CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14307, 19 March 1912, Page 4

CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

Tho. first aumial general meeting of the Christchurch Citizens' Association was held last night, and was fairly well attended. Mr S. L. P. Free, tho president, was in tho chair.

The Executive Committee, in their Minimi report, stated that the present membership \v;:s 231. The income and expenditure account shewed .a deficit of .€l4 is Id. The expenditure included tlie cast of forming tlio Association and the expenses incidental to the -nunieipal and Drainage Hoard elections, as well as other matters of public interest. Referring to the question of enrolment, the executive remarked; — 'The first duty of every adult citizen is to enrol as a voter, and the nfcxt duty is to exorcise the privilege of voting'in the direction which will host ensure the advancement of tho city on sound and teonomical lines." In moving tho adoption of the report, tlio President remarked that ner.rly throe meetings per month weru held, which showed that the Association had been alive during the short period of its existence. Jf the objects of the Association were'fully appreciated, its membership should be at least ten tiPi«s as great as it was. Tho work tjie Association had set itself was, he thought, of the first importance, »»tiu lie- would like to see greater interest shown, in it. Anyone could spclrul n.oiie.v —it was tho easiest thing in The world —but everyone could not spend it wisely «nd wc!L The local authorities around Christchureh administered vnst sums of money in the course of tho year, and what was wanted was to see . tV.at thess funds were administered ably and well, and this could only Ik , dono, by selecting as candidates men ol high ideals, men who would not subordinate public interests to their own, or thoso of any particular class. Any association which attempted to do that deserved well of tho comiT.unitv. Referring to the approaching Tramway Board election he said that, to his mind, the Tramway Board had been almost an ideal institution ana there had been on it men of first-rate-business ability. Christchurch should be proud not only of its tramway system hut also of tho character of tho men who served on tho Tramway Board. Ho regretted to hear that some of tho ablest members of tho Board were not seeking re-election. Ho hoped that tho Association would bo able to induce men of equal standing to those not seeking ro-election, . to offer themselves as candidates and that th« Association Would endeavour to secure their return. He thanked the executive committee and ■ the officers for the assistance they had rendered him and he also thanked the secretary, Mr F. H. Labatt who had been, ho said, efficiency itself. He hoped the Association would receive the support that it deserved; if it did not the citizens would havo themselves to blame if their affairs are not managed in the future just as well as they ought to be. Mr T. N. Horsley seconded tho motion which was agreed to. Officers were elected as follows:—President, Mr F. E. Jones; vice-prcsidonte, Messrs W. Hay ward junr., and H. J. Otley; executive committee, Messrs W. Congrove, S. L. P. Free, J. D. Hall. John Hall, T. N. Horsley, A. Kaye, T. Kincaid. 11. M Macdonald, W. C. Aikcn, J. F. Needham, A. L. Parsons and J. Todhuntcr.

The chairman expressed regret that Mr Goorgo Gould, the honorary treasurer, ( would be prevented from continuing in tlio offico as he was lea\'ing for Homo shortly. They very much appreciated the work done by Mr Gould. It was decided to leave the appointment of tlio hon. treasurer to tljo incoming committee. It was decided to recommend tho incoming committee to take into consideration the question of tho health of the city especially in regard to existing nuisances.

On the motion of Mr W. Hayward junr., seconded by Mr F. E. Jones, it wsis decided :to place on record "the Association's- appreciation of tho able, manner in which Mr J. J. Dougall has carried out his mauy duties in connection with the mayoralty, and to express the hopo that, if Mr Dougall offers himself for re-election,■ the citizens will show their appreciation of his services."

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring president and the officers and committee of tho Association.