrs J. L. R. Bloomfield, A. Buchanan, H. H. Partridge, J. Ansenne, G. V. Edgcumbe, W. Jagger, A. Harvey, Dr. Coates, and Captain Gibbs. The annual subscription was fixed at 10s 6d. Messrs Breen, .Harvey, and Pittar were elected members, and six new candidates for membership were nominated.

The annual meeting of the French Literary Society (L'Alliance Francaise) was held on October 13, in the Liedertafel Rooms, Lome-street. Professor de Montalk presided, and there was a good attendance. The report and balance-sheet were submitted by the hon. secretary, Mr W. J. Napier. The Society during the year had paid its way and closed the year with a substantial balance. The prizes awarded by the parent society in Paris, for proficiency in the French language had been awarded as recommended by the President. A vote expressive of regret at Vice-President Seth-Smith's ill-health and absence from the colony, and a wish for his speedy return was passed. An interesting address was given by the President, after which followed literary selections and criticisms by the members. It was decided to hold a soiree musicals on the 27th inst.

The regular quarterly communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Irish Constitution, was held in the Freemasons' Hall, Princes - street, on October 4. There was a good attendance of members and a large number of visitors present. The business generally was of a routine character, save the final settlement of a case which had been before the G.L. and the P.G. Lodge for the past nine years, which finally ended in the suspension of the brother, and the election of officers for the ensuing twelve months as follows :—P.S.G.W., Bro. P. Stewart, 468 (Dunedin) ; P.J.G.W., Bro. F. J. Whitaker, 348 (Auckland); Treasurer

and Secretary, Bro. J. R. Hanna, 348 (Auckland) ; P.S.G.D., Bro. D. G. Shepherd, 468 (Dunedin) ; P.J.G.D., Bro. J. K. Jarnieson, 471 (Invercargill) ; P.G.Reg., Bro. A. Brock, 348 (Auckland) ; P.G.S. of W., Bro. G. E. Lanre, 480 (Waiukn) ; P.G.D. of C, Bro. G. A. Gribbin, 348 (Auckland) ; P.G.5.8., Bro. J. Christie, 454 (Thames). P.G. Stewards: Bro. E. R. Piggott, 348 (Auckland) ; Bro. A. Goldwater, 446 (New Plymouth) ; Bro. G. Page 454 (Thames) ; Bro. A. Carrick, 468 (Dunedin) ; Bro. R. Meredith, 471 (Invercargill) ; Organist, Bro. J. H. Phillpot, 348 (Auckland) ; P.G.1.G., Bro. A. Newham, 44G (New Plymouth) ; Auditors, the W.M. and Wardens of 348.

At the Tailoresses' Hall, Cook-street, on October 23 a combined meeting of the Trades and Labour Council and Committee of the Eight Hours' League was held to take into consideration the best means of assisting the engineers in Great Britain in their present struggle for the eight-hours day. Mr W. Johnston occupied the chair. It was resolved that a public meeting be held on Thursday evening next, in the Tailoresses' Hall, and a committee of three were appointed to arrange for the speakers. It was also resolved that 250 subscription lists be printed. A chairman, secretary and treasurer were appointed. Committees were also appointed to wait on the various organisations on their meeting night. A mass meeting of those in sympathy with the locked-oufc engineers in Great Britain was held at Wellington on October 23rd. The Premier wrote apologising for his inability to be present, and enclosing a cheque in aid of the fund. Sir R. Stout, Mr J. Hutcheson, M.H.R., and Mr Wilson, M.H.R., and several others delivered addresses. Sir R. Stout suggested that a month of self-denial should be arranged, during which the workers throughout the colony should abstain from the use of liquor and tobacco. On the basis of official statistics he calculated this would result in raising £30,000 or £40,000 to send Home. A resolution was passed expressing sympathy and support with the locked-out engineers, and a collection was taken up to swell the funds which are being raised to assist them. A demonstration was held in Hagley Park, Christchurch, on October 24 in support of the lockedout English engineers. About 6,000 people were present. A procession of 400 trades unionists and bandsmen paraded the streets, and addresses were given by Mr Ben Tillet and others. Resolutions were passed sympathising with the English engineers, and calling on the New Zealand Parliament to pass an Eight Hours Bill. A collection m aid of the loeked-out engineers was made. 4l letter was read from Bishop Julius, expressing sympathy, and forwarding a donation.