MEETINGS AND SOCIALS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16550, 16 June 1919, Page 8

MEETINGS AND SOCIALS.

-o ■ . , BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION. At the invitation of the Sumner Burgesses' Association, Dr. Thacker visited Sumner on Saturday evening and gave an address on the Canal Sohemo and Town Planning. Mr H. Buttle, president of. the Burgesees' Association, presided over . a very. good attendance. Dr. Thacker explained how the scheme would, affect Sumner, and detailed how a proper scheme of town-planning would add to the beauty of Christchurch and suburbs. Mr J. McCombs, M.P., who wits present, congratulated the Burgesses' Association on obtaining Dr. Th&ekcr to give such an excellent address. Mr J. B. Laurenson, in moving a vote of thanks to Dr. Thacker, stated that the present was t£o day when men with great views should bo encouraged. The vote of thanks was seconded by the chairman and carried by acclamation. TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION. At-the fortnightly • meeting of the Christchurch Technical College Past and Senior Students' Association, Mr "W. J. Dobba occupied the chair. Forty members were prosent. A debate was held on the subject "That the present agitation for National Prohibition, is against the' best interests of the_ community, and tends to the undue limitation of the citizen's liberty." The speakers for the affirmative were Misses E. Carter, M. A. Jennings, and D. Haworth, and, for the negative, Messrs E. R. Hudson, C. H. Fletcher, and D. S. Mitchell. Mr R. M. Laing acted as judee, and gave his decision in favour of the affirmative, awarding them 181 marks, and the negative 161. • In the general discussion following the debate, Messrs Dobbs, Wilson, and Goldsbury, and Miss Higgins look part. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Laing for his services as judge.

_ SYDENHAM SCHOOL. A combined meeting of the School Committee, teachers, and parents of tho children attending the Sydenham School, was held on Thursday, for tho purpose of discussing ! ways and means of raising funds for furnishing and lighting the new school, and tho lighting of tho schoolhouse. In tho absence of _the chairman, Mr T. H. Butterfield presided. A jumble sale was suggested, but Mr Bean, the headmaster, favoured a sale of work and concert. He considered that a jumble eal© alone would not raiss sufficient to provide what was required. On the motion of Mr Mc&allan it was decided to hold a. sale of work and conoert. Tho following stalls, and those in charge, were decided upon:—Woodwork Mr Bean; produce, Mr McGallan; book, Mr Pooro; jumble, Mr McKeon; sweets, Mrs Riaeley; fancy work, Miss XJoyd; plain srtall, Mrs Davey, sido shows, Mr T. H. Butterfield; refreshments, i Miss Poarson, It was decided that the concert be left in tho hands of Mr Ztfoble. SHIRLEY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. At the monthly meeting of the Shirley School Committee there were present—Messrs Thompson (chairman), Lorimer, Hoppy,,Barritt, Evans, Ward, and Don\ldson (hon. sec.). Corc-espondence was received from the Education Board, granting leave of abseAco to Miss Sapsfod, and also in connexion with the erection of a separate building for infants. The Caflit&rbury School Committees' Association forwarded a copy of their annual report. The chairman reported that lie had written to the Education Board in regard to the ridging and loose tilee on the school, and that the Board had furnished cjglit yards of screenings for the footpaths. Tiie | chairman's action in appointing Mr Robertson caretaker was approved. Tho Drainage Board's inspector had inspected the outbuildings and the creek, and objected to any water from the latrines entering the- creek. The headmaster's report etated the average attendance for May had been 410, and the roll number 465; also that tho teachers would give a children's party on the 20th inst. Tho chairman was authorised to make arrangements for gas being laid on to the school. Messrs • Lorimer and Barritt were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. After ' the routine business had transpired, matters in connexion with the forthcoming school fair were discussed.

LECTURE BY MB R. NAIRN. 1 There was a large audience at tho meeting I of the Workers' Educational Association on Saturday night, when Mr Robt. Nairn gave an interesting address on "Plants and their : Characteristics," the address being illustrated by a number of specimens of plants from all. parte of tho world. The address was designed to show as graphically as possible the wonderful adaptability or plants to form I characteristics suited to their environment, ' this particularly in relation to the leaf and ' general structure. A number of New Zea- ! land and Australian plants particularly i showed the powers they had of changing ! the shape and position of. their leaves to : suit changing climatic conditions. Plants ! were also exhibited which showed special ' characteristics enabling them to live in spite of tho tremendous competition they underwent against other plants. Mr Nairn also • exhibited specimens of parasites and epiphytee, and carefully. explained their peculiarities, his explanation creating considerable interest. A display of insect-catcbing plants was also made, and their trap 6 and the purpose of the traps was made the subject of a very interesting explanation, this portion of the address being listened to with particular attention. The speaker detailed eome of the methods by which plants protected themselves from the attacks of herbivorous animals, these defences usually taking the form of spines, thorns, and 6ccreted poisons. Mr A. H. Shrnbshall occupied the chair at ihe lecture, and on Mr E. J. Howard's motion i very hearty and appreciative vote of thanks | was passed to Mr Nairn for his interesting ' Kldreas,