MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11884, 6 May 1899, Page 8

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

A meeting of the St Saviour’s Mutual ' Improvement Society was held on Monday evening, the Rev H. M. Smyth (vice-presi-dent) in the chair. It was decided to hold the opening “ social ” on May 8. | The subject for the evening, Question; Box, raised considerable discussion. A meeting of the committee of the Children’s Aid Society was held on Thursday. Tho Secretary reported that the police had taken no action in regard to a case of cruelty to a child reported to them owing to the evidence being insufficient. The subject of children selling evening papers in the streets and hotels was brought up, and the fact that many engaged in the practice were under fourteen, the legal age at which children were allowed to enter employments, was commented on. The following resolution was passed:—“That in view of the evils attendant upon the young age of boys and girls selling evening papers in the streets and hotels, it is resolved that the City Council be asked to consider the advisability of issuing licenses for such sale; the age of the children so licensed to be somewhat in. accordance with the Factory Act. ’ The provisions of the Education Act were discussed, and the following resolution was passed: —“ That the Secretary be instructed to write to the Minister of Education and the Boards of Education' of Canterbury, asking'them to consider the desirability of raising the standard and the age at which children may leave public schools.” A meeting of Socialists was held on May 4 to celebrate the third anniversary of the founding of tho Socialist Church in Christchurch. Mr M’Culloch presided. Correspondence was read from the Canterbury Women’s Institute, .asking the Socialist Church to appoint delegates to a conference on the. subject of industrial Schools. Mr and Mrs M’Lennan were appointed. From the Progressive Liberal Association, the Socialist Church to assist in promoting the enrolment 1 of . voters under, the ■new Municipal Act. Mr H. A. Atkinson then read a paper on “What We Have to Do.” Miss Henderson followed with apaper on “The Industrial Position of Women,” in winch she advocated Government interference on behalf of the the raising of the school age, and technical education. Mrs M’Lennan read_ a paper on “ The Glory and Beauty cl Work Well Done.” Mr Chaplin, Mrs Atkinson, Mrs Blake and Mr Ensom addressed the meeting..