NEW ZEALAND NATIVES’ ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11593, 31 May 1898, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NATIVES’ ASSOCIATION.

The first annual meeting of the New Zealand Natives’ Association was heid at the Y.M.C.A, rooms last night. Mr VV. Reece, president of the Association, presided. The Secretary read the annual report, detailing the progress made by the Association since its inception. The report stated that the membership roll now exceeded 120. The result was very gratifying to the committee, who had at first found it difficult to enrol members in the Association before it had made any practical advancement towards carrying out the objects lor which it was formed. Negotiations were proceeding in the direction of engaging rooms and a suitable badge for members iiad been selected. It was proposed to hold a comerence of delegates of the various centres in Wellington very shortly, when probably an executive council of the Association in New Zealand would be formed to govern the various branches and draw up the constitutional rules, leaving each centre to form its own local rules. After dealing at length with the business of the Association, the report concluded by thanking Miss A. Carr for the useol her rooms for committee meet-, lugs. The President, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, thanked the Press of Christchurch for their cordial support, the columns of both papers having been thrown open in a most cordial manner. He spoke at some length of the benefits of the Association. The I’ev C. A. Fracr, in seconding the motion, referred to the splendid future of the Association and its excellent effect on its members. The motion was carried. The election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Mr \V. Reece; vice-pre-sidents, the Rev C. A. Fraer, Messrs H. J. lies wick and T. W. Stringer; honorary treasurer, Air W. Poison ; committee, Messrs E. M. Carr. T*. Clarkson, A. G. Henderson, G. J. C. Smart and D. Bates; honorary auditors, Messrs R. Duncan and W. Bergh. On the motion of Air Poison, it_ was resolved—“ That power be given to the General Committee to appoint delegates to the coming conference at Wellington. The mover referred to the necessity for the Christchurch centre being equally represented with the other centres, and urged the Association to stand out for the same representation as Auckland and Wellington. On the motion of Mr Carr, seconded by

Mr Cassidy, it was decided—“ That a subcommittee be appointed to draft rules, to be submitted to the Wettmgtoii conference for approval as the recommendations from the Christchurch centre.” Mr Capper moved —“That a letter be written to the Canterbury Industrial Association, congratulating diem upon their decision to hold an exhibition in jubilee year, and offering any assistance or representation on sub-committees, or in any other way within the power of this Association.” He suggested that it would be a good thing if the Association had a special court at the exhibition, and hoped that by that time it would be strong' enough for a thousand of its members to take part in the jubilee procession. The Rev C. A. Praer seconded the motion T which was carried. It was decided that the Secretary should be re-elected at the same remuneration as in the preceding year. At the conclusion oT the business refreshments were handed round, and songs and musical selections given by several of the members. The hall had teen very prettily decorated with flowers and shrubs by Mrs Fraer and Mrs W. Reece, anS a'Tiearfy vote of thanks was passed to these ladies.