LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1581, 30 November 1867, Page 2

LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

A general meeting of this society was held in the new Library on Thursday evening, at seven o'clock, for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year, drawing up rules, _c.

The meeting was numerously attended. Captain Gibson, the president of the society, occupied the chair. The Secretary read the minutes of tho annual meeting held July 18, 1867, which were confirmed. The Chairman, on opening the meeting, said that the committee appointed to draw up fresh rules had been guided to some extent by rules of other similar societies, which had been added to or aitured as the case required. He would read the rules, and afterwards take them seriatim. He hoped that any person objecting would at once discuss the matter fully. There was one difficulty whioh presented itself—as to the election of officers. The old rules stated that ea officer must be nominated

for a certain number of days before election. The first, rule ho should read was made to remedy this.

The Chairman then read tli.i new r ii,-■.-*,

As there appeared some doubt as to whether tho old rules wero still in existence, it wa* moved after considerable discussion—" That tho old rules be now abolished." T|,U resolu. tion was carried. The new rules were then put to tlie meeting seriatim, and agreed to with soma slight alterations. It was decided that captains and officers of ships should bo entitled, on being introduced by a member to the uso of the reading-room, and that, the' Librarian should attend from ten a.m. to four p ny, and again in the evening from sit to ten o'clock, daily, excepting Sundays. Tt was agreed that nil periodicals should bo laid on the reading-room tables for ono month before circulation.

The Chairman said that the Treasurer would not present n report on that occasion, but he (the chairman) had great pleasure in informing them that the balance in tho Bank was £9. and the whole debts on the building including all extras, only amounted to £173 12s 2d. He did not see much difficulty in liquidating this. Tho original contract was for £1190, and payments made amounted v £1200. ro

Dr. Donald rose to ask the meeting topaa. a vote of thanks to the president and officers fop the great work they had carried through. Ho we wished them to pass more than an ordinary vote of thanks for the energy with which* the officers had carried out" their duty especially the erection of the new building He moved that the Secretary be instructed to convey to Captain Gibson and tho other officers the thanks of the society for their efficient services, especially in tho erection of this building. The motion was put and carried. Captain Gibson, in rising to thank the meeting, said he had been a very humble mean, in assisting to erect the building, for the working part'he had had to depend on his colleague?. He was glad the building was up, as he believed' it would not be a difficult matter to get th. money. Tho meeting then proceeded to tho election of officers. Captain Gibson having stated that he could not act as president if elected again, _ _ § Donald and Mr E. A. Hargreanes were pro', posed. A ballot was taken, and resulted in tho. election of Dr. Donald by a majority of 31 to 16. Captain Gibson was elected vice-presi-dent. j Dr. Donald took the chair as president of [ the society, and Mr Balestiee was re-eleoted treasurer, and Mr Carder was chosen to act as secretary. The following gentlemen wore elected ag committeemen for the ensuing year, namoly Messrs J S. Willcox, E. England, D. Da-sio' H. Nalder, E. A Hargreaves, J. Ward, A. _. Gwatkin, J. Wilkin, C. W. H. Woledge, W. Kayner, J. Jenkins, and W Graham. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting dispersed at a late hour.